Don Irving

Don Irving, the son of a career military man, spent his early childhood in Germany, before returning to California at age nine.[1] His first band was The Showmen, where he played with Butch Engle, later of Butch Engle & the Styx.[1] Irving then joined The Opposite Six, which featured Bill Champlin and two other future members of the Sons of Champlin.[1] In 1965, he played on demos composed by Beau Brummels' lead vocalist, Sal Valentino.[1] Touring had heightened tensions within the Beau Brummels and led to the departure of Declan Mulligan.[2] Later that year, guitarist Ron Elliott was no longer able to perform live after suffering seizures from his diabetic condition.[1] Elliott's father, who managed the Brummels as well as the Styx, was recommended by Engle to recruit Irving as a temporary replacement on the road.[1][2] Irving became a permanent member in early 1966, and he performed on the band's third album—and first on Warner Bros. Records—Beau Brummels '66.[1] He also played on the band's single, "One Too Many Mornings", a Bob Dylan cover.[1] Drummer John Petersen recalled, "Irving was really cool. He played all of Elliott's licks perfectly. By then we had three albums and we were still a good draw but the vibes in the band weren't healthy. It was really strained. I would go out to Laurel Canyon and people weren't talking to each other. By the time we got sold to Warner Brothers, we weren't the same band anymore".[2] Following the album's release, Petersen quit the band to join Harpers Bizarre,[3] and Irving left when he received an induction notice into the armed forces.[1] In 2002, Irving joined original members Valentino and Ron Meagher for a concert tour.[1]