Formed first in the service as the Fydallions and when they signed a record deal, the group changed their name to Spiral Starecase, according to benmclane.com.

Pat Upton from Alabama first sang gospel. At 19, he first started playing the electric guitar with Duane Eddy from the Ventures as his influence.

Upton spent four years in the Air Force and with saxist Dick Lopes formed a four-piece group, The Fydallions, for a talent show. Upton sang lead and played guitar. After they were out of the service, they went on tour.

The new Fydallions with Upton and Lopes were keyboardist Harvey Kaplan from New York, drummer Vinny Parello from Utah and bassist Bobby Raymond.

While they were in California, they met their manager who helped them sign a record deal in 1967. The label wanted the Fydallions to change their name. Lopes suggested Spiral Starecase after an old movie he remembered.

Spiral Starecase first record "Baby What I Mean" did not do well. The record company wanted the group to write their own music. Upton then brought up "More Today Than Yesterday" a song he wrote. It was suggested a third verse be added.

It reached No. 12 on the charts in 1969. They began to tour with Three Dog Night, Beach Boys and CCR. The singles after "More" did not do well. Spiral Starecase disband in 1971.

Upton did have a single but not much after that. Upton then joined Kaplan with Jay Graydon and Greg Mathieson as Spiral Staircase. Upton went on to sing back up for Rick Nelson and went on tour with him for a few years.

In 1983, Upton opened a night club and has gone on tour.

Kaplan plays night clubs with Spiral Staircase.

More From KRFO-AM