The Association are an American pop band, formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965. When their breakthrough came in 1966, their line-up consisted of Terry Kirkman, Russ Giguere, Jules Alexander, Jim Yester, Brian Cole and Ted Bluechel Jr. Following Alexander's departure in 1967, Larry Ramos came in and filled his place.

History In 1962, Jules Alexander was in Hawaii, serving in the navy. Whilst there, he met traveling salesman Terry Kirkman. The two became close friends and remained in contact. When Jules was discharged from the navy a year later, the two moved to Los Angeles and played in clubs all in different parts of the city. The two became members of a thirteen-piece folk group called The Men. In 1965, the Men split up and six of their members, Alexander, Kirkman, Russ Giguere, Bob Page, Brian Cole and Ted Bluechel Jr., formed their own group. The band decided to spend six months practicing before performing on stage, during that time, Page left and Jim Yester replaced him. In late 1965, they signed to Jubilee Records. Jubilee label issued a single of "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" (a song originally recorded by Joan Baez, later popularized by Led Zeppelin), but nothing happened. Finally, Valiant Records offered them a contract, with the first result being a version of Bob Dylan's "One Too Many Mornings", which was produced by Valiant's owner, Barry De Vorzon, at Gold Star Studios.

In July of 1966, their debut album, And Then... Along Comes the Association, was released. The track Along Comes Mary was an instant hit, charting at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and their song Cherish would hit number one on the Hot 100 and remained there for three weeks straight, before being replaced by The Four Tops' Reach Out I'll Be There. In November 1966, their second album, Renaissance was released, although none of their songs managed to meet the success that Along Comes Mary and Cherish did. In March 1967, Alexander left to move to India, and Larry Ramos (previously of New Christy Minstrels fame) came in and filled his place. Insight Out, their third album, was released on June 8, 1967 and first on Warner Bros. Records after Warner Bros. bought out Valiant. Two tracks from that album include "Windy" and "Never My Love". Windy went to number one on four different American and Canadian charts. Never My Love charted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, but was a chart-topper on the Cash Box 100 and Canadian RPM Top Singles.

Four more albums were released from 1968 to 1972, Birthday (1968), The Association (1969), Stop Your Motor (1971), and Waterbeds in Trinidad! (1972). Alexander returned to the group in 1969, while Russ Giguere left in 1970 to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Richard Thompson. A few months after the release of Waterbeds in Trinidad, bassist Brian Cole died aged 29 from a heroin overdose. The band saw a rotating list of personnel until the band split in 1978. The split was proven to be short, and they regrouped again the following year. The band has been performing non-stop since. The current version of the band is led by Jules Alexander and Jim Yester, as well as Del Ramos, brother of Larry Ramos, and Jordan Cole, son of Brian Cole. During the 1970s and 80s, the band went through numerous line-up changes, with, at one point, only one original member in the band. Past notable members include Jerry Yester, Andy Chapin, and Ray Pohlman.

Members

Current Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions Jules Alexander 1965–1967, 1969–1973, 1979–1989, 2012–present And Then... Along Comes the Association (1966) Renaissance (1966) The Association (1969) Stop Your Motor (1971) Waterbeds in Trinidad! (1972) Jim Yester 1965–1973, 1973–1977, 1979–1983, 2007–present All releases Joe Lamanno 1984, 2025-presentDel Ramos will no longer be performing with The Association as he has retired. His last performance with the group will be the November 23, 2025 show in San Francisco, California. Joining the group is bass player, Joe Lamanno. You might remember Joe from when he performed with the group in the early 80s. Joe’s first show will be on November 28, 2025. Welcome back to the group Joe! Bruce Pictor 1985–present None Paul Holland 1987–1999, 2014–present Gary Swan2025-presentOctober 1, 2025 - Jordan Cole will no longer be performing with The Association. We wish him the best in his future endeavors, he will always be a part of The Association family! Replacing Jordan on stage is a veteran, jack of all trades performer named, Gary Swan. Gary is an artist for Hammond and was previously a session and tour musician and vocalist. He’s worked with: The Supremes, Etta James, The Pointer Sisters et al. Please join us in welcoming Gary to the group! His first show will be on October 12th in Holmdel, New Jersey.

Former Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions Terry Kirkman 1965–1972, 1979–1984 All releases Russ Giguere 1965–1970, 1979–2014 And Then... Along Comes The Association (1966) Renaissance (1966) Insight Out (1967) Birthday (1968) The Association (1969) Brian Cole 1965–1972 All releases Ted Bluechel Jr. 1965–1978, 1979–1984 Bob Page 1965 None Larry Ramos 1967–1975, 1979–2014 All releases from Insight Out (1967) Richard Thompson 1970–1974, 1979 Stop Your Motor (1971) Waterbeds in Trinidad! (1972) Wolfgang Melz 1972 bass None Mike Berkowitz drums David Vaught 1972–1978 Maurice Miller Jerry Yester 1973–1974, 1978 Art Johnson 1975 Dwayne Smith Larry Brown 1975–1977 Andy Chapin 1975–1976 Jay Gruska 1976 David Morgan 1976–1978 Ric Ulsky 1977–1978, 1980–1984 Cliff Wooley 1977–1978 John William Tuttle 1978 Jack Harris Ray Pohlman 1979 Keith Moret 1983 Brian Puckett 1984–1985 drums Mike Peed 1984 keyboards Donni Gougeon 1984–1987, 1999 Paul Beach 1985–1989 bass Chris Urmston 1987 Del Ramos1999–2025bassJordan Cole Bob Werner 1999–2007 guitar David Jackson 2007 Blair Anderson 2008 drums Godfrey Townsend 2012 guitar

Timeline

Lineups Period Members 1965 Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals Bob Page – rhythm guitar, vocals, banjo Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass 1965 – March 1967 Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass March 1967 – Late 1968 Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass Late 1968 – June 1970 Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass June 1970 – August 1972 Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Richard Thompson – keyboards Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds Wolfgang Melz - bass (joined in 1972) Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass August–December 1972 Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Richard Thompson – keyboards Wolfgang Melz – bass Mike Berkowitz – drums December 1972 – mid-1973 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards Richard Thompson – keyboards David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion mid–late 1973 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals Jerry Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals Richard Thompson – keyboards David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion late 1973 – late 1974 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jerry Yester – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals Richard Thompson – keyboards David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion late 1974 – mid-1975 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Art Johnson – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals Dwayne Smith – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion mid–late 1975 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Art Johnson – lead guitar, vocals Larry Brown – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals Dwayne Smith – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion late 1975 – mid-1976 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Larry Brown – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals Andy Chapin – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion mid-1976 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Larry Brown – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals Jay Gruska – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion mid-1976 – mid-1977 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Larry Brown – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals David Morgan – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion mid-1977 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Jim Yester – lead guitar, vocals Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals David Morgan – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion mid-1977 – 1978 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Cliff Woolley – lead guitar, vocals Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals David Morgan – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion 1978 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Cliff Woolley – lead guitar, vocals John William Tuttle – rhythm guitar, vocals Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Russ Levine – drums, vocals mid-1978 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Jack Harris – lead guitar, vocals John William Tuttle – rhythm guitar, vocals Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Russ Levine – drums, vocals late-1978 Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums Jack Harris – lead guitar, vocals Jerry Yester - lead guitar, vocals John William Tuttle – rhythm guitar, vocals Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals David Vaught – bass, vocals Russ Levine – drums, vocals December 1978 – September 1979 Disbanded September 1979 – 1980 Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals Richard Thompson – keyboards Ray Pohlman – bass Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass 1980 – June 1983 Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals Ric Ulsky – keyboards Jules Alexander – bass, vocals