The Dovers

Composite Photo, L-R (Top): Tim Granada, Bruce Clawson, Tony Rivas (Bottom) Robbie Ladewig, Rick Morinini

The music of the Dovers is still as fresh and exciting today as it must have been upon its initial release in 1965-1966. Prior to Misty Lane Records’ complete recorded output LP reissue in 2003, however, the Dovers were the mystery band of note for 1960’s garage band collectors. They managed to release four singles – and all eight sides are fantastic examples of ‘60’s folk/raga/acid/garage rock. Mike Markesich provided a nice history of the group in the liner notes to the Misty Lane LP, but when the opportunity presented itself to ask members of the band some questions we quickly jumped at the chance. So join us as drummer Rick Morinini and guitarist Bruce Clawson remember the ‘60’s…

Bruce Clawson and Rick Morinini Recall the Dovers

60sgaragebands.com (60s): I assume you're well aware of the legendary status the Dovers have among collectors of 1960's rock and roll. When did you first become aware of this?

Bruce Clawson (BC): When Napster was popular I was curious to see if any of our old music was available, as unlikely as that might be. That would mean someone first would have to have the 35 year old 45s; and second digitized them and posted them on Napster. I was astonished to find how many there were. Everything was there. I e-mailed one of the posters to find out where he had found the record. He turned out to be Massimo Del Pozzo from Rome, Italy. We became e-mail friends and he subsequently re-released all of the Dovers music again. At that time I was able to contact Rick, after 35 years, and it was he who really knew about the renewed interest in the band.

Rick Morinini (RM): Yes, about ten years ago when I received a phone call from a record producer from back east. He wanted information about the band. It was a mind blowing feeling to be acknowledged after 30 years.

60s: The Dovers evolved from the Vandells. Where and when did you form that group?

BC: I think it was during high school in Santa Barbara, California.

60s: How did you become involved, Rick?

RM: Tony Rivas was in the band we were good friends. He told me they were looking for a drummer; I auditioned and got the gig.

60s: Did you have any experience playing in a band prior to that?

RM: No. I only played with the Vandells - which became the Dovers.

60s: What was the Santa Barbara rock scene like during the Dovers heyday? Did the Dovers "rule the roost" so to speak, or was Ernie & the Emperors the area's primary band?

BC: We had different followings. It was almost like two different genres of music. I don't think either band really ruled the roost.

60s: The first two singles were recorded at Gold Star. Where were the other three recorded?

BC: I can't remember much about the other studios. One thing I do remember is that Jim Messina was our recording engineer at one session. I remember he played some tracks for us that he had self-recorded and they were fantastic. He played every instrument. It was very intimidating for a small town garage band.

60s: You drummed on the first two singles, Rick…

RM: Yes, I did. It was a whole new world and a great experience.

60s: Long time rumor has it that the Dovers also recorded 4-5 additional songs during those recording sessions. Do you recall titles, or anything else about these?

BC: I don't remember. I think some of us did some studio work for Tony Cary, but I wasn't one of them.

RM: No. This (recording of additional songs) could have happened after I left the band.

60s: How much of a direct influence were the Byrds? Did you consciously try to create “Byrds-like” songs…or did the Dovers sound indirectly evolve?

BC: We loved the Byrds. Robbie knew David Crosby from school. We felt a real connection. I think they were our most direct influence.

60s: How far was your typical touring territory?

BC: Santa Barbara, Solvang, Paso Robles, and Ventura.

60s: Apparently the Dovers didn't play live much. Why not?

BC: We played quite a bit in the Santa Barbara area but not much anywhere else.

RM: We played school dances, private parties, as in debutante parties, weddings, etc. We played at the Earl Warren Show Grounds and at battle of the bands at U.C.S.B. One gig in Paso Robles, which is a cowboy town - and not knowing many western songs - reminded me of the Blues Brothers movie. I think the reason (we didn’t play live much) was bad management.

60s: How do you rate Tony Cary as a manager? He seemed to have the right connections and the band's best interest at heart, but why do you think the Dovers' singles – all excellent and most regionally popular - couldn't break nationally?

BC: I don't think he was much of a manger. He'd never done that kind of work before. As I recall, he never liked our style of music. He was more of an R & B type. Why didn't we make it nationally? I don't think we were really ready. We were pretty unrefined.

60s: There were personnel changes (with Tony and Rick leaving the band) due to drug-related issues. Looking back, do you think drugs hurt the chemistry of the band, or did they inspire you to create some of your finest recorded minutes?

BC: In my opinion drugs destroyed the band. Of course, it was the Sixties, so drugs gained us entry into the hippest part of the culture. We wanted to be there with the Byrds, Grateful Dead, etc. I think hard drugs were what eventually destroyed the band.

RM: It was very hard to give up the band and music, but under the circumstances I knew the band was heading for a dead end.

60s: Randy Busby replaced Rick on drums and had previously been in Ernie & the Emperors.

BC: Randy and I knew each other from high school. We'd been in the Vandells together.

60s: Did either of you join or form any bands after the Dovers?

BC: That was the end of my musical career. I was struggling to make a living, which never happened with the band.

RM: No, but I filled in with other Santa Barbara bands when they needed a drummer. I still have my original drums and play in the garage occasionally; especially now that I have a 3 year-old grandson I am teaching to play.

60s: Bruce, do you recall how long the Dovers continued on after you were "booted"? Do you recall what the band changed its name to?

BC: I don't really remember. My focus was elsewhere I guess.

60s: What did you think at the time of your replacement, Nick Hoffman?

BC: I knew him from the music scene. He was an excellent blues guitarist; I had a lot of respect for him.

60s: What was the inspiration behind the “Third Eye”? Did anything in particular inspire the song?

BC: I guess the eastern mystic interest of the time.

60: Which Dovers song is your favorite?

BC: I think "She's Not Just Anybody." Tim was a great songwriter; all of his songs were a perfect example of the zeitgeist.

60s: When was the last time you spoke with Tim Granada? He’s apparently rather reclusive…

BC: It’s been 35 years.

60s: What about Rick or Tony?

BC: Rick and I email often; I don’t hear much from Tony.

60s: Thanks for agreeing to shed some light on one of the most underrated groups of the fabulous '60's.

BC: Thank you for your kind thoughts. It's always fun to find someone who wants to know about the band. A lot has slipped away from me; after all, it was 40 years ago. And you know what they say, "if you remember the Sixties you weren't there."

The Dovers:
Bruce Clawson (lead guitar)
Tim Granada (rhythm guitar)
Robbie Ladewig (bass guitar)
Rick Morinini (drums)
Tony Rivas (tambourine, saxophone)
Randy Busby (drums, replaced Morinini)
Nick Hoffman (lead guitar, replaced Clawson)

Discography:
She’s Gone (Miramar 118, 9/65)
What Am I Going To Do? (Miramar 118, 9/65)
I Could Be Happy (Miramar 121, 11/65)
People Ask Me Why (Miramar 121 and Reprise 0439, 11/65)
The Third Eye (Miramar 123, 4/66)
Your Love (Miramar 123, 4/66)
She’s Not Just Anybody (Miramar 124, 5/66)
About Me (Miramar 124, 5/66)

ADDENDUM: It was four years ago that we first reported (via the Lance Monthly) that Alec Palao of Ace Records was working on a Dovers CD with unreleased material (as Rick surmised, dating from after he left the band). In order to tie things together for this interview, we contacted Alec again to get an update on the possibility of a “complete” Dovers CD:

“A definitive release is still in the works. Part of the problem with such projects is in order to do them right, you need to take time and cast as wide a net as possible in order to put the pieces together. It requires a lot of detective work and a lot of patience…” Alec assures me that he’s continuing to work on things…so one day we’ll undoubtedly see the release of this highly anticipated collection…

Special thanks to Billy Rollins for making the interview possible, and to Alec Palao for providing an updated on the possibility of the CD.

The Vandells