The original Kingston Trio lineup most fans remember was Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds, and Dave Guard, which was the roster when the band had its biggest successes. They got their start gigging around San Francisco, where they attracted the attention of Frank Werber, who wanted to manage them.
With his guidance, the group started having major success. Their break came when Phyllis Diller canceled an engagement at San Francisco’s Purple Onion club in 1957. The Kingston Trio filled in, and their planned one-week engagement turned into a six-month run. Based on this response, Werber booked a national tour, playing major venues like Mister Kelly’s in Chicago and New York’s Village Vanguard, before ending up at the hungry i in San Francisco.
The original group had startling success with their records, putting 14 of their 19 albums in the Top 10, five of which went to No. 1. The band still holds numerous Billboard records, including most albums to reach No. 1.
The Kingston Trio trademark and name were licensed in 2017 so the group continues to exist, even though the original members are long gone. A recent concert review says:
“The guys were great and I loved the history that was told to us a wonderful and entertaining evening.”
The Trio will be at Balboa Theatre in Downtown San Diego on Sunday, August 11. Concerts like this are often advertised by promoters using poster printing methods.