Brewer & Shipley

Infobox musical artist
Name = Brewer & Shipley

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Img_size = 250
Img_capt = Brewer & Shipley in concert, Cambridge, Mass, 1971
Landscape=yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin =
Genre = Folk rock
Years_active = 1967–1978
1995
Label = Kama Sutra, Capitol
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://brewerandshipley.com/ BrewerandShipley.com]
Current_members = Mike Brewer
Tom Shipley

Brewer & Shipley were a folk rock duo of the 1970s, comprised of singer-songwriters Mike Brewer and Tom Shipley. They were known for their intricate guitar work, vocal harmonies and socially-conscious lyrics, which reflected the concerns of their generation -- especially the Vietnam War, and the struggles for personal and political freedom. Their biggest hit was the song "One Toke Over the Line" from their 1970 album "Tarkio". They also had two other singles which made the Billboard charts: "Tarkio Road" (1970) and "Shake Off the Demon" (1971). They continue to perform, both separately and together, usually in the Midwest.

Early history

The two Midwestern natives crossed paths numerous times at various coffeehouse gigs before settling in Los Angeles to write music together, producing their first two albums "Down in L.A." and "Weeds". Even though mutual friends in bands such as The Association and Buffalo Springfield also lived in Los Angeles, they left California in 1969, returning to Kansas City, where they made a meager living through playing in college towns. They derived the name of their next album, "Tarkio", from a regular gig they played in Tarkio, Missouri. This album was their most commercially successful, featuring their hit "One Toke Over the Line", which they wrote as a joke while preparing backstage for a performance.

Following airplay of the single, President Richard Nixon labeled Brewer & Shipley public miscreants. In retaliation, they referred to Nixon by name in their song, "Oh Mommy," (from "Tarkio").

Ironically, the song was subsequently performed on The Lawrence Welk Show, known for its conservative, family-oriented bent, by a conservatively-groomed duo known as "Gail and Dale." It can only be assumed that the producers of the show and/or Welk himself did not know the meaning of the word "toke" in the song, as Welk, at the conclusion of the performance of the song, remarked, without any hint of humor, "there you've heard a modern spiritual by Gail and Dale."

Brewer & Shipley have performed with many notable acts, including Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills & Nash), Bruce Springsteen, Black Sabbath, and Jerry Garcia of Grateful Dead fame, and who played pedal steel guitar on "Oh, Mommy").

Regrouping, touring, and present-day status

In 1989 they performed a one-off gig and a short time later began writing together again, producing two albums, "SHANGHAI" (1993) and "Heartland" (1997). They have continued to tour together, part time, since the '90s. At present, Michael Brewer lives outside of Branson, Missouri. Tom Shipley lives in Rolla, Missouri, where he is on the staff of Missouri University of Science & Technology (formerly the University of Missouri - Rolla). He is manager of distance learning, video, audio, and other special video productions for the university.

Discography

*"Down in L.A." (1968) on A&M Records
*"Weeds" (1969) on Kama Sutra Records
*"Tarkio" (1970) on Kama Sutra Records
*"Shake Off the Demon" (1971) on Kama Sutra Records
*"Rural Space" (1972) on Kama Sutra Records
*"ST-11621" (1974) on Capitol Records
*"Welcome To Riddle Bridge" (1976) on Capitol Records
*"Brewer and Shipley Greatest Hits" (1989) on Pair Records
*"SHANGHAI" (1993) on One Toke Productions
*"Archive Alive! (1997) on Archive Recordings
*"Heartland" (1997) on One Toke Productions
*"" (2001) on Buddha Records

U.S. singles chart positions

*"One Toke Over the Line" spent 14 weeks on the charts, peaking at #10 in April 1971
*"Tarkio Road" spent 8 weeks on the charts, peaking at #55 in June 1971
*"Shake Off the Demon" spent 3 weeks on the charts, peaking at #98 in February 1972

Cultural references

*In the first chapter of Hunter S. Thompson's novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream", Raoul Duke's attorney, Dr. Gonzo, sings the line "One toke over the line, sweet Jesus, one toke over the line" while the two of them drive from Barstow to Las Vegas.

External links

* [http://www.brewerandshipley.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.poetv.com/video.php?vid=26110 One Toke Over the Line performed on the Lawrence Welk Show]