Biography
The Ace of Cups gained solid footing on the late-1960s San Francisco rock circuit through frequent local gigs and occasional trips farther afield, sometimes backing major acts including Jefferson Airplane. Their rarity as an all-female self-contained band further heightened interest in that time and setting. Nothing appeared on record during their run, leaving them largely forgotten outside the recollections of those who caught them live. A 2003 compact disc gathered previously unreleased late-1960s material that mixed raw bluesy garage rock, wistful harmony-rich gospel-tinged songs, and offbeat tracks laced with period social commentary and satire. The performances display more promise than polished achievement, however, and come across somewhat rough and derivative next to stronger San Francisco contemporaries.
Formation took place in Haight-Ashbury exactly when psychedelic rock surged, and the group concentrated on original songs that most members wrote while everyone sang. Guitarist Denise Kaufman contributed more songs and lead vocals than the others; she had previously sung and played harmonica on the little-known 1966 garage single by Denise & Company and had been the ex-girlfriend of future Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner. Ambrose Hollingsworth served as their first manager after earlier handling Quicksilver Messenger Service until a car accident disabled him. Ron Polte eventually took over the role, having already replaced Hollingsworth with Quicksilver.
Despite noticeable Bay Area recognition and a quick mention in the December 1967 issue of Melody Maker from Jimi Hendrix, with whom they had performed a free concert in the Golden Gate Park panhandle shortly after the Monterey Pop Festival, no record deal arrived. Offers from Warner Bros., Capitol, and Fantasy were on the table, yet management judged the band unready or the terms unsuitable; keyboardist Marla Hunt later noted that Albert Grossman’s interest was also turned down by Polte. Reluctance within the group to tour in support of releases played a part as well, since some members were beginning families. Indirectly the Ace of Cups surfaced on other releases when Kaufman’s “Flute Song” was included on Quicksilver Messenger Service’s 1969 album Shady Grove, and the band supplied backing vocals for Quicksilver, Jefferson Airplane, Nick Gravenites, and Mike Bloomfield.
Early-1970s momentum faded as original members departed and the lineup shifted enough to include three men at one point, bringing the group to a close around 1972. Late-1960s rehearsals, demos, television soundstage recordings, and concert tapes were assembled for the 2003 Big Beat compilation It’s Bad for You But Buy It!, which also contains “Boy, What’ll You Do Then” from Denise & Company’s 1966 single.
Formation took place in Haight-Ashbury exactly when psychedelic rock surged, and the group concentrated on original songs that most members wrote while everyone sang. Guitarist Denise Kaufman contributed more songs and lead vocals than the others; she had previously sung and played harmonica on the little-known 1966 garage single by Denise & Company and had been the ex-girlfriend of future Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner. Ambrose Hollingsworth served as their first manager after earlier handling Quicksilver Messenger Service until a car accident disabled him. Ron Polte eventually took over the role, having already replaced Hollingsworth with Quicksilver.
Despite noticeable Bay Area recognition and a quick mention in the December 1967 issue of Melody Maker from Jimi Hendrix, with whom they had performed a free concert in the Golden Gate Park panhandle shortly after the Monterey Pop Festival, no record deal arrived. Offers from Warner Bros., Capitol, and Fantasy were on the table, yet management judged the band unready or the terms unsuitable; keyboardist Marla Hunt later noted that Albert Grossman’s interest was also turned down by Polte. Reluctance within the group to tour in support of releases played a part as well, since some members were beginning families. Indirectly the Ace of Cups surfaced on other releases when Kaufman’s “Flute Song” was included on Quicksilver Messenger Service’s 1969 album Shady Grove, and the band supplied backing vocals for Quicksilver, Jefferson Airplane, Nick Gravenites, and Mike Bloomfield.
Early-1970s momentum faded as original members departed and the lineup shifted enough to include three men at one point, bringing the group to a close around 1972. Late-1960s rehearsals, demos, television soundstage recordings, and concert tapes were assembled for the 2003 Big Beat compilation It’s Bad for You But Buy It!, which also contains “Boy, What’ll You Do Then” from Denise & Company’s 1966 single.
Albums