The Tripp

The Tripp was a short-lived Canadian rock band, based in Toronto from the mid-1960s, featuring Neil Merryweather and Stan Endersby and formed the link between The Just Us and Livingston’s Journey.

History

The Tripp was formerly known as Just Us, but changed name in early September 1966, shortly after an American duo of the same name released a couple of singles on Colpix. One of the band’s first (if not debut) shows was at the Gogue Inn in Toronto on September 16 with Luke & The Apostles and others.

The group released no recordings but did appear on the first episode of CBC Television’s Sunday Show and were a fixture on the Toronto club scene. Pianist Richard Bell from Ritchie Knight & The Mid-Knights briefly augmented the group but soon moved onto Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks (and years later, Janis Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band and The Band).

One of the band’s most prestigious shows was at Maple Leaf Gardens on September 24, 1966 with the cream of the local talent. The Tripp played regularly at clubs like the Flick, the El Patio and Boris’ in Toronto’s hip Yorkville district.

Lillie left in May 1967 to play with Ricky James Matthews in a reformed version of The Mynah Byrds and then Bruce Cockburn’s band, The Flying Circus. Dennis Pendrith from Simon Caine & The Catch replaced him and later that month the band changed name again to Livingston’s Tripp and then Livingston’s Journey.

References

• Nick Warburton article on Stan Endersby
• The Toronto Telegram’s After Four Section listed live dates every Thursday.