Bearded Clam (Springfield)

Bearded Clam from Springfield,  Illinois released just one single on Golden Voice in 1970.  The group had been playing together for a couple years and were previously known as Dean and the Sinisters.

Band members included lead singer and drummer Dean Huston,  his younger brother Dave Huston on bass, Wayne Castor on lead guitar, Rich Egizii on organ, Corwin Bentley on rhythm guitar and Gene Bennett on vocals.

At the time of the recording several of the band members were students at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.   Most of the group was from Springfield originally, except Egizii who was from neighboring Riverton and Bennett from nearby New Berlin.

The single was recorded at Golden Voice Recording Company in South Pekin, Illinois.   Both songs were original compositions.   According to an article in the Illinois State Journal, there were one thousand copies pressed.

"Please Don't Leave Me Blue" was written by Bennett who also sang lead on the track.   Huston and Caster are also credited on the single.

The flip side "I Wish I Could Be Here" was written by Bob Lloyd with lead vocals by Dean Huston.  Lloyd was a member of The Holidays, another Springfield group.

The group was still performing around the Springfield area as of March of 1972: