Terry Kirkman

Terry Kirkman is name-checked on the cover of "Freak Out!" (1966) under the heading "These People Have Contributed Materially In Many Ways To Make Our Music What It Is. Please Do Not Hold It Against Them". Kirkman, a Kansas-born, California-raised music major (proficient on upwards of two dozen instruments) was a member (lead guitar), together with Russ Giguere (percussion), Gary "Jules" Alexander (lead guitar), Ted Bluechel (drums), Larry Ramos, Jim Yester (rhythm guitar,brother of Jerry Yester), and Brian Cole (bass), of The Association (formed in 1965, in Los Angeles). Considering their lightweight image in the later 60's, the Association made a controversial entry into the music market with "Along Comes Mary" - apart from its virtues as a record,with great hooks and a catchy chorus, it was propelled to the #7 spot (US) with help from rumors that the song was about marijuana. No one is quite certain of what songwriter Tandyn Almer had in mind, and one wonders how seriously any of this was taken at the time, in view of the fact that the song became an unofficial sports anthem for Catholic schools named St. Mary's.