Formation and early career (1967–1972) Elephant's Memory was formed between 1967 and 1968, by Stan Bronstein (saxophone, clarinet, and
vocals) and Rick Frank Jr. (drums). In 1968, they briefly added
Carly Simon as a vocalist. By 1969, the line-up had expanded to include John Ward (bass) with
Danny Adler (guitar and keyboards) who originally performed in the Blues Doctors (1964–1966), Chester Ayers (guitar), Myron Yules (bass trombone), R. Sussmann (keyboards), Michal Shapiro (vocals), Guy Peritore (guitar and vocals), David Cohen (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), and Michael Rose on guitar. Two of the band's songs, "Jungle Gym at the Zoo" and "Old Man Willow", appeared on the 1969 soundtrack to the film
Midnight Cowboy. Elephant's Memory received a
gold disc for their contribution to the soundtrack. and reaching number 1 in Pittsburgh on
KQV. In Canada, "Mongoose" reached number 71 on September 26, 1970. In 1971 the band released the single "Skyscraper Commando," of which
Record World said "the lyric is powerful and the instrumental track is right up there with 'Mongoose'." Between 1970 and 1973, the line-up remained more or less constant around Bronstein and Frank, together with guitarists Wayne "Tex" Gabriel, keyboardist Adam Ippolito and bassist Gary Van Scyoc.
Work with Lennon and Ono, and later career (1972–1976) Known around the
Greenwich Village area as a politically active street band, Elephant's Memory backed Lennon and Ono on their album
Some Time in New York City during recording sessions in March 1972. The album was released in June 1972 in the United States, and in September 1972 in the UK. Later in 1972, they were billed as the '''Plastic Ono Elephant's Memory Band'
and performed with Lennon and Ono on various TV shows, albums and concerts. On August 30, 1972, with the addition of John Ward on bass and Jim Keltner on drums, the band played with Lennon and Ono at the famous One to One Concert organized by Geraldo Rivera, to benefit the Willowbrook State School for children with intellectual disabilities. The concert was filmed and recorded, later released in February 1986 as the album Live in New York City. On September 4, they played live again with Lennon and Ono at the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon'', performing "
Imagine", "
Now or Never" and "
Give Peace A Chance". and released on the
Beatles'
Apple Records label, together with an accompanying single "Power Boogie."
Billboard called it a "selection of good, strong unpretentious rock." It also contains various contributions by Lennon himself on guitar and vocals. This album has never been re-issued on compact disc. From October to November, the band recorded material for Ono's double album
Approximately Infinite Universe, released in January 1973. On September 5, 1973, the band appeared at the
Hells Angels "Pirate Party" held on the SS
Bay Belle, together with a band featuring
Jerry Garcia. This performance was later featured in the 1983 documentary film
Hells Angels Forever. In May 2010, guitarist Wayne "Tex" Gabriel died at the age of 59. ==Discography==