Biography
Drawing from the ethereal sounds of the Moody Blues alongside the synth-heavy progressive stylings of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, yet anchored in the accessible strains of late-sixties West Coast American pop, Froggie Beaver began its run in a Nebraska region largely devoid of rock activity during the closing years of the 1960s. Lead vocalist John Troia, keyboardist Ed Staszko, drummer Tom Jackson, and guitarist John Fischer had first connected while attending junior high in Omaha, Nebraska. Early on the group focused on writing its own material and cultivated a distinctive approach in which Staszko handled both organ and key bass at once, echoing Ray Manzarek’s technique with the Doors. Despite cultivating a loyal local audience, the decision to avoid top 40 material left the musicians deeper in debt than in earnings by 1971, since the policy blocked access to the region’s prime bookings and social events. That autumn the members, weary of financial strain, shifted to performing commercial covers and adopted the name Froggie Beaver. After rehearsing in Staszko’s basement they quickly secured a residency at a Council Bluffs, Iowa club. Three months later the venue’s owner expanded into larger quarters to handle the nightly crowds. Buoyed by the response, the band gradually reintroduced original numbers, which listeners embraced at once. All four quit college and regular jobs, pooled resources to rent a shared house, and committed to a full-time career. They brought on a manager and began routing shows across the Midwest, frequently supporting national acts and sometimes headlining independently. Tom Jackson departed in early 1973; Rick Brown took his place on drums. In July the quartet tracked its only album, From the Pond, with producer David Sandler, previously associated with Brian Wilson. While promoting the release the band added Steve Beedle on second guitar, yet by autumn 1974 Froggie Beaver had dissolved.