The Flower Power

Psychedelic band from Gulfport, MS, active from 1967 to 1970. "The Flower Power formed in October 1967... Craig Ferguson (4), guitar and lead vocal from The Soule Survivors, Robert Weathersby, guitar and Gregg Giuffria, organ from The Telstars. David Mcintosh and Sandi Craig from Sandi and the Gang Band, Joe Rolison from The Varments on bass. Our age was from 15 to 17 years old. We played local gigs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Soon after we met [Tom & Paul Krimsier] in New Orleans looking for gigs in the parking lot of [Radio Station W.N.O.E, New Orleans, Louisiana]. ...they became our Managers, Tom's father in law, [Joe Banashak], owned [Tune-Kel Records] and we signed a contract with them in early 1968. The first single, [5086877] was recorded at [Cosimo Recording Studio] in [New Orleans]. The line up was the original as mentioned. David Mcintosh left the band and was replaced by Johnny Rand from The Soul Survivors. Robert Weathersby also left and was replaced by Randall Currie also ex Soul Survivors. The next two records were with this line up. We did a lot of shows as an opening act with the [Krimsier] Management as a back up band for B.J.Thomas. We also performed shows with Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone and many others. 'Mt Olympus' was recorded with this line up. Randall Currie left the group in August 1968 and was replaced by [James T. Tierce] from The Substantial Evidence who had a single called [Death Angel] and were popular in the region. Johnny Rand left the band and was replaced by Dickie Burnet on drums early 1969. Ted Tierce left after 5 months and we decided to stay as a five piece. In July 1969 we went to Houston. Texas to open for The Nazz, Todd Rundgrens band. On Sunday, August 31st we were the opening act at the first New Orleans Pop Festival, a two day event with Janis Joplin, Santana and The Grateful Dead plus many more. We recorded a lot of material in Houston, Texas, nothing released and the songs were never mixed but there was some test pressings on vinyl... The Flower Power rolled on into 1970 and played the second Atlanta Pop Festival in Georgia that July. This was the last gig we played together." (Joe Rolison 2013)