CANNABIS

Surprisingly few groups chose to brand themselves after a substance so pervasive within the late-1960s music scene, a choice that might have been expected to generate immediate attention. Rhode Island’s Cannabis nevertheless remained largely unknown beyond New England despite releasing the sole album Joint Effort, a sturdy pop/rock set that avoided heavy-rock conventions. The group’s roots lay in the mid-’60s Acetones, whose drummer Bob Randall recruited Gary Wilkinson on bass; the pair quickly recognized a strong musical rapport and began rehearsing together apart from the Acetones. This partnership prompted them to form a new band, bringing in Lonny Gasperini on keyboards. Gasperini soon departed, after which Tony Rodriguez took lead guitar and Charles Robillard took bass, shifting Wilkinson to keyboards. Operating as Organized Confusion, they cut several Randall/Wilkinson originals that failed to chart as singles. Robillard was drafted within months, Gasperini returned, and Wilkinson resumed bass duties. The band adopted the name Cannabis, performing covers while Randall and Wilkinson kept developing original material. Robillard later rejoined as manager and arranged shows extending as far as Texas. There the group tracked “See You in the Morning” and “The Only Rock ’N’ Stock”; the positive response encouraged them to attempt a complete album. After adding guitarist Brian Kelly and vocalist Keith Tweedy, Cannabis headed back to New England and recorded Joint Effort at Eastern Sound Studios in Methuen, Massachusetts. The LP earned local airplay in Providence and Boston, yet the band’s rapid dissolution prevented wider success.