The Kingston Trio and me go way back. Let me explain.

On September 20, 2018, I attended my 55th Lowell High School reunion held at the Spinnaker Restaurant in Sausalito CA.  Pam and I don’t get over to Sausalito often. So after the reunion we took a walk along the waterfront to see what had changed over the years.

The Trident and Kingston Trio

I wanted to revisit The Trident Restaurant in Sausalito, once owned by the Kingston Trio. The Trident holds some significance for me, as the Trio were my folk music heroes back in high school. And, in 1961 my high school folk singing group was honored by being invited to play our music for a group of San Francisco socialites. They had chartered a Blue and White Fleet boat (or was it Red and White?), to take the lot of us across the Bay from S.F. to Sausalito. It was to be the opening night of the upstairs room at The Trident. We were on our way to “the big time,” and we were thrilled. We all arrived at the pier and boarded the boat.

The Trident, Sausalito, once owned by The Kingston TrioMenu from The Trident, Sausalito CA

Rocking the Boat

The gig was not what we had expected, however. Once on board, we were told that we were only to entertain people on the boat going to and from Sausalito. Maybe we could sing a song or two on stage at the venue, if lucky. That would have been fine with us, if it were to be our only disappointment. But that night the San Francisco Bay was choppy, so it was almost impossible for us to sing and be heard above the motor noise. We also struggled to keep our balance while trying to stand and play our instruments as the boat rocked back and forth. But it didn’t matter so much that we couldn’t be heard; we were there!

The Trident, Sausalito CA

Up to that time my only association with the great Kingston Trio or any great group had been my long hours of listening to records and learning their music. But my imagination had no limits and I took this as a gig from God. Just think, only 15 years old and invited to play for a Trio function. That was enough!

 I can’t remember the composition of our high school folk group that year, other than Cathy, David and Steve. If you were also in the band that night, please blog in and share your impressions.  Mike