and then...along comes the association

When the Association was incorporated, their sophisticated six part harmonies embodied the shimmering California sound. Jules Gary Alexander, Terry Kirkman, Brian Cole, Russ Giguere, Ted Bluechel Jr, and Bob Page found each other performing at The Troubadour in Los Angeles and formed different groups like The Inner Tubes and The Men with numerous other artists. They caught a break with the single for 'Along Comes Mary' and were given the chance to record their first long player. Curt Boettcher produced, arranged, and even sang on the record which was released in July of 1966. When Valiant Records was acquired by Warner, 'And Then... Along Comes the Association' was re-released a year later.









www.theassociationwebsite.com









'Along Comes Mary' was written by Tandyn Almer and Alexander was hired to play on a demo for the song. It was originally a slow song, but Boettcher made it more uptempo.

"And does she want to set them free, and let them see reality
From where she got her name
And will they struggle much, when told that such a tender touch of hers
Will make them not the same
When we met I was sure out to lunch
Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch"










'Cherish' was a number one hit in Canada and the US.

"Oh, I'm beginning to think that man has never found
The words that could make you want me
That have the right amount of letters, just the right sound
That could make you hear, make you see
That you are driving me out of my mind
Oh, I could say I need you, but then you'd realize
That I want you, just like a thousand other guys
Who'd say they loved you with all the rest of their lies
When all they wanted was to touch your face, your hands
And gaze into your eyes"














'And Then... Along Comes the Association'
full album:




Side one

1. "Enter the Young" (Terry Kirkman) lead vocals: Kirkman 2:45
2. "Your Own Love" (Jules Alexander, Jim Yester) lead vocals: Giguere 2:19
3. "Don't Blame It on Me" (Don Addrisi, Dick Addrisi) lead vocals: Giguere 2:30
4. "Blistered" (Billy Edd Wheeler) lead vocals: Giguere 1:52
5. "I'll Be Your Man" (Russ Giguere) lead vocals: Giguere 2:48
6. "Along Comes Mary" (Tandyn Almer) lead vocals: Yester 2:46

Side two

1. "Cherish" (Kirkman) lead vocals: Kirkman 3:27
2. "Standing Still" (Ted Bluechel) lead vocals: Yester and Bluechel 2:47
3. "Message of Our Love" (Almer, Curt Boettcher) lead vocals: Kirkman 4:06
4. "Round Again" (Alexander) lead vocals: Kirkman and Giguere 1:49
5. "Remember" (Alexander) lead vocals: Yester 2:36
6. "Changes" (Alexander) lead vocals: Alexander 2:32