Jan Errico

Errico is the daughter of Vincent Errico who, himself was an accomplished drummer.[1][2] She is the cousin of Greg Errico, the original drummer for Sly and the Family Stone.[3] It has been written that she changed her name from Errico to Ashton to sound more British.[4]

Female drummers in rock bands in that era were rather rare.[5]

In 1962 or 1963, when she was around age 12, she recorded the single "It Was A Lie" (bw "Come Along With Me") for the Shelby Records label. The backing group was credited as The Twilights, who were really Joe Piazza and the Continentals.[6]

By 1964, she was a member of The Vejtables, both singing backup and playing drums.[7] While with the Vejtables she contributed to a good part of their written material including their minor hit, "I Still Love You", which she sang lead on.[8][9] By November 13, 1965 the song had spent four weeks in the charts, eventually reaching no 84.[10] She also sang lead on the group's take of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind".[11]

It appears that at some stage in 1966, there may have been a brief change of direction for her in attempting a solo career. A single "Cold Dreary Morning"/"Smile, Smile, Smile" was recorded but Autumn Records never released it.[12]

Errico joined the Mojo Men around spring 1966,[13] replacing the band's drummer Dennis DeCarr.[14] In 1967, she and the band recorded 20 songs in one day at Coast Recorders.[15]

The last single released by the group then known as The Mojo was "Everyday Love" bw There Goes My Mind in 1970.[16]

• Jan Errico's Song - It Was A Lie
• Discogs: Jan Errico