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

In 1966, The Kirby Stone Four joined forces with The Tokens (best known for their rendition of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight') to record 'Life Is Groovy', which eventually led to an album of the same name.

This was a time of change for The Kirby Stone Four: Their contracts with the major record labels, Columbia and Warner Bros., had ended and the music scene was changing - as was the line-up of the group. For at least a decade, the group had consisted of Kirby Stone, Michael Gardner, Eddie Hall and Larry Foster. It was around this time that Larry decided to leave the group and resume his career as an impressionist, and he was replaced by Jimmy Hassell. As a result, although Larry's name is listed on the album, photos from this time include Jimmy.

This collaboration between the Kirby Stone Four and The Tokens, referred to as the U.S. Double Quartet (aka United States Double Quartet) was an attempt to modernise the sound of the group by "blending the "HEP" with the "HIP" generation (taken from the album's liner notes). Although it didnt achieve the same type of success that had been seen with songs such as Baubles, Bangles And Beads, Life Is Groovy was popular enough to be included on the 2004 CD The Very Best Of The Tokens 1964 1967

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kirby Stone
• Kirby Stone Four
• The Tokens
• Life Is Groovy

[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!

[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.

[tremsfan]

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

[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.

[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]

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....

[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

[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.