The “Golden Hits Of The 60s”
Main MenuConcept Refinement The Author..Wayne JancikGolden Age Of The 50sGolden Age Of The 60s1970s and There After
SPIRAL STAIRCASE
“MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY”
(Pat Upton)
Columbia 44741
No. 12 June 14, 1969
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The Sacramento-based Spiral Staircase had been work ing the varnish off of their tootsies for half a
decade before they received their first and only national notice. For years, they paid their dues in home-
town liquor holes and tacky Reno/Tahoe lounges. When SONNY KNIGHT “discovered” the Spirals at a
Las Vegas gig, they consisted of Pat Upton (lead vocals, guitar), Harvey Kaye (organ), Dick Lopes (sax),
Vinny Parello (drums), and Bobby Raymond (bass).
Sonny liked their stuff, and approached their man ager about cutting some sides on the group for Colum
bia Records. Upton’s brassy “More Today Than Yesterday,” the Spiral Staircase’s second single, was a
shiny success. Two follow-ups charted–“No One for Me to Turn To” (#52, 1969) and “She’s Ready”
(#72, 1970)–and their future seemed bright.
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Horns were hot at that point in pop history: Chicago (Transit Authority) was waiting in the wings, and
Blood, Sweat & Tears was invading the Top 10. Unfortunately, Spiral Staircase could not re-create their
record’s sophisticated brass arrangements in a live setting, since they didn’t blow their own horns. Pop
fans were sticklers–at this point–for authenticity: a brassy band had to have brass, simple as that.
Abruptly, the end was at hand. Nothing further made of vinyl and stuffed in a sleeve by this band ever
made the charts again.
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Well into the ’90s, Pat Upton has been working the oldies circuit, singing again and yet again, possibly
more than ever: “More Today Than Yesterday.”