The Kirby Stone Four (1966) - Life Is Groovy (With The Tokens)

[AFOSAWIPS]

Interesting to hear from people so closely associated with this song. I still have the original 45 in its original sleeve.

[RaffAff]

I wrote this song with my cousin Steve and it was taken by April-Blackwood publishing. I'll never forget walking out of the elevator in the building where the Tokens had their office and the song was playing loudly in the hallway. What an exciting experience. At the time I was teaching music at Sands Point Academy and my students heard this song and many others, from the original demos, to the final product.

[bluewombat2]

This song was adapted for a Dodge commercial in the summer of 1968. Although a rough adolescent romance wound up souring summer's end, I still associate this song with the early happier and more sunlit part. Haven't heard this music in 42 years; it's a thrilling blast from the past to hear it again.

[GeneFinz]

So good to find LIFE IS GROOVY on YouTube. It will be a great permanent memorial to my brother, its lyricist, Steve Finz who, along with my cousin Ralph Affoumado, composed this song in the 60s. Our family and his friends continue to mourn Steve's untimely death last September. Though it was short, there is no question: his life was groovy. Rock on, Bro.

Love ya, Ralph.

--Gene

[tremsfan]

I actually have a DJ copy of this song, with white label and "Split' as the B-side. I never heard this on the radio, but liked the Tokens and have some other obscure stuff by them..for example, when they recorded as Margo, Margo, Medress and Siegel....

[NBCRecords]

FYI, The Tokens and KS4 recorded a full album together (also called Life Is Groovy), with 'Split' also included.

The single version of 'Split' has a little studio chatter at the beginning and end of the song which is not found on the album.

[tremsfan]

@NBCRecords Hi= sorry for delay in responding, thanks for that info !! I wish they were more prolific during the 60's....

[dbkarron]

Hi Mr. Ralph Affoumado !

I was in your 5 and 6th grade music class ! I remember when you were so proud of this piece and it collided with an almost epymonous piece by another duo.

I also graduated from NYU after like 18 years ! I love the piece! I So nice to hear it again Cheers!

Dr K a/k/a f/k/a Danny Karron

[celticmonk]

I was friends with Jimmy Hassell back in the early 90s. He passed on a few years back down in Texas.

[AGGeiger]

Oh, you're welcome -- the song evokes a very special time in my own life, and generally for the lives of anyone who was on the Sands Point Academy compus in 1967; we kept Mr. Affoumado's secret hidden in plain sight, as it were. Oh, and the co-author, Steve Finz, was Ralph's cousin, I believe; as for Mr. Affoumado, he's currently the head of choral singing at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.

[AGGeiger]

I love the video. This song was co-authored by Ralph Affoumado, who was the music teacher at Sands Point Academy, where the management would not have appreciated his having created a "long-haired hippy rock & rock song" -- so every kid at the school knew the song, and we were playing it all the time, and all as part of a big "secret" hidden from the school's owner and administration -- plus, it's a GREAT song and a great performance.

[NBCRecords]

A great story - thanks for sharing!

[LostHits54]

I heard this song, only once I think, on the radio in late '66 and didn't know the arist. In the next few years I heard "I hear Trumpets Blow" and "Baubles Bangles and Beads" and both reminded me of this song. Not until the 80s, when I consulted an oldies book did I find out why. And not until ~2006 did I actially hear this song again - on the web.

[cliffordgardner]

My dad, Mike Gardner, was in the Kirby Stone Four. I thought I had all his albums, or had at least heard all the songs the group recorded. I have never heard this one, nor did I know they recorded an album with The Tokens. Thanks so much! Any idea where I can get a copy of the album?

[NBCRecords]

Hi Cliff,

I had the pleasure of meeting your dad in 2000 in San Francisco (I also caught up with Eddie Hall as well as Kirby's brother and daughter onthe same trip)

I'd be more than happy to send you a copy of any of your dad's material that you don't already have.

Best wishes,

NBC

[cliffordgardner]

Thanks for your very gracious reply! As for your kind offer, I accept. I do not really know what I'm missing, only what I have (11 albums: 6 for Columbia and 1 each for or Zenith, Golden Tone, Cadence, Kimberly and Warner Brothers Records, and a few singles). Is there is a list somehwere with everything the the group recorded? I certainly don't want to impose on you, but any guidance as to what I am missing, and how I could replace it, would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Cliff

[NBCRecords]

Hi Cliff,

I have posted a message in your youtube inbox with my contact details. Please let me know if you don't receive it, as youtube seems to have a block on anything that resembles an email address.

Take care and I hope to hear from you soon.

NBC

[NBCRecords]

I agree - it's a pretty cool song too. Actually, the two songs from the single are by far the best songs on the whole album (IMHO).

[fromthesidelines]

I liked the flip side of this single, "Split"...

[ronald2394]

I asked people on this site if they had ever heard of this track. The people at CBS must have got wind of my request and added this vid for me. Great people at CBS. We used this track on our disco in Liverpool UK. Takes me back to the great sixties in the cavern.

[ronald2394]

The people at CBS records put this track on for me. What a superb thoughful company they are. They out of their way to make someones day....Thank you CBS.