Eternity's Children was an American sunshine pop band that originated in Cleveland, Mississippi, as a folk group known as the Phantoms. The Phantoms began with two students, composed of vocalist/keyboardist Bruce Blackman and drummer Roy Whittaker. Soon, the group added lead guitarist Johnny Walker, rhythm guitarist Jerry Bounds, and bassist Charlie Ross, and began developing the complex, overlapping vocal harmonies that were utilized when they became Eternity's Children in 1967. Their one and only hit, "Mrs. Bluebird", reached number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 58 in Canada.
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👉 Eternity's Children in the context of Sunshine pop
Sunshine pop (originally called soft pop and soft rock) is a loosely defined form of pop music that was first associated with early soft rock producers and songwriters based in Los Angeles, California, during the mid- to late 1960s. Its studio-centric sound was primarily rooted in folk rock and easy listening, typically featuring rich harmony vocals and progressive elements, while lyrics combined idyllic imagery with a subtle awareness of societal change, melancholic undertones, and countercultural themes. It was among the dominating music styles heard in television, film, and commercials of the era.
Branching from the nascent California sound, the movement initially straddled multiple styles among many groups who existed briefly while adapting to evolving music trends, resulting in much crossover with bubblegum, folk-pop, garage rock, baroque pop, and psychedelia. Most groups were less successful sound-alikes of acts such as the Mamas & the Papas, led by John Phillips, and the 5th Dimension, whose songs were initially helmed by Jimmy Webb. Curt Boettcher produced numerous key records for the Association, Eternity's Children, his band the Millennium, and with collaborator Gary Usher (Sagittarius). Though the Beach Boys rarely approached the style, Brian Wilson's production of their 1966 album Pet Sounds was a foundational influence on this milieu, as were the arrangements of Burt Bacharach.
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