The Slithy Toves / Childhood's End

One of the most influential rock bands of the 1960’s began at the University of Virginia, “The Slithy Toves,” the band that changed music, and the pop culture, forever at UVa and beyond. Founded in 1967, the original members were Jon Harris (Vocals), Don Smith (Drums), Bruce Brandfon (Bass), Chet Blackstone (Guitar) and Lou Cordera (Keyboards). They collaborated in the composition of original material, performed to appreciative crowds and reveled in the joy of performance. Hard-Rock, heavily influenced by Jazz, was the genre and audiences were treated to structured and lyrical melodies interrupted only by soul-wrenching solos performed by each of its talented members. They filled venues and motivated crowds to sway to the music and, looking like millions of fireflies, the throngs paid tribute with candles, matches, lighters and other luminaria. This novel demonstration of appreciation became popular world-wide some years thereafter. In 1968, the band changed personnel losing Harris and Blackstone in favor of Barry Smith (Guitar) and Kent Beyer (Bass). This change permitted Brandfon to come of age and soar as a saxophonist, Beyer to excel as the rhythmic and melodic foundation, and, Smith (Don’s Brother) to alter the group’s personality forever with chord and note. In 1970, the Toves was renamed as “Chidhood’s End” after a relocation to New Jersey. They lived and worked together in a large house on a farm with a common purpose. They recorded first at the historic Decca Studios in New York and then at Chordata records in Manhattan. The band continued the association, that began in 1967, until 1979 and, during that time, shared many exciting adventures.

Charlottesville, VA