Jan Errico
| Jan Errico | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Jan Ashton, Janet Errico |
| Instrument(s) | Drums |
| Years active | 1960s – ? |
Jan Errico is a drummer and singer who was a member of two San Francisco rock groups in the 1960s, The Vejtables and The Mojo Men.
Background[edit]
Errico is the daughter of Vincent Errico who, himself was an accomplished drummer.[1][2] She is the cousin of Greg Errico, the original drummer for Sly and the Family Stone.[3] It has been written that she changed her name from Errico to Ashton to sound more British.[4]
Female drummers in rock bands in that era were rather rare.[5]
Career[edit]
In 1962 or 1963, when she was around age 12, she recorded the single "It Was A Lie" (bw "Come Along With Me") for the Shelby Records label. The backing group was credited as The Twilights, who were really Joe Piazza and the Continentals.[6][better source needed]
By 1964, she was a member of The Vejtables, both singing backup and playing drums.[7] While with the Vejtables she contributed to a good part of their written material including their minor hit, "I Still Love You", which she sang lead on.[8][9] By November 13, 1965 the song had spent four weeks in the charts, eventually reaching no 84.[10] She also sang lead on the group's take of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind".[11]
It appears that at some stage in 1966, there may have been a brief change of direction for her in attempting a solo career. A single "Cold Dreary Morning"/"Smile, Smile, Smile" was recorded but Autumn Records never released it.[12]
Errico joined the Mojo Men around spring 1966,[13] replacing the band's drummer Dennis DeCarr.[14] In 1967, she and the band recorded 20 songs in one day at Coast Recorders.[15]
The last single released by the group then known as The Mojo was "Everyday Love" bw There Goes My Mind in 1970.[16]
Solo discography[edit]
| Title | Credited artist | Release | Label | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "It Was A Lie" | Janet Errico | "It Was A Lie" / "Come Along With Me" | Shelby Records (C-45-2C) | (c) 1962/1963 | [17] |
| "Smile, Smile, Smile" | The Vejtables | Feel... The Vejtables | Sundazed Music SC 11031 | 1995 | |
| "Cold Dreary Morning" | The Vejtables | Feel... The Vejtables | Sundazed Music SC 11031 | 1995 | [18] |
References[edit]
- ^ The Times, Monday, March 21, 1960 - Page 13
- ^ San Francisco Chronicle, April 15, 2005 - Vincent A. Errico, Obituary
- ^ NPR, August 18, 2011 - Sly Stone: The Early Days In The East Bay - Ed Ward
- ^ Record Turnover, January 28th, 2011 - Sit Down, I Think I Love You
- ^ Guía Del Pop Y El Rock 60, Aloha Poprock, By Antonio Méndez - Page 386 Vejtables, The. Estados Unidos
- ^ Reverb Central - Janet Errico and the Twilights - It Was A Lie c/w Come Along With Me
- ^ The San Francisco Sound, Friday, November 26, 2010 - THE VEJTABLES FAMILY TREE
- ^ Billboard - ARTISTS / The Vejtables, BIOGRAPHY
- ^ Fuzz Acid and Flowers Revisited: Comprehensive Guide to American Garage Psychedelic and Hippie Rock (1964-1975), Vernon Joynson - Page 15
- ^ Billboard, November 19, 1965 - Page 30 Billboard HOT 100
- ^ Fuzz Acid and Flowers Revisited: Comprehensive Guide to American Garage Psychedelic and Hippie Rock (1964-1975), Vernon Joynson - Page 15
- ^ Allmusic - Jan Ashton Biography by Richie Unterberger
- ^ Jingle Jangle Morning: Folk-Rock in the 1960s, By Richie Unterberger- -
- ^ The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Colin Larkin - Page 2872
- ^ If These Halls Could Talk, Heather Johnson - Page 6
- ^ Las Solanas - The Mojo Men, Singles
- ^ Reverb Central - Janet Errico and the Twilights - It Was A Lie c/w Come Along With Me
- ^ Discogs - The Vejtables – Feel... The Vejtables