The American Dream (self-titled)
Todd Rundgren produced this lost Philadelphia band’s only album back in 1970 off the Ampex record label. The American Dream’s album blends power pop, lite psychedelia, blazing hard rockers, folk-rock and roots music effectively throughout its 12 songs (almost 50 minutes of good music!).
Key influences are not a surprise, as listeners may hear strands of Crosby Stills Nash and Young, the Nazz, and the Beatles. The playing is full of youthful energy and the band manages to balance out hard rockers with attractive folk-rock power ballads. Raspberries has a slight psychedelic hangover, as it begins with a phased drum intro and showcases some wigged out guitar playing. Other quality songs like the Other Side, Storm (full of great Beatles-like melodies), I Ain’t Searchin’ and I Am You are predominately acoustic, tastefully arranged and have some great hook laden CSNY harmonies. Good News, a song that begins with a telephone conversation, eventually segues into some pretty country-rock harmonies. It’s a typical relationship hard rocker in which the band humorously shouts out “don’t be a jerkoff” at the end of the chorus. The third track of the original lp is the real highlight of this very solid collection. Big Brother has classic late 60′s psych lyrics (“listen to the words he is saying, conjuring the games he is playing”) and intense early Who power chords (it really sounds like an excellent Nazz outtake) that make it a real killer and a treat for fans of British rock.
The American Dream stood out from the local crowd with their strong, exciting songwriting and 3 guitar lineup. From this point, my knowledge of the American Dream ends. Can anyone provide further info on this great lost American band? Were there prior or post American Dream bands and did they release any singles or albums?
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“Big Brother”
Original Vinyl | 1970 | Ampex | search ebay ]
[ American Dream on Myspace ]
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Well done to the AD for being so well loved and remembered as to warrant a hundred blog comments. It’s great to see a local outfit recalled with such affection. Unlikely it’ll ever happen again? Still, who knows?
Nice to hear the group is still remembered I still see some oif the gang Mickey Brook was my drummer in my band Valentine from 1973 to almost 1975 he was a wonderful happy person who we all loved and he is missed I wonder what happened to his Son Michael he was very yung then. I still see Nick quite a bit bumped into Winkle a few years ago when I was working on a reality show, have never heard from Don Ferris , and i jammed with Nicky when I was in Philly . I must say they were a very tight band and great fun to watch. RIP Mickey . Ciao Frankie
I liked you song about the Frankford El On You Tube you guys did a hell of a Job and Don If you lived in Juniata Park back in the day I Lived at 4136 Claridge street I now reside in Clermont Florida
I recently recieved a copy of the CD from my brother which brought back so many memories. I remember seeing them at the Jardel Dance. There is no one from Phila who was a teen at the time who doesn’t remember the band.
I read about the popularity of the Beatles in Liverpool before their international success, and it reminds me of the love and pride we had of the American Dream. Great memories!
My question of the day Are you the same Don Van WInkle who lived at 4142 Claridge street in Juniata Park I lived at 4136 Claridge Street form 1955 till 1967 when I went into the service
My name is Fred M (MIKE) Pohl I now reside in Clermont Florida I like your song “Frankford El’
I and some of my photos are on facebook of the Frankfrod El I have beena rail enthiuast since my draft bait days and Some guys I ran with worked and now have retired from SEPTA
Just received news today that cdbaby is now selling downloads of Don Lee Van Winkles
‘Fallin Idol.”
I’m hoping for a CD re-release. For now you can listen and download at the site below.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/donleevanwinkle2
Peace,
Paul Scull
American Dream fans, my dear friend, Don Ferris, bass player of the band has terminal cancer. If anyone has any memories they would like to share, please do so. He appreciated that the band still had so many fans so many years later.
Shelly, Don –
Sorry to hear that. I hope that maybe you can have a big turnaround. But whatever happens, I’ll pray for you and wish you, your friends and family that you can all find some strength, some calm and some peace and somehow cope with something we all will face some day.
I hope it’s not wrong to tell you that your condition is NOT terminal. You and your band members will live forever while “you ain’t looking for to score.” That’s one of the best songs ever, really. Perfect place and time, too. You felt our hearts and played it back to us. The El was a hoot — and truly something we all call our own. We should pity those that can’t appreciate that. Hey, I got a kick out of Rasperries. Thanks for sharing this, Shelly.
Gary
Don,
Thank you for giving me and my friends some great memories and music! You’ve certainly left your mark in this world and its a better place for it. To this day, when I get together with my friends in Philly, we still sing to the songs on the album.
Tim
Don,
I’m so very sorry to hear this news. I’ll never forget you or the band.
I just learned how to play ” I’ Ain’t Searching” for a new band I’m putting together.
Think we will probably do the Hatfield Medley “My Babe” and Storm. It’s hard to choose when you
like everything on the album. One of my favorite American Dream memories is seeing you play at The Atlantic City Pop Festival. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hope we get to jam on the otherside !
Peace,
Paul Scull
So very sorry to hear that Don is unwell. He is a great bass player, for sure, fantastic player.
Don, do not give up hope, ever. There is a guy, Larry ‘Rhino’ Rheinhart who used to play guitar with Captain Beyond and the Iron Butterfly who was given less than a year to live some seven years or so ago with a very serious illness and who is still around and making albums!
Thanks for all your kind comments and memories of Don Ferris. I shared them all with him and his family.
Don passed this morning….11/14/1950 – 4/27/2011…RIP my kind gentle and tender friend.
Dear Shelley,
Thank you for letting us know and for sharing our comments and wishes.
May he rest in peace. Hope you will still check in here every now and then.
Peace,
Paul Scull
“The Other Side” streamed on SoundCloud.com
http://soundcloud.com/clutch-cargo/the-other-side
American Dream track from their Bearsville L.P. – 1970.
For their bassist, Don Ferris who passed away.
11/14/50 – 4/27/11
RIP dear brother.
Check out their sounds & story here:
http://www.myspace.com/americandream2
everytime i listen to there songs it brings back great memories, i now all weekend will bring out the A.D. cd i burned and listen for a couple weeks. they had to be the best one album band in the history of rock and roll
I’m sorry to hear this sad news.
Don Ferris was a hero to me when I was a kid. I always was a fan of his bass playing. He certainly was an influence on my own playing.
I will be playing with Winkle tonite at Bobby Burgers in Conshocken, PA. I’ll try to channel some of Don’s bass energy in honor to him.
Very sad to hear of this news. Really upset by it.
All condolences and all good things to Don’s famly and to all the fans of the American Dream.
It was a week ago Wednesday that Don Ferris passed away. His family asked me to thank everyone for their kindness and for sharing memories of Don and the American Dream. We will never forget him. He was a great guy.
Come on, who’s got a line on getting this as digital download? Todd fans will recall the cut he included on the promo LP “Todd Rudgren Radio Show’
Come on, somebody, please…I really, really need to get this music…
Go to my website http://www.animationbytim.com/ and you’ll see the American Dream album click on the article and you’ll see links to download all of the songs which I digitized and cleaned up.
All I ask is that you make a donation to the American Cancer Society in Don’s honor. There’s a link to it on my site.
Enjoy!
Here’s my buddy “Boots” Walker’s Remaster from vinyl:
http://www.mediafire.com/myfiles.php#glmv9nfvbjtyf,1
There’s also a Japanese CD version out there…IF ya can find it.
It’s STILL one of the greatest records ‘never heard’
Stay away from the Japanese CD of “The American Dream.” Horrible transfer from analog to ditgital. Best to just burn a copy of the vinyl to CD.
Been a fan of “the Dream” since I saw them do the concert in the park (Pennypack in Philly) eons ago. I have 2 copies of the album, one is played to hell and the other is sealed. I also managed to grab a copy of the Japanese CD which isn’t that terrible but I do agree, I was thinking about opening the sealed copy and transferring it myself. (I re-did some of Alan Mann, Bricklin, Soul Survivors etc for the band members and for CD compilation purposes where the masters couldn’t be found). It’ll probably sound better. There is also a single… I believe it’s “I Ain’t Searchin”. I have it with the picture sleeve but it’s in with about 2000 45s in my basement! Any one with any live recordings? And last but not least, I knew Mickey passed on but did not know that Don Ferris passed. R.I.P Don (and Mickey as well). Nick, Nicky & Winkle… if you’re out there… give us all a holler!
Hello fans of An American Dream. Can anyone else get to any of the link listed above? I’m trying desperately to get digital versions of the album, but to no avail. Only options appear to be paying about 75.00 for an lp. Still does not get me mp3, but I could deal with that. Anybody willing to help me get mp3 versions of these great songs?
thanks, Larry
Woody’s Truck Stop demos on YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=woody%27s+truck+stop&aq=0&oq=woody%27s+tr
Larry… e-mail me at gxs8yna724@sneakemail.com
I saw Todd Rundgren in concert tonight it was a fantastic show the guy still has it. Amazing voice. I got him to sign both of my AD Albums one of which is still unopened. He was pleased to see that. Said “Man that was a long time ago”.
Next time anyone sees Todd, ask him when he plans to re-issue the AD album on CD or as an mp3 download.
In response to Charles Goepel – I would be more than happy to make a donation for a WMA (Lossless? hopefully) file of the album – just let me know
i have the album in my library. mp3 form. i have burnt copies quite a few times for friends. great album contantly listen to it. if anyone wants the mp3′s sent to them. email me at dennymclain17@comcast.net
does anyone have the words and chords for “i ain’t searchin’”
i can’t tell you the good feelings i’ve had sharing some good, and some sad, memories of the Dream. While writing an e-mail to a follow fan, the thought occurred to me to suggest having some type of of fan event, maybe could raise funds for a cause by those closest to him and/or to bring renewed attention. I have brought matter to the attention of the Philly Folk Festival, where I volunteer. (PS – it’sa good gig. Free admission and camping for just becoming a volunteer for security.)
We could do it though this site or use Meetup.com. I believe young people, if exposed to this music, would embrace it. “Death Cab” are Beatles fans, and remember how the kids embraced Tony Bennet. Possible venues could be Schmidt’s Piazza , Fairless Hills Firehouse, Pennypack Park, the Wildwoods. .
The Americam Dream’s albun was digitally remastered and reissued a couple of weeks ago by Kismet Records. It’s available at Positively Records in Levittown.
Appears on Amazon too! http://www.amazon.com/American-Dream/dp/B005HH43B8
Also now on iTunes!
King of the Black Sunrise by Thunder & Roses is also available on Amazon and iTunes, and appears to be re-issued by the same UK company.
YO FRANK, SEEN YOU IN VALENTINE A FEW TIMES HERE IN BUCKS OR THE PLACE I MOST REMEMBER IS THE BAR NEXT TO RIDER COLLEGE. JODY GAMBILICA WAS FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN FAIRLESS HILLS….you guys were great…
Sorry Paul, that wasn’t me.
no i was reffering to frank stallone’s comment up top..about his band from the trenton area in the early 70′s
Many moons ago when I first came to this site I submitted a few comments .One was to consider reissuing The American Dream album. I am soooo pleased to see that you have done this……..Hope it sells a million
I’ll try this again. Is anyone interested in helping to put together a tribute concert as per my comments above? It might help promote the album.
Thanks, Amazon, for putting the American Dream’s CD reissue in my list of recommendations. I hadn’t realised it had been put out again after all these years. I’ve followed the blog entries against this record more or less ever since becoming a contributor to the Storm and have been blown away by the affection in which the band are held, so when the CD came to my attention I had to have it. And what a fine recording it is! Hard to go wrong with anything Todd Rundgen produced, of course, but it’s the sheer energy of the playing that set me back on my heels – they must have been a power to catch live. Solid songwriting with effortlessly flowing guitar, hyperactive bass and drums and those glorious block harmonies. How did these guys stay Second Division?
I’ve just come in contact with this site and was sorry to hear that Mickey Brooks had passed away. I remember seeing the Dream at the Electric Factory on a bill with Ten Years After and The Jeff Beck Group (with Ron Wood on bass and a singer , Rod Stewart). I’d be pressed to say which of the three played the best set that night. On another night, after a Who concert, Mickey, in his sports car with Todd Rundgren, stopped to offer us a hand on Roosevelt Blvd., when me and Joe Carlin had a flat tire. Old memories from old times.
Never got to see the American Dream again, as I got drafted went to Nam and later ended up in Germany, where I still reside.
Just finished listening to Dream’s CD (received thru Amazon – Kismet label) — what a blast! Missed their excellent cover version of Bobby Womack’s “Lookin for a love” which they used to perform. I remember drinkin’ a coffee with Nicky
Indelicato at the diner at Torresdale and Cottman with Eamon Daly and Vinnie in Dec. 1970; and the place on Third St. (Hi Bumpy). Ciao for now.
Just receieved a copy of the CD from England. Awesome ! Hey, Nicky, they are closing OLC school.
Saw AD at the Spectrum early 69. They led in for Spirit, The Kinks, The Chambers Brothers. What a great concert.