Jan Errico

Jan Errico is a drummer and singer who was a member of two San Francisco rock groups in the 1960s, The Vejtables and The Mojo Men. She is notable for being one of the very few female drummers playing in rock bands at the time.

Jan Errico
Also known asJan Ashton, Janet Errico
InstrumentsDrums
Years active1960s - ?
Associated actsThe Vejtables, The Mojo Men

Background

She 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]

The fact that there was a female drummer in a rock band in that period was quite significant.[5]

Career

In 1962 or 1963 when she was aged around 12 she recorded a single "It Was A Lie" bw "Come Along With Me" for the Shelby Records label. The backing group was 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]

She 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]

Solo discography
List
Title Credited artist Release Label Year Notes
"It Was A Lie" Janet Errico "It Was A Lie" / "Come Along With Me" Shelby Records (C-45-2C) (c) 1962/1963 [17]
"Smile, Smile, Smile" The Vejtables Feel... The Vejtables Sundazed Music SC 11031 1995
"Cold Dreary Morning" The Vejtables Feel... The Vejtables Sundazed Music SC 11031 1995 [18]

References
  1. The Times, Monday, March 21, 1960 - Page 13
  2. San Francisco Chronicle, April 15, 2005 - Vincent A. Errico, Obituary
  3. NPR, August 18, 2011 - Sly Stone: The Early Days In The East Bay - Ed Ward
  4. Record Turnover, January 28th, 2011 - Sit Down, I Think I Love You
  5. Guía Del Pop Y El Rock 60, Aloha Poprock, By Antonio Méndez - Page 386 Vejtables, The. Estados Unidos
  6. Reverb Central - Janet Errico and the Twilights - It Was A Lie c/w Come Along With Me
  7. The San Francisco Sound, Friday, November 26, 2010 - THE VEJTABLES FAMILY TREE
  8. Billboard - ARTISTS / The Vejtables, BIOGRAPHY
  9. Fuzz Acid and Flowers Revisited: Comprehensive Guide to American Garage Psychedelic and Hippie Rock (1964-1975), Vernon Joynson - Page 15
  10. Billboard, November 19, 1965 - Page 30 Billboard HOT 100
  11. Fuzz Acid and Flowers Revisited: Comprehensive Guide to American Garage Psychedelic and Hippie Rock (1964-1975), Vernon Joynson - Page 15
  12. Allmusic - Jan Ashton Biography by Richie Unterberger
  13. Jingle Jangle Morning: Folk-Rock in the 1960s, By Richie Unterberger- -
  14. The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Colin Larkin - Page 2872
  15. If These Halls Could Talk, Heather Johnson - Page 6
  16. Las Solanas - The Mojo Men, Singles
  17. Reverb Central - Janet Errico and the Twilights - It Was A Lie c/w Come Along With Me
  18. Discogs - The Vejtables – Feel... The Vejtables
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