The Association

The Association is an American pop rock band from California. During the late 1960s, the band had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts (including "Windy", "Cherish", "Never My Love" and "Along Comes Mary") and were the lead-off band at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival. They are known for intricate vocal harmonies by the band's multiple singers. Their best-known lineup included Terry Kirkman (vocals, woodwind instruments), Russ Giguere (vocals, guitar), Jim Yester vocals, rhythm and lead guitar), Jules Alexander (vocals, lead and rhythm guitar), Brian Cole (vocals, bass) and Ted Bluechel Jr. (vocals, drums), with Larry Ramos replacing Alexander in early 1967. History Beginnings Jules Alexander was in Hawaii in 1962 serving a stint in the Navy when he met Terry Kirkman, a visiting salesman. The two young musicians jammed together and promised to get together once Alexander was discharged. That happened a year later; the two eventually moved to Los Angeles and began exploring the city's music scene in the mid-1960s, often working behind the scenes as directors and arrangers for other music acts. At the same time, Kirkman played in groups with Frank Zappa for a short period before Zappa went on to form the Mothers of Invention.