Introduction to Moby Grape
Moby Grape burst onto the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco in 1966, instantly making a name for themselves as one of the most talented bands of the era. Forming at the height of the Haight-Ashbury counterculture movement, Moby Grape stood out for their exceptional musicianship and songwriting. The band consisted of Skip Spence, Jerry Miller, Bob Mosley, Peter Lewis, and Don Stevenson – five musicians with diverse influences that came together to create a new sound.
Though they only released three albums, Moby Grape left an indelible mark on rock music with their unique blend of rock, blues, country, folk and psychedelic experimentation. Their legendary debut album was released in 1967 to critical acclaim, showcasing the band’s three-guitar attack and stunning vocal harmonies. Songs like "Omaha" and "8:05" demonstrated their songwriting abilities, catchy hooks and musical virtuosity.
Despite their initial success, Moby Grape’s time in the spotlight was short-lived due to legal troubles, erratic behavior and band infighting. However, their enduring influence can be heard in countless artists they inspired, and their story stands as a cautionary tale of the excesses of fame. At their peak, Moby Grape created some of the most innovative rock music of the 1960s through their genre-bending sound and mastery of the craft. Though largely forgotten today, they helped define the San Francisco psychedelic scene and made a lasting impact as pioneers of the era.
The San Francisco Music Scene
In the mid-1960s, San Francisco was the epicenter of an exciting new music scene centered around psychedelic rock. Bands like the Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Big Brother and the Holding Company were pioneers of the psychedelic sound, blending rock music with elements of folk, blues, jazz and Eastern influences like sitars and tabla drums.
Lyrically, the music explored mystical, surreal and transcendental themes, with trippy, effects-laden guitar solos meant to evoke the experience of hallucinogenic drugs like LSD. Visually, psychedelic rock was represented by vivid, kaleidoscopic concert posters by artists like Wes Wilson and Rick Griffin that captured the free-spirited energy of the scene.
By 1966, San Francisco was the place to be for young people looking to tune in, turn on and drop out. The city’s Haight-Ashbury district became a magnet for hippies and bohemian youth, with bands playing free concerts in Golden Gate Park and the Fillmore West emerging as a leading psychedelic rock venue. It was in this creative, experimental environment that Moby Grape would form and leave their mark on rock history.
Formation of Moby Grape
Moby Grape came together in San Francisco in 1966, right at the peak of the psychedelic music explosion in the city. The band’s members already had impressive resumes, bringing experience from groups like Jefferson Airplane, The Great Society, and The Lovin’ Spoonful.
Guitarist Jerry Miller and drummer Don Stevenson joined forces after meeting in The Frantics, a Northwest band that had a following in San Francisco. Bassist Bob Mosley had spent several years playing with The Misfits. Rhythm guitarist Peter Lewis came from folk group The Cornells. And Skip Spence, who would play guitar and sing, had been a founding member of Jefferson Airplane.
These seasoned musicians fatefully converged in San Francisco in 1966. United by a love of R&B, country, and folk rock, they set out to form the quintessential San Francisco psychedelic band. Their three-guitar lineup gave them a full, orchestral sound. And their stellar harmonies and Spence’s soulful vocals added to the band’s unique blend of genres.
Though hastily put together by their manager Matthew Katz, the chemistry between these five musicians was undeniable. Moby Grape was born.
The Groundbreaking Debut Album
In 1967, Moby Grape released their highly anticipated self-titled debut album, Moby Grape. The album showcased the band’s unique sound, blending elements of rock, country, folk, and psychedelic music.
Moby Grape featured three talented guitarists – Jerry Miller, Peter Lewis, and Skip Spence. Their interplay and harmonies gave the band a distinctive sound. Songs like "Omaha" highlighted their ability to fuse rock riffs with country-influenced guitar picking.
Other key tracks on the debut album included "Hey Grandma," with its catchy melody and tight vocal harmonies, and "8:05," displaying the band’s psychedelic side with its experimental structure and abstract lyrics.
The album earned critical acclaim for its fresh take on rock, folk, and country. Reviewers praised Moby Grape’s outstanding songwriting and musicianship. Their innovative songs and blend of genres made the band stand out from other psychedelic rock groups in San Francisco at the time.
Moby Grape’s debut album demonstrated the band’s enormous potential and talent. The album’s critical and commercial success cemented Moby Grape’s status as a promising new force in rock music. Though their time in the spotlight would be short, the brilliance of their debut album endured as a testament to their significance as pioneers of psychedelic rock.
Rise to Prominence
Moby Grape rapidly rose to prominence after the release of their debut album in 1967. The record was immediately met with critical acclaim and commercial success, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard charts. Their unique blend of rock, country, blues, folk, and psychedelic music resonated with audiences hungry for something new.
The band made high-profile television appearances on The Tonight Show and American Bandstand in 1967, introducing them to a national audience. Their dynamic live performances also earned them invitations to major music festivals like the Monterey Pop Festival and Newport Folk Festival that year.
Moby Grape embarked on an ambitious international tour in late 1967 to support their debut album. They played shows across the United States, Canada, and the UK, gaining more exposure and fans. For a new band’s first tour, it was an impressive achievement to land spots at famous venues like the Fillmore Auditorium, Avalon Ballroom, and Whisky a Go Go.
Everything seemed to be going Moby Grape’s way as they became one of the most hyped and visible bands emerging from the San Francisco scene. With their early success, hit album, and non-stop touring, the future looked bright for the psychedelic rock pioneers. Unfortunately, it would be short-lived, as turmoil was brewing behind the scenes.
The Downfall
Moby Grape’s promising start was short-lived as the band rapidly declined due to erratic behavior, drug issues, and legal problems. Members began exhibiting increasingly bizarre behavior, exacerbated by escalating drug and alcohol abuse. Skip Spence’s mental health deteriorated sharply, displaying erratic and violent tendencies. The other members struggled with substance abuse issues as well.
The situation was made worse by ongoing conflicts with manager Matthew Katz. Katz signed the band to a restrictive contract that gave him total control over their music and earnings. The band tried to terminate this deal but Katz responded with multiple lawsuits that drained the band financially for years. These legal battles only added to the chaos and prevented Moby Grape from building on their early success.
By 1968, just a year after their acclaimed debut, the band was unraveling. Spence had left and the remaining members were struggling to function creatively and personally. Despite attempts to record new material, Moby Grape failed to replicate the magic of their first album. Without strong management or direction, beset by drug problems and lawsuits, the band went into a tailspin. From a promising start at the forefront of psychedelic rock, Moby Grape’s rapid decline was a tragic story of unfulfilled potential. The creative chemistry of the debut disintegrated as the members went from psychedelic pioneers to embittered victims of the darker side of the 1960s rock music business.
The Musical Legacy of Moby Grape
Moby Grape’s musical legacy and influence has only grown over time, despite their short initial career. Though underappreciated in their heyday, the band had a major impact on the psychedelic rock genre and inspired countless later bands.
Their unique fusion of rock, country, blues, folk and psychedelic experimentation made them ahead of their time. Moby Grape’s sound influenced the development of psychedelic and folk rock in the late 60s. Bands that came after them borrowed elements that Moby Grape had pioneered.
Over the years, famous artists have covered Moby Grape songs and cited them as an inspiration. Robert Plant, The Black Crowes, Yo La Tengo and other major rock bands have all expressed their admiration and performed covers of classics like "Omaha" and "Hey Grandma." This demonstrated the enduring appeal of Moby Grape’s catalog.
In recent decades, Moby Grape has also developed a strong cult following as their work gets re-appraised by critics and fans. Their records have been reissued to much acclaim, introducing them to new generations. The band is now rightly considered pioneers of the San Francisco psychedelic sound, alongside more famous groups like Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead. Though their career was short-lived, Moby Grape’s musical legacy continues to grow.
The Band Members
Moby Grape was originally composed of 5 key members who came from diverse musical backgrounds and brought unique talents to the group.
Skip Spence was one of the leading forces in Moby Grape’s early days. He played guitar and sang, while also writing some of their most famous songs like "Omaha." Spence had previously been a guitarist for Jefferson Airplane and was part of the burgeoning San Francisco psychedelic scene. After Moby Grape dissolved, Spence released solo albums and formed Moby Grape spinoff bands over the years. He struggled with mental illness and drug abuse, spending time in psychiatric hospitals. Spence passed away in 1999.
Jerry Miller was the co-lead guitarist who lent his bluesy, rock-influenced playing style to Moby Grape’s sound. Known for his innovative guitar work, Miller was considered one of the most talented guitarists to emerge from the San Francisco music scene. After Moby Grape, he played with various bands and also released solo albums, while still occasionally reuniting with other Grape members. Miller continues to perform and record music today.
Bob Mosley played bass and sang vocals as well as writing songs for Moby Grape like "Mr. Blues." His background was in jazz music. Post-Moby Grape, Mosley joined other bands and also worked outside music for a time. He still plays occasional shows with fellow surviving members.
Peter Lewis sang and played rhythm guitar in Moby Grape, adding folk and country influences. Lewis wrote key songs on their debut like "Indifference" and "Sitting by the Window." After the band’s breakup, he had a sporadic solo career and also briefly played with Skip Spence’s spinoff groups. Lewis remains active in music today.
Don Stevenson was the drummer and vocalist who completed Moby Grape’s three-guitar lineup. He brought his jazz drumming skills to the band. Stevenson continued as a session musician after Moby Grape and also released a solo album. He still performs with Jerry Miller on occasion.
Reunions and Revivals
Moby Grape’s original lineup reunited periodically over the years, playing live shows together and even releasing some new music. In 1971, the band got back together briefly to record 20 Granite Creek for Columbia Records. While it wasn’t a commercial success, the album demonstrated the band still had chemistry together musically.
Over a decade later in 1984, Moby Grape staged a full-fledged reunion tour with 4 of the 5 original members, including a notable concert at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco. This kicked off renewed interest in the band, including the release of some live recordings and compilations of their early work.
The various band members continued collaborating in different groupings over the following decades. Skip Spence unfortunately passed away in 1999 after a lifetime of mental health struggles. But in 2007, Moby Grape performed a 40th anniversary concert in San Francisco with the 3 remaining core members Jerry Miller, Peter Lewis, and Bob Mosley.
Most recently in 2016, Moby Grape played a set at the Monterey Pop Festival’s 50th anniversary, celebrating the event that helped launch their career back in 1967. Though some of the key original members have now passed on, the surviving bandmates still occasionally regroup as Moby Grape to keep their musical legacy alive. Their story embodies both the highs and lows of the psychedelic rock era.
Why Moby Grape Matters
Moby Grape holds an important but often overlooked place in rock history as one of the pioneers of psychedelic rock. Emerging from the vibrant 1960s San Francisco music scene alongside bands like Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead, Moby Grape made their mark with their brilliant songwriting, sharp musicianship, and blend of rock, folk, blues, country, and psychedelic influences.
What truly set Moby Grape apart was their stellar three-guitar lineup of Jerry Miller, Peter Lewis, and Skip Spence. Their guitar interplay and vocal harmonies gave Moby Grape a distinctive sound. Songs like "Omaha" and "Hey Grandma" highlighted their signature mix of catchy melodies, stellar guitar work, and psychedelic experimentation. Despite their brief career, Moby Grape produced a series of classic songs that stand the test of time.
Though their time in the spotlight was short-lived, marred by chaos and controversy, Moby Grape left behind an impressive musical legacy. Their seminal 1967 debut album is considered one of the masterpieces of the psychedelic era. Over the years, famous fans like Robert Plant and The Black Crowes have covered their songs, introducing Moby Grape to new generations.
In recent decades, there has been a renewed appreciation for this criminally underrated band. Their cult following recognizes that Moby Grape were ahead of their time and deserve to be remembered alongside the other greats of the San Francisco scene. For any fan of 1960s rock or the roots of psychedelia, discovering the music of Moby Grape is essential. Their outstanding songs continue to inspire with brilliant guitar workouts, sterling vocal harmonies, and visionary songcraft that was decades ahead of its time. Moby Grape produced some of the most enduring psychedelic rock music ever recorded, and their legacy continues to live on.