Harpers bazaar music group

Harpers Bizarre


Evolving from the Santa Cruz surf band, The Tikis, the original Harpers Bizarre emerged in late 1966 with a line-up comprising of lead vocalist/guitarist Ted Templeman, vocalist/guitarist Dick Scoppettone, vocalist/bassist Dick Yount, vocalist/guitarist Eddie James and former Beau Brummels drummer/vocalist John Peterson.

The Tikis had been signed to Tom Donahue's Autumn Records from 1965 to 1966 and had released two singles that failed to gain any attention.

The following year, record producer Lenny Waronker had heard Simon And Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and believed he could make it a hit.

The Tikis recorded it using an arrangement created by Leon Russell, and the song was issued under a new band name, Harpers Bizarre. The record became one of that year's biggest hits, peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #34 in the UK.

Follow-up success was harder to come by, with their next release, "Come To The Sunshine" stalling