Harpers Bizarre blended rich harmonies, baroque arrangements, and feel-good melodies that made them stand out during the sunshine pop era of the 1960s. Best known for their bright and breezy version of “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy),” the band delivered a series of easy listening hits before disbanding in the early 1970s.
Though their chart success was brief, Harpers Bizarre left a lasting impression with their cheerful sound, sophisticated orchestration, and covers of classic standards and contemporary tracks by artists like Van Dyke Parks and Randy Newman.
| Artist Name | Harpers Bizarre |
|---|---|
| Origin | Santa Cruz, California, USA |
| Genres | Sunshine Pop, Baroque Pop, Soft Rock |
| Years Active | 1963–1970, 1976 (reunion) |
| Members | Ted Templeman, Dick Scoppettone, John Petersen, Dick Yount, Eddie James, Tom Sowell |
| Notable Hit | “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” |
Formation and Early Days
Harpers Bizarre began as The Tikis, a surf-rock and Beatles-inspired group from Santa Cruz. The original lineup included Ted Templeman (vocals, guitar, trumpet), Dick Scoppettone (vocals, guitar), Eddie James, and Dick Yount. Later, John Petersen, previously of The Beau Brummels, joined as drummer.
The Tikis found modest success locally and released several singles under Autumn Records. But a major turning point came when producer Lenny Waronker encouraged them to rebrand and record a cover of “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy),” written by Paul Simon.
Becoming Harpers Bizarre
View this post on Instagram
Inspired by the fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar, the group adopted the quirky name Harpers Bizarre to reflect a more refined, orchestrated musical direction. Their version of “Feelin’ Groovy” was a polished, baroque-pop reworking filled with vocal harmonies, flutes, strings, and sunshine vibes.
The song was released in late 1966 and became a hit in early 1967, reaching:
-
#13 on the Billboard Hot 100
-
#4 on the Adult Contemporary chart
-
#34 on the UK Singles Chart
It became their signature song and a defining track of the sunshine pop movement.
Musical Style and Influence
Harpers Bizarre stood out for their unique blend of:
-
Elaborate orchestration
-
Light, cheery vocal harmonies
-
A nostalgic mix of traditional pop and experimental arrangements
Their influences ranged from The Beach Boys to The Swingle Singers, with touches of jazz, classical, and vaudeville.
They were part of the “baroque pop” trend, alongside artists like The Left Banke, The Zombies, and Sagittarius—groups that layered lush production over pop melodies.
More Hits and Notable Songs
Although “Feelin’ Groovy” was their biggest hit, Harpers Bizarre charted with several other singles—especially on the easy listening charts.
Other Top Tracks:
-
“Come to the Sunshine” (1967)
-
Written by Van Dyke Parks
-
#37 on the Hot 100, Top 10 Adult Contemporary
-
-
“Anything Goes” (1967)
-
A cover of Cole Porter’s show tune
-
#43 on the Hot 100, #6 Adult Contemporary, #33 UK
-
Featured in the 1970 film The Boys in the Band
-
-
“Chattanooga Choo Choo” (1968)
-
A swing-era classic by Glenn Miller
-
Peaked at #45 pop, but #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart
-
Their albums often featured surprising tracklists, from Broadway standards to original material by Randy Newman, whom they helped spotlight in the late ’60s.
Albums and Evolution
The band released four studio albums during their initial run:
-
Feelin’ Groovy (1967)
-
Anything Goes (1967)
-
The Secret Life of Harpers Bizarre (1968)
-
Harpers Bizarre 4 (1969)
These records mixed pop culture whimsy with lush instrumentation. As trends shifted in the late 1960s, the group’s sound became less commercially viable. Despite this, their creativity continued, incorporating elements of psychedelia and orchestral pop.
Soundtrack and TV Work
Harpers Bizarre also contributed music to pop culture projects, including the soundtrack for:
-
I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968)
-
A romantic comedy starring Peter Sellers
-
Featured some of their more experimental and whimsical work
-
Breakup and Reunion
After releasing Harpers Bizarre 4, the band disbanded in 1970. Tastes in music had moved on, and sunshine pop had faded from the charts.
In 1976, five of the original members (minus Templeman) reunited to record As Time Goes By, an album filled with nostalgia and lush vocal arrangements. The reunion was brief but gave fans one last glimpse of the band’s signature charm.
Legacy and Later Recognition
Though their career was relatively short, Harpers Bizarre has enjoyed a revival among collectors and sunshine pop fans. In 1997, Warner Bros. released:
-
Feelin’ Groovy: The Best of Harpers Bizarre
This compilation brought their music to new listeners and reminded old fans of the lighthearted sophistication the group brought to the 1960s pop scene.
Ted Templeman’s Career Afterward:
Templeman went on to become a hugely successful producer. He worked with major artists such as:
-
Van Halen
-
The Doobie Brothers
-
Carly Simon
-
Nicolette Larson
His polished production style shaped the sound of rock and pop into the 1980s.
Conclusion
Harpers Bizarre captured a specific mood in American pop music—one that celebrated joy, harmony, and musical sophistication. Though often remembered for one song, their catalog offers much more.
From whimsical covers to finely arranged originals, they contributed to the 1960s soundscape in a meaningful and memorable way. Their music remains a sunny time capsule of a brighter, groovier era.