The Serpent Power

The Serpent Power

The Serpent Power is a San Francisco psychedelic folk rock band active from 1966 to 1968. It forms around David Meltzer and his wife Tina Meltzer, with a line-up that includes Denny Ellis on lead guitar, David Stenson on bass, John Payne on organ, and Clark Coolidge on drums. The group is part of the 1960s West Coast rock scene and combines folk rock and psychedelic rock.

Line-up and development

Ellis and Stenson come from The Grass Roots, and Payne joins as the band develops into a fuller rock outfit. After the first self-titled album is recorded, Ellis, Stenson and Payne leave and are replaced by Bob Cuff on lead guitar and Jim Mocoso on bass. J.P. Pickens also appears on electric banjo during the later period.

Recording history

The band records one self-titled album and does not make a second album before disbanding in 1968. Its line-up at different points includes David Meltzer on guitar, harmonica and vocals; Tina Meltzer on vocals; Denny Ellis on lead guitar; David Stenson on bass; John Payne on organ; Clark Coolidge on drums; J.P. Pickens on electric banjo; Bob Cuff on lead guitar; and Jim Mocoso on bass.