The Sunshine Company was an American sunshine popband from Los Angeles, California. Originally the duo of Mary Nance (November 7, 1947 – November 24, 2019)[2] and Maury Manseau,[3] the group later added the rhythm section of bassist Larry Sims and drummer Merel Bregante and signed to Imperial Records, releasing their debut album in 1967.[4] They scored three hit singles on the U.S. singleschart over the next two years before disbanding after their third album, 1968's self-titled effort.[4] Sims and Bregante later backed Loggins and Messina.[4]
The group was discovered by the manager of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bill McEuen. McEuen proposed they record a single, titled Up, Up and Away, which would have been released had not the 5th Dimension released their own top ten version. Their first single, "Happy", charted at number 50 nationally, while competing with another version by the Blades of Grass (which had less chart success). Guitarist Douglas Mark then joined to form a quintet as the band released their biggest hit, "Back On the Street Again" (#36 on Billboard), but the band never again achieved such success.
By the fall of 1967, the band released their debut LP on Imperial Records, titled Happy Is The Sunshine Company. It included their two charting singles and peaked at number 126 on the Billboard 200. In 1968, the group released their last top 100 charting single, "Look Here Comes The Sun", peaking at number 56. A further two albums were released in the same year but success eluded the band. There was a proposed fourth album, Think, but the Sunshine Company broke up before recordings were complete.
As of 2015[update], Bregante lives in Liberty Hill, Texas, where he has his own recording studio.[5] Sims died in December 2014.[6]
Nance, born in Champaign, Illinois, resided in San Pedro, California in her later years. She died on November 24, 2019, at the age of 72.[2]
Membersedit
Mary Nance - vocals (died 2019)
Maury Manseau - vocals, guitar
Larry Sims - bass guitar (died 2014)
Merel Bregante - drums (usually referred to as Merel Brigante)
sunshine, company, american, sunshine, band, from, angeles, california, originally, mary, nance, november, 1947, november, 2019, maury, manseau, group, later, added, rhythm, section, bassist, larry, sims, drummer, merel, bregante, signed, imperial, records, re. The Sunshine Company was an American sunshine pop band from Los Angeles California Originally the duo of Mary Nance November 7 1947 November 24 2019 2 and Maury Manseau 3 the group later added the rhythm section of bassist Larry Sims and drummer Merel Bregante and signed to Imperial Records releasing their debut album in 1967 4 They scored three hit singles on the U S singles chart over the next two years before disbanding after their third album 1968 s self titled effort 4 Sims and Bregante later backed Loggins and Messina 4 The Sunshine CompanyThe Sunshine Company in 1967Background informationOriginLos Angeles California United StatesGenresSunshine pop 1 Years active1967 1967 1968 1968 LabelsImperial RecordsPast membersMary Nance Maury Manseau Larry Sims Merel Bregante Douglas Mark Dave Hodgkins Contents 1 History 2 Members 3 Discography 3 1 Albums 3 2 Charting singles 4 References 5 External linksHistory editThe group was discovered by the manager of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Bill McEuen McEuen proposed they record a single titled Up Up and Away which would have been released had not the 5th Dimension released their own top ten version Their first single Happy charted at number 50 nationally while competing with another version by the Blades of Grass which had less chart success Guitarist Douglas Mark then joined to form a quintet as the band released their biggest hit Back On the Street Again 36 on Billboard but the band never again achieved such success By the fall of 1967 the band released their debut LP on Imperial Records titled Happy Is The Sunshine Company It included their two charting singles and peaked at number 126 on the Billboard 200 In 1968 the group released their last top 100 charting single Look Here Comes The Sun peaking at number 56 A further two albums were released in the same year but success eluded the band There was a proposed fourth album Think but the Sunshine Company broke up before recordings were complete As of 2015 update Bregante lives in Liberty Hill Texas where he has his own recording studio 5 Sims died in December 2014 6 Nance born in Champaign Illinois resided in San Pedro California in her later years She died on November 24 2019 at the age of 72 2 Members editMary Nance vocals died 2019 Maury Manseau vocals guitar Larry Sims bass guitar died 2014 Merel Bregante drums usually referred to as Merel Brigante Douglas Mark violin guitar Dave Hodgkins acoustic guitar 1968 Discography editAlbums edit Happy Is the Sunshine Company Imperial Records 1967 U S 126 7 The Sunshine Company Imperial 1968 Sunshine amp Shadows Imperial 1968 Charting singles edit Happy 15 July 1967 U S 50 8 Back on the Street Again 25 November 1967 U S 36 9 Look Here Comes the Sun 10 February 1968 U S 56 Let s Get Together 18 May 1968 U S 112 On a Beautiful Day 27 July 1968 U S 106 Willie Jean 19 October 1968 U S 111References edit Goldenburg Joel February 27 2016 Joel Goldenberg Sunshine pop offered some respite from 60s strife The Suburban a b Read Mary Lorraine Nance Ulrich s Obituary amp Leave Condolences Everloved com Retrieved January 9 2020 Roxon Lillian 1972 Lillian Roxon s Rock Encyclopedia Grosset amp Dunlap p 475 ISBN 0 448 00255 8 a b c Ankeny Jason The Sunshine Company Biography AllMusic All Media Network Retrieved 7 May 2016 Bolanos Christine 30 April 2015 Studio owner making hits in Liberty Hill The Liberty Hill Independent Johnson Kevin 18 December 2014 In Memoriam Larry Sims No Treble Top LP s Billboard 79 49 60 9 December 1967 ISSN 0006 2510 Whitburn Joel 2013 Joel Whitburn s Top Pop Singles 14th Edition 1955 2012 Record Research p 817 The Sunshine Company Chart History Billboard 25 November 1967 ISSN 0006 2510 External links editThe Sunshine Company discography at Discogs The Sunshine Company at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Sunshine Company amp oldid 1209047598, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
