The Chambers Brothers

• Genre: '60s Oldies
• Hometown: Los Angeles

About

Mostly noted for their '60s compilation-friendly hit "Time Has Come Today," the Mississippi-bred Chambers Brothers (four actual brothers) were a notable Funk-Rock band and one of the first to bring their Gospel tinged sound to rock radio. Heavily influenced by the wave of psychedelia, they peppered their records with curious sound effects and mild drug references ("All Strung Out Over You"). Opting to pursue a more rock route, they stiffened the edges when covering soul staples like "People Get Ready" or "In the Midnight Hour." They had hit their creative ceiling by the early '70s but remained influential by opening up a breeding ground for the cross-pollination of musical genres.

- Jon Pruett