The History of MTB
by Craig Cumberland
Foreword
The true history of MTB, like that of any band, pre-dates MTB. One could argue the true genesis of the band began the first time Toy picked up a guitar. As Doug said at the band's 1995 induction into the South Carolina Hall of Fame "Toy was the backbone of the original Marshall Tucker Band, and still, as far as I'm concerned, is the backbone of this Marshall Tucker Band today, even though he's in heaven." Without Toy's songs there would be no MTB. But one could also argue that the genesis began the first time Doug got the fever on that fateful day when he sang down on the corner at the local drug store when he was five years old. There's not another singer alive who could sing these songs the way he has. He was born to sing the songs Toy wrote. Without Doug's incredible abilities MTB would have never become what it became. Or maybe the genesis of the band was the day Jerry lied to Toy and said, "sure" when asked if he knew how to play the flute!" Without Jerry's evocative flute and sax riffs MTB music would not have been the same. Can't You See and Heard It In A Love Song wouldn't be the memorable songs they are. Or maybe the credit should go to Tommy because it was he who had the vision. More so than any of the others, he believed. He saw what the others didn't. Without his leadership maybe they would have just been another bar band from the south. And had he never gave up guitar perhaps George never would have joined the band. And without him we would have never had Fire on the Mountain, Silverado and so many other great MTB songs. Someone had to help Toy with the songwriting duties and George stepped up to the plate. Maybe the true genesis of the band is the day they made the decision to NOT do what the Allmans did. MTB had decided to feature only one lead guitarist and not to be an Allmans clone. George was content to sit back and lay the groove down and let Toy and his lightening fast thumb take center stage. Or could it be the genesis of the band was the first time Paul T. heard a Buddy Rich record. Without Paul's jazz influence the Tucker sound would not have been what it was. In how many other bands can you intentionally overlook the tremendous talents of the other players and just focus on the chops that the drummer is pumping out? It is a pure joy to listen to Paul T. go to work. Maybe by now some of you have got my point... that is, MTB would have never been what it was without any of these incredible musicians. And it was more than their talent that made them what they were. As with any great team, it takes the right chemistry - and whatever it was these guys had, they clicked. Maybe it was their common upbringing in Spartanburg. Maybe it was the fact they were friends first, band members second. Whatever it was, it was great.
A lot of credit also has to go to Phil Walden, president of Capricorn Records, and Paul Hornsby, their first producer. Both had the great insight to let these guys just do what they do. Phil had the vision to form a new record label for the new breed of bands emerging from the South, like the Allmans and Tuckers. Without a home like Capricorn, would these bands have been the same? And it was Hornsby who provided all those great piano fills that provided that little extra touch to make so many great MTB songs all the more memorable. Just recall "Heard It In a Love Song" and you know what I mean.
It was also fortunate that they were in the right place at the right time. They came together in an era when it was acceptable to play the improvisational style that they did. Thank, God! Because it's the seemingly meandering melodies and solos that takes you where the music takes you (that might only make sense if you're a true Tuckerhead). For so many people like myself, no other music connects the way MTB's music does. The music carries the mind to another place and the lyrics speak your soul. It sets you free. Maybe that's what the essence of what it's all about. Freedom. They weren't supposed to play this kind of music, with those instruments, but they did. They weren't supposed to try and make a go of it by just doing their own songs, but they did. They weren't supposed to record 5, 6, 7, 10 minute songs, but they did. Toy wasn't supposed to play with just his thumb, but he did. A rock and roll band wasn't supposed to wear cowboy hats and boots, but the did. They weren't supposed to make it by just being who they were, but they did. They weren't supposed to make it cutting albums that featured rock, country, jazz, blues, gospel and R & B, but they did. And that name... what a perfect name for their music. Somehow I don't think they would have made it as far as The Toy Factory. Their name lent a certain mystique to their music. Maybe they weren't supposed to find that key tag, but they did.
Maybe Marshall Tucker music was never meant to be. Maybe it was all a mistake. There's too many things that could have happened to screw it all up. Maybe they weren't supposed to touch so many peoples lives.... but they did.
Beginnings
The origins of MTB go back to bands such as the New Generation, The Ramblers, The Rants, Magar's Madmen and Pax Parachute. Trying to keep up with the roster changes can be confusing to say the least...
One of the earliest bands to feature the future players of MTB was Magar's Madmen. Toy and his friends Franklin Wilkie and Kenny Magar formed this band in the seventh grade. They only played instrumentals. Later, a ninth grader, Jimmy Trout, joined in and they became the Ramblers. Jimmy played keyboards and they also added a horn section. After the British Invasion of 1964 they decided to change directions. Gone were the horns and the name. Because they still had shirts featuring the Ramblers "R" on the pockets, they named themselves The Rants. They grew their hair long and set out to rock. They went into the Mark Five recording studio and laid down three tracks; Hey Little Girl, Seven Lonely Days and Make No Mistake. They took the tapes to Nashville and were supposed to have a deal with Mercury/Polygram... but then the deal fell apart. Soon, too, did the band.
In the early 1960's Doug Gray sang in a band called The Guildsmen. Shortly thereafter he and Tommy formed The New Generation (along with Ross Hannah and Randy Foster). They played a variety of R & B, Motown and British Invasion music. In 1965 they recorded a 45 at Reflections Sound in Charlotte on the Sonic label. It featured the songs Because of Love It's All Over, written by Tommy and Doug, and That's the Sun. In 1966 Toy went to Vietnam. About the time Toy returned from the service, Doug had to go.
The Toy Factory
Jerry, at one point, was in a band called the Southeastern Music Corporation and they recorded at least three songs, Rainy Night in Georgia, In a Moment and Evil Ways. When Toy's tour of duty in the Marines was over in 1969 he formed The Toy Factory with Tommy (on rhythm guitar) and Doug along with Wayne Casasanta, and Ross Hannah. Jerry would later join, as would Franklin Wilkie. The line-up changed periodically for various reasons. They played British Invasion songs and eventually began to do some originals. Can't You See was one of the earliest. They played at clubs like The Underground South and The Sitar... and anywhere else they could get a gig. They also landed the job of opening for the Allman Brothers on their eastern tour. When Toy and Tommy had a rift the latter left the band. He hooked up with a group called Pax Parachute, whose members included George McCorkle and Paul Riddle. Tommy was happy because he was again playing bass. Coincidentally they opened for The Toy Factory at a few shows. Toy and Tommy resolved their differences. This led to Toy rehearsing with both bands. When Franklin's father passed away he decided quit The Toy Factory and move to Atlanta to enter art school. It was about this time that Toy, Tommy, Doug, George and Paul came together as The Toy Factory. Soon, Toy called Jerry because he wanted a flute player in the band. Jerry knew how to play sax, so Toy thought he might be able to play flute as well. When Toy asked him, Jerry responded "sure" though he really didn't know how at all. Needless to say, he quickly learned! They soon began rehearsing songs like Hillbilly Band and Take the Highway.
They soon decided to "make it or break it" on their own - doing only their own material. At first there was some resistance. They got thrown out of clubs because owners wanted them to do covers of the songs that were popular at the time. They began to rehearse and started playing the Sitar again and other clubs like The Ruins. They opened for Wet Willie, who was blown away. Jimmy Hall, their lead vocalist, suggested they make a trip to Macon to meet Phil Walden, president of Wet Willie's label, Capricorn Records. The Toy Factory went into the Mark V Studio in Greenville and cut some demos including Can't You See, Take the Highway and Hillbilly Band. Tommy and Toy took the tapes and went to see Phil. Capricorn booked the band at a club in Macon called Grant's Lounge (the showcase was later reported in Rolling Stone). The boys blew Phil away - who could be seen dancing in the aisles - and a record deal was soon done. The label, however, wanted one small change: the name had to go. The band headed back to Spartanburg and their rehearsal hall on Spring Street, perplexed as to what to call themselves. After a long day of working on their songs one of the members happened to look at the name on the tag to the key of their rehearsal room. It said Marshal Tucker (with only one "l"). "How about The Marshall Tucker Band?" No one objected and folklore was born. Later, the band found out that Marshal Tucker, a blind piano tuner, had been the previous occupant.
The Glory Years
MTB at the Ruins
Ironically, the band's debut was released on April Fool's Day in 1973. No one was laughing though. From the first notes of Take the Highway it was clear that this was no ordinary "hillbilly band". The album was highly praised by music critics and warmly received by fans as well, a dual feat not often achieved. It peaked at #29 on the Billboard charts and earned the band their first Gold Album. And though the single Can't You See wasn't a Top 40 hit, it became a staple of AOR radio stations. As the folks of Spartanburg already knew, these boys get your attention right away. Their homegrown popularity was never more evident than the day their album went on sale. By 6:30 in the morning several people were already in line to buy the record. By the time the store opened, there were 600 townspeople lined-up. MTB always remained proud of their origins, and to this day when they are introduced the announcer is asked to say those now famous words... "from Spartanburg, South Carolina - the Marshall Tucker Band".
Receiving their first Gold record
The band hit the gate running and never seemed to slow down. From 1972 until the break up of the original band in 1984 the band kept up an unrelenting schedule of tour dates and recording sessions. In between they went places none of them had ever dreamed. It all got rolling full-steam ahead with the release of their very first album. Soon they found themselves opening on the Allman Brothers 1973 tour, performing on TV on Don Kirhsner's Rock Concert and bringing in the new year on national radio. The band had arrived. Opportunity knocked and they had answered. The only question now was could they sustain the momentum?
A New Life seemed an appropriate title for their sophomore album. The boys from Spartanburg were indeed embarking on a new way of life. Nothing would ever be the same. And soon the would move from opening act to headliner. The pressure to deliver was now stronger than ever, but, just as with their second release, MTB delivered. A New Life climbed to #37 on the Billboard album charts and eventually went Gold. An Extended Play single featuring the songs 24 Hours at a Time, Blue Ridge Mountain Sky and A New Life was also released. This garnered the band airplay on Top 40 stations and continued to expose fans to their unique sound. It was certainly different than most everything else on mainstream radio.
The band performed over 300 shows in 1974. This began a tradition of lengthy tours. Over the next several years they would regularly do well over 200 dates a year. They blew away the headliners and soon became one themselves. And, just as they did when they decided to make it or break it with their own music, their shows were done on their own terms. As Toy told Raves magazine in 1975, "we don't have anything that we put up in front of us, we don't have props, we don't have costumes and dry ice. All we have is our music."
Toy and Tommy in the early 70's
It was amazing that Toy found time to write or that the band could create new music with their hectic schedule. But their next effort was bolder than anything they had tried before. They delivered not one, but two albums. The 1974 release was titled "Where We All Belong" and released as a double-LP package. One was all new studio material, the other live recordings of their standards, as well as a scorching rendition of the Peter Chapman song (made famous by B.B. King) Everyday I Have the Blues. Like its predecessors, the album achieved Gold status.
Though the release featured great new studio songs like This Ol Cowboy and In My Own Way, the highlight was the live cuts. They solidified the band's stature as a live act. While Take the Highway, Ramblin' and 24 Hours at a Time went over well the first time they were released as studio cuts (on the first two albums), the live versions captured the raw intensity that concert goers had come to love. This Ol Cowboy was edited (for length), released as a single and received airplay on country radio.
The band's momentum only grew stronger with the release of "Searchin' For a Rainbow" in the Fall of 1975. It became the band's highest charting album - hitting #15 on the charts - and was their first Platinum effort. Perhaps what made the success of this album such a surprise is that it was distinctively more laid back and more country than the previous three. In the Soho Weekly News George said "we wanted to do something different. Some jazz, some country, but not western. "It's a little mellower" adds Toy. ""With a big band influenced swing Walkin' & Talkin' and some countrified shuffles." George McCorkle's first songwriting effort for the band made its debut - and what a debut it was. Fire on the Mountain became the band's first Top 40 single, reaching #38 on the singles chart. It also contained a live version of Can't You See (that was supposed to be on the "Where We All Belong" album - the liner notes even indicate it is included on that LP) that would be played by AOR stations for years to come. Fire on the Mountain, along with Virginia and Searchin' For a Rainbow, formed a trilogy of songs that romanticize the Old West. Bob Away My Blues was an ode to one of Toy's loves - fishing. Country star Clint Black would cover the song on his 1999 CD "Delectrifed". They continued to play to sold out shows across the country. They also played at fund raisers for a southern boy who happened to be making a run at the presidency and upon Jimmy Carter's election, MTB was invited to play at his inaugural ball.
Toy, Jimmy & George - Fox Theater 1975
The band's next album was titled, appropriately enough, "Long Hard Ride". They had worked hard to get where they got in four short years. It wasn't long before that Toy and Tommy were working as plumbers. George had been a dental assistant. The others worked odd jobs so that they could keep their band gig. Now there was no looking back. They got what they always wanted - the chance to make music for a living. In a career of continuing firsts for the band, they earned their first Grammy nomination. The title song, an instrumental, was nominated in the Country Music category. MTB had never been - has never been - fully embraced by country music radio, so it was quite a shock when they got the nomination. Perhaps it was because of another first, the band's first "video" effort. Obviously, MTV hadn't come along yet, but the band thought it might be a good idea to shoot a short film for this song. In it the band is plays cowboys (the good guys, of course) who foil a stage coach robbery and ride off into the sunset. The album climbed to #32 on the charts and eventually went Gold. Many think it's the band's most underrated album. Fan favorites are Am I The Kind of Man and Holding On To You - both country songs. Other standouts are Walkin' the Streets Alone, a bluesy number, and Windy City Blues which has an R & B feel.
George, Paul and Toy on Hollywood Squares, 1976.
Not only was 1976 a big year for America, with its Bicentennial celebration, it was a big year for MTB as well. In Can't You See, Toy sings "gonna take a freight train" ... and the freight train that was MTB kept rolling as 1977 was ushered in. It would be their biggest year ever. As the band was preparing to go back in the studio for the next album, producer Paul Hornsby asked Toy if he had anything for the new release. He said "listen to this" and on an acoustic guitar played Heard It In A Love Song. Everyone sensed it would be a hit - and it shot up to #14 on the singles charts and propelled "Carolina Dreams" to Platinum status and # 23 on the album charts. It was the band's best selling LP to date. It featured several stellar songs about the Old West; the dark Never Trust a Stranger, the infectious Fly Like An Eagle, and perhaps the ultimate cowpoke tune, Desert Skies. I Should Have Never Started Loving You is heart-wrenching song that Doug helped write and sings with great emotion. Contrasting that sentiment is Life In A Song, the story of a romance that is able to be sustained even with the obstacles of the road.
Long Hard Ride Promo Poster
In the Summer of '77 the band held a benefit concert for the Shriners Hospital. Billed as the Homecoming, it wasn't really a homecoming at all because the boys had never left. They all still lived in Spartanburg and that's where they spent their time off when they weren't on the road. None-the-less everyone was glad the boys had achieved such great success and this was the party to cap it all. It seemed nothing could go wrong...
But Capricorn Records was floundering and MTB got caught up in the difficulties the label was experiencing. The powers that be at Capricorn assigned Stewart Levine to produce the band's next album, "Together Forever." It was the first recorded without producer Paul Hornsby and also the first to be recorded anywhere outside of the Macon Studios. This time the band laid the tracks down at Criteria Studios in Florida. Though a lesser band may have crumbled and used all the changes as an excuse, the band once again delivered and their effort was as strong as ever. The LP reached #22 on the album charts (even without the record company pushing it) and went Gold. Though it yielded no hit singles, there were several that would have been radio friendly, including the bitter-sweet Everybody Needs Somebody, the upbeat songs Dream Lover or I'll Be Loving You. It featured the first, and only, duet with Toy and Doug; Singing Rhymes. Perhaps the tell tale sign that more troubles lie ahead was Tommy's A Change Is Gonna Come. The band continued to play to SRO crowds at concert halls across the country, but changes were indeed waiting ahead.
1978 promo ad
Troubles at the record company continued. MTB would not release any more new material for Capricorn and the record company would soon fold. A live album that was recorded during the band's European tour, titled "Stomping Room Only", was never released. In 1978, Capricorn released MTB's "Greatest Hits" and the band was finished with their contract and with Capricorn.
France, 1976
Now without a contract, the band was pursued by several different major labels. During the fall of '78 Rolling Stone said MTB were the "hottest free agents to come to Madison Square Garden." A bidding war took place that was eventually won by Warner Brothers. In 1979 they released the stellar album, "Running Like the Wind". It, like their last Capricorn album, was produced by Stewart Levine. The title cut, which Toy said was his favorite song that he ever wrote, is an almost ten minute tour de force that embodies everything great about Marshall Tucker music. Two versions were released as singles. One, a four-minute 45 version for Top 40 radio, and a 33 1/3 Extended Play single that clocked in at almost six minutes. The song received considerable air play but didn't crack the Top 40. The album did go Gold and featured the stylings MTB had become famous for; country, swing, rock and roll, and jazz. Last of the Singing Cowboys was also released as a single and the band was extermely proud of it. In a Good Times interview in 1979 Jerry said he was more proud of it than "anything we've ever done. Listen to the rhythm section of it. Paul, George and Tommy are really playing a be-bop, almost kind of swing rhythtym, with stone country vocals, and it's a song about a cowboy with West Coast horns in it - really cool, sharp, classy sounding." Unto These Hills was another tale of the West. My Best Friend was a rocker about falling for someone you actually like and not lust for (imagine that!). Pass It On is a straight ahead country song that captures Toy philosophizing. Answer to Love is an understated offering that underlies the question that is being asked perfectly. Melody Ann features Tommy's debut as lead singer, though, oddly, he was not credited with it in the liner notes. "Running Like the Wind" proved once again that no matter what the obstacles, MTB overcomes and delivers.
Publicity picture which ran in Billboard magazine announcing the signing of MTB by Warner Brothers
The band's releases, starting with "Searchin' For a Rainbow", had been mellower and more reflective fare than their first few releases. 1980's "Tenth" found the boys opening up the throttle a little bit more again. The power chords of It Takes Time grab you from the word go. The same could be said for Sing My Blues. Save My Soul and Cattle Drive also allow the band to push the envelope. They do slow it down, though, especially with Foolish Dreaming and Without You. Levine again acted as producer and the album was popular with Tucker fans. Though the hit singles stopped coming and album sales began to dwindle just a bit, the band still sold out wherever they played - and they hadn't scaled back the size of the venues they were playing. Their core audience was still there. The fans knew live MTB was what it was all about anyway.
Sheet music for Last of the Singing Cowboys
Tragedy struck the Tucker family on March 28, 1980 when Toy and Tommy's youngest brother, twenty-four year old Tim, was killed in an automobile accident. Less than a month later, on April 22, Tommy was involved in an accident when his Jeep struck a car that had stalled on the street he was turning on to. Six days later, on April 28, he died from the head injuries he had sustained. He was only 30 years old. No one was sure if the band would continue on. The other members left the decision up to Toy. He said Tommy wouldn't have wanted us to stop. They hired old friend and former Toy Factory bassist Franklin Wilkie. The band carried on, but it soon became apparent things weren't the same. Tommy had been the leader of the band. If there was a problem he took care of it. He was the one that kept things together. Without him things began to come undone.
They Played On...
Amazingly the band continued to tour in 1980. The fans welcomed Toy and the boys back with open arms. Everyone could feel for what Toy was going through and the fans applause let him know the love they felt for Tommy and the band. Everyone mourned the loss of Tommy. Through the years, the music and the concerts, the fans felt as if they had come to know him. They were sad over his loss, but also glad that the Tuckers would carry on and deliver the music that they had come to love so well. For many, MTB's music had provided the soundtrack to their lives. Tommy would live on in their memory and his music... but soon everyone would realize it just wasn't the same.
MTB in 1981 with new member Franklin Wilkie
In a 1998 interview Abbie said "Toy had not been a part of the band since Tommy's death. He was there in body only. In hindsight Toy kept an awful lot inside. I can not imagine the pain he was in after his brothers' deaths. Toy put up a good strong front for others but now I know he had to be torn apart inside." Though Toy's live performance was still delivered with a vengeance, his writing just wasn't the same. After Tommy's death, Toy's songs lacked the passion of his earlier work. How could they not? Death is painful anytime, but losing two brothers within a month of each other? The void must have been incredible. Maybe Something's Missing In My Life, off the band's first album without Tommy, said more than we knew.
Ronrico Rum Ad, 1981
"Dedicated" was released 1981. The cover depicted Tommy with a great big, white cowboy hat on, saddled on a horse at the rim of the Grand Canyon as the sun is setting . When you flip the album over, the vision almost takes your breath away. The meaning of the artwork hits you... the cowboy is gone, the sun has set, and the night has come. But through the sadness, the music shines. The songs are all easy on the ears. Rumors Are Ragin' is a gentle rocker about the gossip that flows through a small town. It is the one and only song in which Paul T. is given songwriting credit (he co-authored it with Toy). Tonight's the Night (For Making Love) is a catchy tune written by George. Love Some, contributed from outside writers, is good but not typical Tucker fare. Perhaps the standout song on the release is Silverado, another tale of the West penned by George. The band filmed a video for it which aired on MTV, which, at the time, still was accepting of bands from all genres. The band also was featured on MTV, performing a full 90 minute concert, in it's entirety.
On the set of the Silverado video
The first side ends with the aforementioned Something's Missing. Side two is comprised of all Toy Caldwell compositions. All are good, but they aren't exactly what we were used to him delivering. Maybe it was because they were shorter and lacked the extended solos fans had become accustomed to. Maybe it was because, as George said, the label "wanted us to sound more like Poco". It could have been a number of reasons. Whatever it was, it wasn't the same. It was still good music, it just wasn't the same.
Recording at the band's Creative Arts Studios
In 1982 the band went in a different direction entirely. With the exception of Sea, Dreams and Fairy Tales - Toy's lightest effort to date - and Sweet Elaine, a nice country love song from George, all the songs on "Tuckerized" were from outside writers. The songs were considerably more Pop - and polished - than anything they had ever done. Warner pushed the single Mr. President, a tongue in cheek ode to the working man by Randy Newman, but it went nowhere. The performances on the songs are good, but few, if any, would have sounded at home on any of the early albums. On the other hand, the band had the right to try something new. Rolling Stone (who had praised the band when they first came out) had panned them on earlier efforts such as "Together Forever" for delivering the same 'ol style of music music and not venturing towards new horizons... but Tucker fans knew what they wanted and seemed not to care. The band continued it's hecitc touring schedule and sold out everywhere they played, but album sales sharply declined. Maybe it was because of a lack of support from Warner, maybe it was because of the New Wave craze or maybe it was because the new material just didn't click with long time Tuckerheads.
The band's next effort, "Just Us", was released in early 1983 and found the band headed back down a familiar road. Recorded at their very own Creative Arts Studios, it opened with a song that found the band returning to its roots. 8:05 was a funky and rollicking number by George and Franklin urging the listener to "get on that train, boy" so your dream don't pass you by. Stay a Step Ahead is a light ditty from Toy, Time Don't Pass By Here is a thoughtful reflection about not letting life pass you by contributed by new member Ronnie Godfrey (who had played keyboards for MTB on earlier tours and was previously a member of Garfeel Ruff). Testify is a urgent love song from Toy, Long Island Lady is a rocker by Doug and Jerry that features George on lead guitar, A Place I've Never Been and When Love Begins to Fade are both country songs penned by Toy and Ronnie respectively. Wait For You (Doug/Ronnie) and Paradise (Doug/George) both have elements of swing. Most of the songs are under four minutes and for that reason - though they tread familiar territory - come across a lot less Tuckeresque than their classic material. The band toured, but crowds began to thin a little. Maybe it was the new musical direction the band had experimented with, maybe it was the kids and mortgages their fans now were having to concern themselves with, maybe it was the changing musical landscape, but something drastic was changing.
In the fall of 1983, MTB would release their last album for Warner - and it was the last Tucker release that the majority of the original line-up would play on. Now it almost seems comical that it was titled "Greetings From South Carolina". If we'd only known it was really their farewll... Toy only contributed three songs, and two of them, Carolina Sunset and Rollin' River, were vintage Toy. For the first time in several albums the band let loose and played their free-form style. Sunset was over five minutes long and River over eight. They both included the elements of the early classic Tucker tunes. Unfortunately, they were the only two songs that did. The remainder were very good songs, but lacked the roots of Tucker music. Perhaps that's what had been missing on the past four albums - the heritage of the band had not fully been displayed. The foundation of what made the band great was not there. The songs that rounded off "Greetings" were a good listen. Blood Red Eagle was autobiographical and catchy. A Good Ole Hurtin' Song was, indeed, just that. The remainder, except for the southern gospel of Closer to Jesus, were songs very much in the country mold. Maybe the band was attempting to cross over and capture the same audience that Alabama was attracting. Had MTB delivered the country rock they became famous for in the 70's - which, ironically, paved the way for the likes of Alabama - I think they would have done so. They should have just been themselves and the fans that loved Alabama would have loved Tucker. I wish MTB had opened for Alabama around 1983. I think it may have changed the direction the Tucker boys were abut to take...
Sometime that fall, Toy, Doug, Jerry, George and Paul walked off the stage for the last time together. Many fans have asked why? In reality there were all kinds of reasons. Time, the road, different visions, new interests, death... it all took it's toll. The magic that these guys had created together was gone, so it was just time. They would all go in different directions. George would move to the coast of South Carolina for a time and then to Nashville, where he continues to live today, writing songs (and in 1999 he released his first solo CD, American Street). Paul opened The Carolina Stick Company (which produced drum sticks of course!) and he teaches a new generation of drummers how to play the skins. Occasionally he sat in with The Allman Brothers Band, with whom he won a Grammy (for his appearance on their Second Set CD in 1995). He and Jerry formed Seven Moore in the late 90's. Their debut CD was released in 2002. Toy put together a group of new musicians and hit the road in the mid-80's. They recorded some tracks that never were released. He then formed the Toy Caldwell Band and their CD was released in 1992. Tragically, he died the next year of heart failure. He was only forty-four years old. His contributions to the band and the world of music were immense. He was loved by so many. There had been talk of a reunion... But now, sadly, that can never be.
When the "original" band broke up in 1983, Doug and Jerry still had the desire to do what they loved. They were given the blessings of the others to carry on as the Marshall Tucker Band - and that they did!
The Story Continues...
The rest of the story Coming Soon!