| Alias: | Jan Ashton, Janet Errico |
| Instrument: | Drums |
| Years Active: | 1960s – ? |
| Past Member Of: | The Vejtables, The Mojo Men |
Jan Errico is a drummer and singer who was a member of two San Francisco rock groups in the 1960s, The Vejtables and The Mojo Men.
Errico is the daughter of Vincent Errico who, himself was an accomplished drummer.[1] [2] She is the cousin of Greg Errico, the original drummer for Sly and the Family Stone.[3] It has been written that she changed her name from Errico to Ashton to sound more British.[4]
Female drummers in rock bands in that era were rather rare.[5]
In 1962 or 1963, when she was around age 12, she recorded the single "It Was A Lie" (bw "Come Along With Me") for the Shelby Records label. The backing group was credited as The Twilights, who were really Joe Piazza and the Continentals.[6]
By 1964, she was a member of The Vejtables, both singing backup and playing drums.[7] While with the Vejtables she contributed to a good part of their written material including their minor hit, "I Still Love You", which she sang lead on.[8] [9] By November 13, 1965 the song had spent four weeks in the charts, eventually reaching no 84.[10] She also sang lead on the group's take of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind".[11]
It appears that at some stage in 1966, there may have been a brief change of direction for her in attempting a solo career. A single "Cold Dreary Morning"/"Smile, Smile, Smile" was recorded but Autumn Records never released it.[12]
Errico joined the Mojo Men around spring 1966,[13] replacing the band's drummer Dennis DeCarr.[14] In 1967, she and the band recorded 20 songs in one day at Coast Recorders.[15]
The last single released by the group then known as The Mojo was "Everyday Love" bw There Goes My Mind in 1970.[16]
| Title | Credited artist | Release | Label | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "It Was A Lie" | Janet Errico | "It Was A Lie" / "Come Along With Me" | Shelby Records (C-45-2C) | (c) 1962/1963 | [17] |
| "Smile, Smile, Smile" | The Vejtables | Feel... The Vejtables | Sundazed Music SC 11031 | 1995 | |
| "Cold Dreary Morning" | The Vejtables | Feel... The Vejtables | Sundazed Music SC 11031 | 1995 | [18] |