The Narrow Ways

The Narrow Ways have been referred to as the first Christian rock band. They were initially formed as part of a touring Christian youth ensemble, the Something Singers. It was the vision of the founder, Sonny Salsbury, to have a group of young Christian performers that would provide contemporary entertainment with a Christian theme that would appeal to the 60's generation.
The Narrow Ways were comprised of Wendell Wellman, rhythm guitar and vocals, Ron Salsbury, vocals and percussion, John Friesen, drums and vocals, GaryShaffer, lead guitar and vocals, and Chris Uchabori, bass. Their first performance as part of the Something Singers was held in the sanctuary of the Los Angeles Church of the Nazarene in 1966. The Something Singers began touring throughout Southern California performing original musical plays written by Sonny Salsbury. The Narrow Ways provided instrumental backup for these plays and performed songs from contemporary 60's rock groups.
By the late 1960's, The Narrow Ways had dropped the "Narrow" and were known simply as "The Ways." Uchabori had left the group and childhood friend of John Friesen, Ron Moss, replaced him as bassist. The group was still touring with the Something Singers but was also performing their own shows at colleges, high schools and clubs throughout Los Angeles.
Ron Moss left the group and was replaced by the classically-trained, Mark Pasternak on bass. His addition, as well as Steve Kennedy as their keyboardist, expanded their musical versatility. With original material, they went into a recording studio with Dick Friesen and cut their first, and only,album.
Their musical paths were shaped first hand by The Doors, Three Dog Night, Bonnie and Delaney, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, Iron Butterfly, Canned Heat, The McCoys, Jimi Hendrix, Mamas and Papas, Black Oak Arkansas, Spirit, Love, Led Zeppelin.........Their album,The Ways, shows the vocal influences and instrumental impact of that generation's music. Although few of the albums can be found today, most of the music still holds up musically and lyrically.
By 1970, the group had changed their name to "Train" and was writing new material for a second album. The musical tastes and priorities of the individuals was beginning to show. Their new management was booking them with groups such as Three Dog Night and The Grass Roots. Basically, Train was losing steam. Before committing to another album, the group decided to go their separate ways. John Friesen spent the early part of the 70's touring with the Ice Follies. He rejoined Ron Moss, and with J.C. Crowley and Peter Beckett, signed with RSO records as the group Player. Wendell Wellman became an actor and playwright. Steve Kennedy returned to teaching. Mark continued his career as bassist. It's rumored that he eventually was part of the Cleveland Symphony. Ron Salsbury and Gary Shaffer briefly continued as Train with a new bassist and drummer. Ron left to pursue his career as a performing Christian artist. Gary briefly wrote and played with Moss and Friesen. He also recorded a solo album with Dick Friesen as producer.
Reference links. http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/artists/Sonny_Salsbury/10264/ http://one-way.org/jesusmusic/index.html http://movies.nytimes.com/person/75431/Wendell-Wellman/filmography http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn-enjcgV1o http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_bold_and_the_beautiful/bio/ronn_moss/bio.php
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