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 The Mourning Glory was formed in 1967 on the campus of Wittenberg University, from which all band members graduated in the '69-'70 period.. The bands stomping ground was, for the most part, the Springfield, Ohio area-fraternity/sorority parties, functions at the Student Union or gigs at local bars. However, they often took their music "on the road" to Ohio State, Miami and Capital University. "In retrospect, we did that far too often," jokes Bob Blankenburg. "When we were faced with either studying for a calculus test or cutting loose at a bar in Columbus filled with OSU coeds, the choice was clear."Proir to joining forces as the Mourning Glory, the guys played in various other bands on campus. Bruce and Bud came from "Sons of Bach", a hard rock/blues-style band, while the others came from "The Music Box" known more for close harmony sound, reminiscent of the Beatles, Byrds, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. John also belonged to Augmented Seven, a folk rock group. Bob and David first met in the Wittenberg chapel choir their freshman year. This diversity in musical background accounts for The Mourning Glory's eclectic mix of music. College days members of the Morning Glory also included Steve Hallock, Terry Merriman, and Rick Leaman. After graduation from Wittenberg, the group lost touch. Almost twenty years after graduation, Bob, Bud and Bruce got together in 1993 Cleveland to reminise. The results of that evening was "Let's get the band back together." In July 1993, the group gathered in Pennsylvania for a weekend of "making music". After setting up, they were not sure what to expect. They were all prepared for a musical weekend of jamming, and renewing friendships. After listening to the demo-tape made that weekend, they decided "they still had it". This tape came to the attention of the Wittenberg Alumni Office, which hired the group for the Class of 1970's 25th reunion in June of 1995. Since that time, the group has done several other Wittenberg reunions, homecomings---as well as bar gigs and fundraisers in the Ohio, and Connecticut. Currently, the guys get together to practice every few months at one of the members homes. They travel many miles just for a weekend of making music. |