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Spanky and Our Gang

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Musicians

The Resume

    (1965-1969)
    Born in Chicago, Illinois
    Line-Up:
    Elaine 'Spanky' McFarlane (June 19, 1942- ), vocals
    Malcolm Hale (May 17, 1941-October 30, 1968), lead guitar and trombone
    Lefty Baker (January 7, 1939-August 11, 1971), lead guitar (1968-69)
    Nigel Pickering (June 15, 1929- ), rhythm guitar
    Paul 'Oz' Bach (June 24, 1939-September 21, 1998), bass guitar (1966-67)
    Kenny Hodges (August 3, 1936- ), bass guitar (1967-69)
    John Seiter (August 17, 1944- ), drums
    Recorded the singles 'Sunday Will Never Be the Same' (1967), 'Making Every Minute Count' (1967), 'Lazy Day' (1967), 'Sunday Mornin' (1968) and 'Like to Get to Know You' (1968)

Why they might be annoying:

    The band's name was inspired by Elaine's resemblance (both physically and her last name) to George 'Spanky' McFarland.
    When they performed the song 'Give A Damn' on 'The Smothers Brothers Show,' the network received numerous complaints about 'damn' being used during the family hour.
    On their third album, most of the instruments were actually played by session musicians instead of the band.
    They were reportedly upset when Mercury Records cashed in after their break-up by releasing an amateur tape of an early concert as a live album.

Why they might not be annoying:

    Their songs had multi-part harmonies.
    'Give A Damn' was adopted as a theme song by the New York Urban Coalition and the mayoral campaign of John Lindsay.
    They broke up shortly after lead guitarist Malcolm Hale died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty space heater.
    McFarlane replaced the late Cass Elliot for a Mamas and Papas reunion (1982).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 35.29% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 13 Votes: 38.46% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 15 Votes: 20.0% Annoying