The Family Tree -

The Family Tree was a Canadian–American psychedelic pop band that made the 1968 concept album Miss Butters on RCA Victor. Frontman Bob Segarini headed the subsequent bands Roxy and The Wackers.

Members: Bob Segarini (vocals, guitars), Michel Dure (vocals, keyboards), Vann Scater (drums), Jimmy de Cocq (guitars, keyboards), Bill Trochim (bass)

Background

The Family Tree formed in late 1965 in Northern California when singer-guitarist Bob Segarini teamed with bassist Bill Whittington, organist Mike Olsen, and drummer Newman Davis.

Segarini previously played in the Ratz with guitarist Gary Grubb and recorded with the Us for Autumn Records under producer Sylvester Stewart. Whittington came from the Merced garage-rock group the Brogues, which disbanded amid military call-ups. Olsen previously played with the Sentinals and guitarist Joel Scott Hill. The Family Tree initially rehearsed at the Segarini family home in Stockton.

Bill Graham booked the Family Tree for three Fillmore appearances in March 1966 alongside Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and the Great Society. The group played additional engagements in Oregon and Los Angeles, where they secured a residency at the Whisky a Go Go.

Guitarist Mike Dure joined for the initial Mira Records sessions and co-wrote “Live Your Own Life” with Segarini. Whittington, Davis, and Olsen subsequently left the group. Segarini and Dure recruited drummer Vann Slatter from the Stockton R&B group Gary Wagner and the Night Beats. They added bassist Bill “Kootch” Trochim, a Reno musician from the Justus 5 and the Nevada casino circuit, and keyboardist Jimmy DeCocq.

Mira Records signed the Family Tree in 1966 and issued “Prince of Dreams” (b/w “Live Your Own Life”) in September. The group recorded eight additional tracks at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood for a proposed Mira album. RCA press agent Patty Faralla presented the tapes to RCA Victor, which signed the band and assigned producer Rick Jarrard. RCA issued in April 1967 “Do You Have the Time” (b/w “Keepin’ a Secret”).

Faralla also introduced Segarini to singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, who co-wrote “Butters Lament.” Segarini developed the Miss Butters concept in Stockton, where he wrote the proposed album. RCA enlisted arranger George Tipton to collaborate with Jarrard on the project. The Family Tree entered RCA Studios in Hollywood to record Miss Butters.

Discography:

Miss Butters (1968)

Sources:

References and notes

Bob Segarini — “Tales from Three Cities.” First-person account of the Stockton rehearsals, departure of Whittington, Davis, and Olsen, and recruitment of Vann Slatter and Bill Trochim. (Segarini: Don’t Believe a Word I Say)
Bob Segarini — “The BobChart – Week 12.” Segarini recounts the Jades, Ratz, Us, and the Autumn Records session with Sylvester Stewart and engineer John Haeny. (Segarini: Don’t Believe a Word I Say)
Garage Hangover — “The Family Tree.” Traces the Ratz/Brogues connection, original Family Tree lineup, Mira single, eight Gold Star tracks, and transition to RCA. (Garage Hangover)
Bill Graham Memorial Foundation — Show Archive. Documents Family Tree appearances at the Fillmore in March and April 1966. (Bill Graham Foundation)
Bob Segarini — “Bob Yodels Up the Canyon Part One.” Segarini describes the Family Tree as the Whisky a Go Go house band and recalls the search for the Mira and RCA contracts. (Segarini: Don’t Believe a Word I Say)
45cat — The Family Tree singles discography. Confirms Mira 228 in September 1966 and RCA Victor 47-9184 in April 1967. (45cat)
Cash Box — April 29, 1967. Contemporary trade-paper review of RCA Victor 47-9184, “Do You Have the Time” b/w “Keepin’ a Secret.” (Retro CDN)
Bob Segarini — “Bob Remembers Harry and Patty.” Identifies Patty Faralla as an RCA press agent, credits her with bringing the Mira demos to RCA, names Rick Jarrard as producer, and recounts the Nilsson connection and “Butters Lament.” (Segarini: Don’t Believe a Word I Say)
Bob Segarini — “The Home Tour Part One” / “Denny Tedesco and the Story of The Wrecking Crew Movie.” Places the composition of Miss Butters in Stockton and supplies the RCA Hollywood/George Tipton recording context. (Segarini: Don’t Believe a Word I Say)