Don Irving

Donald Jay "Don" Irving (born 1946 in Pasadena, California) is an American musician, best known as a guitarist for rock band The Beau Brummels. He was a member of the band for their Beau Brummels '66 album and joined a revamped lineup for a 2002 concert tour.

History

Don Irving, the son of a career military man, spent his early childhood in Germany, before returning to California at age nine.^[1] His first band was The Showmen, where he played with Butch Engle, later of Butch Engle & the Styx.^[1] Irving then joined The Opposite Six, which featured Bill Champlin and two other future members of the Sons of Champlin.^[1] In 1965, he played on demos composed by Beau Brummels' lead vocalist, Sal Valentino.^[1] Touring had heightened tensions within the Beau Brummels and led to the departure of Declan Mulligan.^[2] Later that year, guitarist Ron Elliott was no longer able to perform live after suffering seizures from his diabetic condition.^[1] Elliott's father, who managed the Brummels as well as the Styx, was recommended by Engle to recruit Irving as a temporary replacement on the road.^[1][2] Irving became a permanent member in early 1966, and he performed on the band's third album—and first on Warner Bros. Records—Beau Brummels '66.^[1] He also played on the band's single, "One Too Many Mornings", a Bob Dylan cover.^[1] Drummer John Petersen recalled, "Irving was really cool. He played all of Elliott's licks perfectly. By then we had three albums and we were still a good draw but the vibes in the band weren't healthy. It was really strained. I would go out to Laurel Canyon and people weren't talking to each other. By the time we got sold to Warner Brothers, we weren't the same band anymore".^[2] Following the album's release, Petersen quit the band to join Harpers Bizarre,^[3] and Irving left when he received an induction notice into the armed forces.^[1] In 2002, Irving joined original members Valentino and Ron Meagher for a concert tour.^[1]

References