The sisters that introduced Glenn to JD Souther

We've all read the articles where Glenn talks about following a girlfriend out to LA, hooking up with her, and being introduced through her to JD Souther who was dating her sister. Well, I found this article about those ladies, Joan and Alex Sliwin! Apparently the two sisters as well as a couple other girls had a band in Detroit and the Mushrooms were their backup band. Reading this article, though, Joan makes no reference to any romance with Glenn. From this, it seems like she simply knew him from Detroit, so when he came to LA she let him crash at her place before he got one of his own. She also says he was running from a draft notice - I'd never heard that before!

And then, of course, she introduced him to her sister's new boyfriend... and the rest is history. I'm betting that these girls were the "Alexandra / Joan Claudia" thanked on the Longbranch Pennywhistle album for their "Inspirationticipation."

Just found it a cool little piece of context. :) FYI - in the photo - Joan is the girl with the long dark hair, second from the right. The girl next to her with the long blonde hair is her sister Alex, JD's girlfriend.


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I've seen this article before, soda. It's interesting isn't it?

I believe Glenn has produced some of the Laura mentioned in the article's work. (Laura Creamer)

Now I need to re-watch San Diego. I've seen recent pictures of Laura, (during a late night Google fest, no doubt), and I'm thinking that she's one of the back-up singers on the SD video. During introductions, Glenn does mention that one of them is from Detroit and sang back-up with him on Ramblin' Gamblin' Man but right now I can't remember the girl's names.

I listened to the band intros on San Diego again. The brunette backup singer's name is Laura -different last name. Could have been a previous married name, I suppose.

It is the same lady after all! When I was compiling my tour pages, I looked up all of the backing band to make sure I spelled their names right. I looked her up and found out that she at one time went by Laura Creamer-Dunville. But it looks like she might have lost Mr. Dunville, as she's back to Laura Creamer according to her official site.


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That's an interesting find, Nancy. I didn't realise JD had actually married his girlfriend - my impression was that things had fizzled out with the sisters pretty quickly once the two guys formed their band. I can't imagine that young GF crashing at a pad with four girls could have been entirely platonic!


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This way to happiness...

I was surprised by that too, Kate. Apparently it wasn't until after Longbranch Pennywhistle was recorded that the two guys started living together sans the sisters.


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Too bad the camera isn't on Laura when Glenn tells his "What do you call a musician without a girlfriend...homeless" joke during SD. Laura is probably nodding in agreement!

That's very interesting.

The other backup singer in San Diego is Rosemary Butler, who did a lot of work for Jackson Browne and other country rock mafia people (it's her singing a verse on Stay).

Thanks for posting that article, Nancy. I had never read it before. It is always interesting to me to read the backstories and biographies of the people who influenced the Eagles in any way.

Yeah - this is some pretty interesting stuff, even though it is fairly vague on some of the facts. I have read and even heard Glenn say on several occasions that he came to L.A. after a girlfriend. So even if Joan didn't consider Glenn to be her boyfriend, apparently he didn't agree.;) If I remember correctly, I don't think they dated very long after he arrived.

As far as Glenn dodging the draft - apparentedly, he did. However, from all accounts, he did it legally. The change of residence apparently was a necessary, albeit convenient loophole. I remember this being discussed on Eagleland,so I included the link.

eaglesfans.sonicdns2.net/...php?t=5210


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I'm just a hired hand working on the dreams I plan to try. The days go by...

Yes, thanks for the link, Kay. I particularly enjoyed reading that interview with Glenn. I wonder if he ever will write his book?


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This way to happiness...

I wondered the same thing Kate - and then I remembered what happened when Felder wanted to write a book, lol. I guess it was just a joke.


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I'm not sure that it was a joke. He has mentioned it on several occasions.

Really! Well, I certainly hope he was serious. That would sure be an interesting read. Wonder if he'd call it "Big Life"? ;)


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Interesting read it would be, indeed. I think it should be titled "Happy, Bitchin', Lazy Life." :D


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I'm just a hired hand working on the dreams I plan to try. The days go by...

Just reviving this ancient thread because I got a Google alert that these ladies still perform to this day - in this case, at Delay's Old Time Rock'n'Roll Concert on Aug. 8. They now call themselves "Like Honey."

It's funny that when they first came out to L.A., it seemed as if the Sliwin sisters were going to be the successful ones. Hmmm - Often wondered if Joan wishes she had hung out with Glenn a little longer - might have made a difference in her career - you never know. :wink:

I'm a big fan of the 1971 movie Vanishing Point which has a Longbranch/Pennywhistle song in the movie but not on the sountrack. There is also a song which does appear on the soundtrack by a female band named Eve. Before Eve they were called Honey Ltd. and included both of the Sliwin sisters. Both bands put out 1 album and I was able to find a torrent containing both. There's a few vids on Youtube here:

Honey Ltd.:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwF7H4L6b3Q[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDN9yI49NrQ[/ame]

Eve: (Alex left to marry JD Souther):
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2iBxS4axGk[/ame]

Interesting! Their sound definitely takes you back in a time warp!

Thanks d11!

Ooh, cool! Thanks duster!

I actually bought Vanishing Point just to hear the Longbranch Pennywhistle snippet. Not my kind of movie - I think it's more of a guy's flick - but worth it for that little bit of song! I never realized Eve was in there, too.

Too bad about Alex leaving the group to marry Souther only to have the marriage fall apart in a pretty short time.

We've all heard about how Glenn followed a girlfriend to California where he met JD Souther who was dating/married to Glenn's girlfriend's sister.

The sisters were part of a four piece girl group who were called The Mama Cats when they were in Michigan but changed the name to Honey Ltd when they got to California. I believe I've read that Bob Seger dated one of the other girls in the group, too. Laura Creamer (Polkinghorne) has worked as a backing singer with Bob and Glenn and Glenn provided backing vocals on one of her albums.

I found this interview where Alex and Joan Sliwin of the women discuss their first album, along with photos and links to youtube.

http://www.self-titledmag.com/2013/0...wood-sessions/

This one does mention Glenn and JD:
http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/enter...d8ZKbBTbDs5xH/

Quote:

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During this time, the sisters also played a small role in the formation of music’s next big thing — the Eagles. Frey was Joan’s boyfriend (“I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one,” Joan says of their fluid relationship), and had followed her from Detroit to L.A., staying at her apartment and hoping to break into the West Coast recording scene.
Naturally, Joan’s boyfriend was introduced to Alex’s husband, and Souther and Frey formed a band called Longbranch Pennywhistle. They released one album, with Joan’s inside cover drawings and a dedication to both sisters as their inspiration.
After that album didn’t take off, Frey soon created the Eagles with Don Henley, and Souther would be like an ex-facto member of the group, co-writing several of their hits, from “Best of My Love” to “New Kid In Town.” Would it have happened without the Sliwin sisters? Probably, but their part has been overlooked in histories of the band.

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Thanks UTW great catch!!

I am just beginning to read this feature article and it's fabulous. Right away we learn the Sliwin sisters lived down the street from Motown's Hitsville USA and Aretha Franklin. Whoa!

Going back to finish reading just wanted to say a quick thank you. I don't think I'd have found this little gem on my own so I appreciate you taking the time to share with us and post the link.

Edited to add

They sound great and clearly enjoy singing and performing together. Good for them I wish they'd had more commercial success seems it wasn't for lack of trying or talent ... IMHO they needed a major radio played hit song to give them wider exposure. I also think the Vegas-like act when they wanted to do contemporary music was another misstep. Sure wish they'd recorded Eli's Coming.

Side note: Brian Wilson's first wife Marilyn, her sister Diane and her cousin also had a girl group, The Honeys and Spring.

Interesting articles! Thanks UtW!

I love reading charming stories like that! To be a fly on the wall in those early days...

I vaguely remember a thread on these ladies here years ago, but of course it didn't have this article with the YouTube links. Thanks for finding this!

Still, I think I'll merge the two threads - if I can find the old one - to keep all our Honey Ltd info in one place.

Again, thanks!!

So, that thread I was speaking of - it was started ELEVEN years ago, dang! That was the first year this forum existed (if you don't count Flip City)! I've merged 'em.

Anyway, it's cool to see the sisters in action. Even now, they sound great.

I love their cover of Eli's Coming!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eEs2jrliRtk

Here's video of them performing for the Bob Hope Christmas Special

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=azGa1Y3otLw

Thanks for finding the old thread and merging. I think I misspelt "Sliwin" when searching.

Sometimes, it's as interesting to read about the groups who don't quite make it. They're still all looking good, so whatever they ended up doing, it seems to have suited them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by UndertheWire

... Sometimes, it's as interesting to read about the groups who don't quite make it. They're still all looking good, so whatever they ended up doing, it seems to have suited them.

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Edited for relevance

I agree UTW, I'm very interested in pop culture and the evolution of music especially the Laurel Canyon scene of the 60's-70's.

More than anything it appears being in the right place at the right time determined the fate of various musicians and songwriters all competing for the attention of record labels, producers and managers.

Talent was important but not a guarantee e.g Judee Sill who tragically died in 1979 and had a measurable impact on the music and artists of that time period.

https://www.theguardian.com/observer...369079,00.html

Excerpt

"For JD Souther, who broke Sill's heart and inspired her song 'Jesus Was a Crossmaker', there was nobody more important in his musical career, which included co-writing some of the Eagles' biggest hits."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sodascouts

And then, of course, she introduced him to her sister's new boyfriend... and the rest is history. I'm betting that these girls were the "Alexandra / Joan Claudia" thanked on the Longbranch Pennywhistle album for their "Inspirationticipation."

Just found it a cool little piece of context. :) FYI - in the photo - Joan is the girl with the long dark hair, second from the right. The girl next to her with the long blonde hair is her sister Alex, JD's girlfriend.
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Thank you! I've seen some of these pics but I didn't know which one was Joan.

I'm not sure this is relevant, and admins, feel free to delete this if it's not...but I'm a fan of the 90s tv show Highlander and I've been watching it on dvd lately. There's a beautiful Irish folk song that is featured in the show. After watching this show for years, I looked up who sang it. It's Laura Creamer- maiden name Laura Polkinghorne, who was in Honey Ltd. with the Sliwin sisters. Laura Creamer has sung back-up for Bob Seger and on Glenn's solo material. I was absolutely floored....years of watching this show and I just found out there's a connection to Glenn.

Cool! Is this the song? [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dysGDr-QZNQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dysGDr-QZNQ[/ame]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by UndertheWire

I found this interview where Alex and Joan Sliwin of the women discuss their first album, along with photos and links to youtube.

http://www.self-titledmag.com/2013/0...wood-sessions/

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I'm loving Honey Ltd! Better late than never.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NightMistBlue

Cool! Is this the song? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dysGDr-QZNQ

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Yes it is! It's use in the show was very beautiful. I still can't get over it, I've been watching this show for years and had no idea there was a connection.