Genres Pop Active until 1977 Albums Spring…plus | Years active 1971-1973; 1977 Genre Pop music | |
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Labels United Artists, Columbia Associated acts The Honeys, Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys Past members Marilyn Wilson
Diane Rovell Origin Los Angeles, California, United States (1971) Members Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, Diane Rovell Similar Brian Wilson, The Honeys, Tandyn Almer, Stephen Kalinich, Murry Wilson | ||
American Spring (known as Spring from 1971–72) were a pop music duo formed in Los Angeles, composed of sisters Diane Rovell and Marilyn Wilson, who had earlier been members of girl group the Honeys. As with the Honeys, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys (Marilyn's then-husband) played an integral role with American Spring, producing some of their recorded material.
Contents
Formation and early years
After Ginger Blake, cousin of Marilyn Wilson and Diane Rovell, left the Honeys to go pursue a solo singing career in Las Vegas in 1970, the Honeys effectively dissolved as a group. In 1971, while in her sister's kitchen, Diane Rovell pushed the idea of continuing to create music with her sister Marilyn as a pop duo named "Spring". The band had their first official recording sessions at Brian Wilson's home studio in October 1971 and issued their first single "Now That Everything's Been Said" later that month. After releasing a second single, "Good Time" in May 1972, Spring released their first album, the self-titled Spring in July 1972.
Spring didn't sell well in its time, but has since become a sought-after collectible. In late 1972, the band found some legal trouble as the UK based band Spring were threatening legal action, arguing they owned the rights to the use of the band's name. In order to avoid conflict, a compromise was made where Diane Rovell and Marilyn Wilson altered their band name to American Spring. After releasing a third single, "Shyin' Away" in 1973 the band went dormant. A third band named Spring was also releasing music in Canada at this time.
Rebirth and later releases
In 1977, following Brian Wilson's resurgence as a producer, American Spring once again commenced recording at Brother Studios, this time with Rocky Pamplin contributing to certain sessions. Though a substantial amount of material was recorded, personal matters which included the divorce of Marilyn and Brian caused Spring to once more become inactive. Some of these songs from both 1973 and 1977 have since come to find release though anthologies, rereleases and compilations. Tracks like "Snowflakes", "(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet", "Do Ya?", "Slip On Through", "Don't Be Cruel" and "Sweet Sunday Kind of Love" are among this material.
Rhino Records issued an anthology of American Spring's music during 1988, and a 1992 Capitol Records Honeys collection included several previously-unissued American Spring songs. The Honeys also re-formed during the 1990s, to perform locally around Hollywood.
Band members
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Singles
Songs
Sweet MountainSpring…plus · 1972
Shyin' AwaySpring…plus · 1972
Now That Everything's Been SaidSpring…plus · 1972