The Sunshine Company

The Sunshine Company was an American sunshine pop band from Los Angeles, California. Originally the duo of Mary Nance (November 7, 1947 – November 24, 2019)[2] and Maury Manseau,[3] the group later added the rhythm section of bassist Larry Sims and drummer Merel Bregante and signed to Imperial Records, releasing their debut album in 1967.[4] They scored three hit singles on the U.S. singles chart over the next two years before disbanding after their third album, 1968's self-titled effort.[4] Sims and Bregante later backed Loggins and Messina.[4]

The Sunshine Company
Billboard advertisement, 1968
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresSunshine pop[1]
Years active1967 (1967)–1968 (1968)
LabelsImperial Records
Past members
  • Mary Nance
  • Maury Manseau
  • Douglas Mark
  • Larry Sims
  • Merel Bregante
  • Dave Hodgkins

History

The group was discovered by the manager of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bill McEuen. McEuen proposed they record a single, titled Up, Up and Away, which would have been released had not the 5th Dimension released their own top ten versions. Their first single, "Happy", charted at number 50 nationally, while competing with another version by the Blades of Grass (which had less chart success). Guitarist Douglas Mark then joined to form a quintet as the band released their biggest hit, "Back On the Street Again" (#36 on Billboard), but the band never again achieved such success.

By the fall of 1967, the band released their debut LP on Imperial Records, titled Happy Is The Sunshine Company. It included their two charting singles and peaked at number 126 on the Billboard 200. In 1968, the group released their last top 100 charting single, "Look Here Comes The Sun", peaking at number 56. A further two albums were released in the same year but success eluded the band. There was a proposed fourth album, Think, but the Sunshine Company broke up before recordings were complete.

As of 2015, Bregante lives in Liberty Hill, Texas, where he has his own recording studio.[5] Sims died in December 2014.[6]

Nance, born in Champaign, Illinois, resided in San Pedro, California in her later years. She died on November 24, 2019, at the age of 72.[2]

Members
  • Mary Nance - vocals (died 2019)
  • Maury Manseau - vocals, guitar
  • Douglas Mark - violin, guitar
  • Larry Sims - bass guitar (died 2014)
  • Merel Bregante - drums (usually referred to as Merel Brigante)
  • Dave Hodgkins - acoustic guitar (1968)

Discography

Albums
  • Happy Is the Sunshine Company (Imperial Records, 1967) U.S. #126[7]
  • The Sunshine Company (Imperial, 1968)
  • Sunshine & Shadows (Imperial, 1968)

Charting singles
  • "Happy" (15 July 1967) U.S. #50[8]
  • "Back on the Street Again" (25 November 1967) U.S. #36[9]
  • "Look, Here Comes the Sun" (10 February 1968) U.S. #56
  • "Let's Get Together" (18 May 1968) U.S. #112
  • "On a Beautiful Day" (27 July 1968) U.S. #106
  • "Willie Jean" (19 October 1968) U.S. #111

References
  1. Goldenburg, Joel (February 27, 2016). "Joel Goldenberg: Sunshine pop offered some respite from '60s strife". The Suburban.
  2. "Read Mary Lorraine Nance-Ulrich's Obituary & Leave Condolences". Everloved.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  3. Roxon, Lillian (1972). Lillian Roxon's Rock Encyclopedia. Grosset & Dunlap. p. 475. ISBN 0-448-00255-8.
  4. Ankeny, Jason. "The Sunshine Company Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  5. Bolaños, Christine (30 April 2015). "Studio owner making hits in Liberty Hill". The Liberty Hill Independent.
  6. Johnson, Kevin (18 December 2014). "In Memoriam: Larry Sims". No Treble.
  7. "Top LP's". Billboard. 79 (49): 60. 9 December 1967. ISSN 0006-2510.
  8. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn’s Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 817.
  9. "The Sunshine Company Chart History". Billboard. 25 November 1967. ISSN 0006-2510.
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