The Sunshine Company

The Sunshine Company was an American sunshine pop group from Los Angeles, California. Originally the duo of Mary Nance and Maury Manseau,^[1] the group signed to Imperial Records and released their debut album in 1967.^[2] 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.^[2] Bassist Larry Sims and drummer Merle Brigante later backed Loggins and Messina.^[2]

History

The group was discovered by band 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 released single, "Happy", charted at No. 50 nationally and the band put The Sunshine Company to its name. Guitarist Red Mark joined to form a quintet as the band released their top 40 hit "Back On the Street Again". The band never again achieved such success.

By the fall of 1967, the band released their debut LP under Imperial Records, titled Happy Is The Sunshine Company. It included their two charting singles and charted at No. 126 on the Billboard 200. In 1968, the group released their last top 100 charting single, "Look Here Comes The Sun", charting at No. 56. A further two albums were released in the year but success eluded the band. There was a proposed fourth album Think but The Sunshine Company broke up before recordings were complete.

Members

• Mary Nance - vocals
• Maury Manseau - vocals, guitar
• Douglas Mark - violin, guitar
• Larry Sims - bass guitar
• Merle Bregante - drums (usually referred to as Merel Brigante)
• Dave Hodgkins - acoustic guitar (1968)

Album discography

• Happy Is the Sunshine Company (Imperial Records, 1967) U.S. #126^[3]
• The Sunshine Company (Imperial, 1968)
• Sunshine & Shadows (Imperial, 1968)

Charting singles

• "Happy" (15 July 1967) U.S. #50
• "Back on the Street Again" (21 October 1967) U.S. #36^[4]
• "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. #111

References