The Hard Times (band)
| The Hard Times | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Diego, California, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1965 - 1967 |
| Labels | World Pacific |
| Past members |
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The Hard Times were an American folk rock band formed in San Diego, California in 1965. Combining elements of folk, sunshine pop, and light psychedelia, the group became a well-attended attraction on the Sunset Strip as house band to music venues such as the Whisky A-Go-Go. They managed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 with a cover version of Allen Toussaint's song "Fortune Teller" in 1966.
Founding member Bill Richardson (lead guitar) was originally in a quintet known as the Prophets. Disappointed by the group's lack of success, Richardson, along with fellow member Bob Morris (bass guitar), recruited singer-songwriter Rudy Romero (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul Wheatbread (drums), and Lee Kiefer (tambourine) to form another band. Kiefer was inspired to name the group the Hard Times after the Josh White blues song of the same name.
They started developing a strong following in San Diego when manager Florence Stanley took interest to the Hard Times, and persuaded the group to relocate to Los Angeles. Performing at the music club the Sea Witch, the band honed their musicianship and became one of the more frequented attractions on the Sunset Strip. Their popularity earned them the opening slot at the Whisky A-Go-Go to kickoff concerts for Buffalo Springfield, the Doors, and Jimi Hendrix. Though the Hard Times did take the stage for several other clubs, it was at the Whisky A-Go-Go that the group was discovered by executives working for Dick Clark's music-based television program Where the Action Is. The band made numerous appearances on the show, resulting in a recording contract with World Pacific Records.
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