Formed in 1965, the group of White Bear Lake ΜΝ teens started as The Eskorts, changing theirname to The Grasshoppers after a booking agent suggested they adopt a bug name like the Beatles. Acheson played rhythm guitar. Other band members included Greg (Jiggs) Lees, lead singer;Ben Hamar, lead guitar; Tim Black, bass guitar and Phil Scollard, drums. They rehearsed inBlack’s basement.
It was December 1967 and the band was in a recordingstudio playing a song called “Sugar and Spice” (originally recorded by The Searchers) for a 45-rpm single. The back, or B-side, was “Very Last Day,” originally done by Peter, Paul and Mary.The 45 played on Twin Cities radio stations; it was the only single The Grasshoppers released. The newly compiled album, called “Let It Be That Way,” contains that lone 45 and 14 unheardtracks, including eight original songs written by guitarist Hamar. The songs were recorded in adifferent session later that same month in ’67. The CD also contains a bonus tune written byHamar, a Dutch immigrant who moved to White Bear with his parents at age 14.
The Grasshoppers played their last gig March 10, 1969. Three of the five stayed with music, allon a part-time basis, Acheson said. He finally sold his guitar and amp in 1982, the same year heput his turntable, tuner and speakers in storage.
Tracks
1. Sugar And Spice (Tony Hatch) - 2:31
2. Still In Love With You Baby (Ron Elliott) - 2:38
3. Riding In My Car (Bernard Hamar) - 3:09
4. With This Kiss (Dale Menten) - 2:10
5. Words Of Love (Bernard Hamar) - 1:42
6. Paper Cup Beggar (Bernard Hamar) - 2:05
7. The Muffin Man (Bernard Hamar) - 1:45
8. Our Love (Bernard Hamar) - 2:48
9. Mustang Sally (Mack Rice) - 3:16
10.Look Through Any Window (Charles Silverman, Graham Gouldman) - 1:55
11.Watch People (Bernard Hamar) - 1:49
12.Let It Be That Way (Bernard Hamar) - 2:00
13.Mister, You're A Better Man Than I (Brian Hugg, Mike Hugg) - 3:23
14.Lonely Me (Bernard Hamar) - 3:00
15.Very Last Day (Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow) - 2:46
16.Chini Wong (Bernard Hamar) - 2:20
The Grasshoppers
*Jiggs Lee - Lead Vocals
*Ben Hamar - Vocals, Lead Guitar
*Tim Black - Bass
*Tom Acheson - Rhythm Guitar
*Phil Scowler - Drums
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