Wizards From Kansas - Wizards From Kansas (Vinyl)

American country-psych rock group from Kansas. In 1968, 4 of the 5 original members formed a band called New West, and began playing in the Lawrence, Kansas area & near Kansas University. Guitarist Robert Manson Crain, from California, joined the group soon thereafter, expanding to a quintet. Coffin and Pierce had already met via the band In Black And White who recorded some 2 songs with Stephen Barncard in 1967.

"At that time, the guys were calling themselves Pig Newton, and then Pig Newton And The Wizards From Kansas. The name Pig Newton was apparently one of their inside jokes, however, as there was no one named Pig in the group. The band would often make up stories about Pig Newton to confuse people, according to Crain (whose songs, incidentally, are credited to either C. Manson Roberts or Mance Roberts).

The five-man group played shows in the local area, and in the summer of 1969, toured the east coast of the USA. They were invited to play the Fillmore East in the fall of that year, a gig that led to them being offered a number of record deals, which they initially turned down. Finally, towards the end of the year, Mercury Records persuaded the band to sign a contract. The label reps did not like the Pig Newton part of their name, however, and made the group drop it. Six months later, in July and August of 1970, the band recorded its eponymous debut album in San Francisco.

The album was issued in October 1970, but a week before its release, drummer Marc Caplan and bassist Bob Menadier decided that they'd rather play jazz instead of rock and left the band to pursue those interests. With no band to promote the record, Mercury immediately lost interest and the album sank without a trace. The Wizards From Kansas disbanded shortly thereafter. (Source: Bryan Thomas, AllMusic)

Source: Discogs