Oldish Psych and Prog

In September they recorded their first album and their second single, a revival of Peggy Lee's 1958 hit Fever, made No. 7 in the U.S. and No. 44 in the U.K. Their debut album Hang On Sloopy also made No. 44 in the U.S. Album Charts. Meanwhile Bobby Petersen took over keyboard duties from Ronnie Brandon. Further minor hit singles followed in the US, although they enjoyed no further chart success in the UK. Initially they were still at school in Indiana because their parents forbade them to tour despite numerous offers. Finally they were persuaded by the Strangeloves to go on tour in the late spring of 1966 with ex-Token (of Lion Sleeps Tonight fame) Eddie Rabkin (who was a teacher) hired as their tutor. A few months later they toured with The Rolling Stones and began to jettison their image of youthful naivete with the psychedelic single Don't Worry Mother (Your Son's Heart Is Pure) in which they gave a tongue in cheek reassurance to their parents. However it fared disappointingly in terms of sales and the band returned briefly to their previous R&B style with their follow-up I Got To Go Back. A further psychedelic single Beat The Clock was issued to only minor success and the McCoys ended their association with Feldman, Gottehrer, and Goldstein and the ailing Bang records.
In 1968 in search ot more recording freedom they signed to Mercury Records and produced Infinite McCoys which was really their psychedelic album and the prime reason for their inclusion in this book. Their 45 Jesse Brady briefly entered the U.S. Charts at No. 98 but their next LP, Human Ball failed to chart. Both albums contain an eclectic (and beautifully played) mix of rock, jazz, blues, and psychedelia and are a far cry from the pure pop of their early releases.
In 1969 they became the house-band at Steve Paul's Scene Club in New York. Steve Paul became their manager and linked them with albino guitarist Johnny Winter who he also managed. By now Bobby Peterson had left the group, Rick Zehringer had changed his surname to Derringer and produced the LP Johnny Winter And... on which the remaining McCoys were the backing group. It made No. 154 in the U.S. and No. 29 in the U.K.. This was effectively The McCoys' last venture. Rick then joined Edgar Winter's White Trash and went on to record eight solo albums. He was also an in-demand session guitarist. ~ (Vernon Joynson/Stephane Rebeschini/Lloyd Peasley)