The Magic Mushrooms

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The Magic Mushrooms was an American psychedelic garage rock band in the 1960s. The Magic Mushrooms were originally composed of 5 students from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They were:

• Joe Lacavera (Drums),
• Stu Freeman (Vocals and Guitar),
• Ted Cahill (Lead Guitar and Autoharp),
• Dick Richardson (Keyboards) and,
• Charles Ingersol (Bass).

They came together shortly after they started their freshman year and practiced in the freshman commons until they started playing gigs. They named themselves the Magic Mushrooms after Allen Ginsberg suggested that name during an on-campus lecture in the fall of 1965 (magic mushrooms are mushrooms containing a psychedelic drug). In the Spring of 1966, they were joined by Josh Rice (Vocals, Flute, Harmonica), who had been the lead singer of a competing band on the Penn Campus, and 2 or 3 months after Josh arrived, Dick and Charles left the band, and were replaced by Bob Grady and Chris Barbieri, on keyboards and bass, both of whom had been in a band with Stu for a couple years previously.

The band was heard by Sonny Casella while playing at Drexel University later in the Fall and he signed on as the Manager shortly thereafter. They played mostly around the Philadelphia area into the Spring of 1966, most of their bookings being arranged by their new manager.

They released the single "It's A-Happening"('B' side- Nevermore), in September 1966. A Zappa-esque piece of psychedelic madness, the single hit #93 in the American charts. It became popular in garage circles, and was included on the Nuggets compilation in 1972.

"It's A-Happening" was written by Stu Freeman and Josh Rice. Sonny Cassella produced, arranged and mixed the song. When Herb Alpert of A&M Records found out what Magic Mushrooms were, he pulled the record off the market because the band would not change their name.