Rock band started by a group of friends from the Gardenville area. There were several earlier bands featuring musicians from the neighborhood. One of the bands that most of the members were involved in prior to Crown of Creation was called Lid. Lid played some of the local teen centers and pool parties. In 1968 the Crown of Creation was formed featuring Jim Franz (lead guitar, bass, vocals), Bob Hoffman (lead vocals), Wayne Hart (bass), John Bianconi (keyboards, vocals ex-Clyde), Earl Spivey (lead & rhythm guitar, vocals), Sal Kunz (drums, vocals). The band had several bass guitarists over the years. When Hart left the band Franz moved to bass guitar and Spivey became the lead guitarist.
Franz added direction as leader of the group. With his large collection of albums, he also kept the band on the cutting edge of the music scene. The band played covers of Cream, Traffic, Doors, Beatles, etc., but were mostly a jam band. With a growing reputation as a jam band, they began to have fewer practice sessions. The band would show up for gigs and jam, thus the moniker “The band that is not a band” that was written up in the Young World section of the Baltimore News American.
Eventually Hoffman decided to leave and the group placed an ad for a new singer. To their surprise the ad was answered by former Rysing Sun singer Dave Collins who had recently returned from serving military duty.
Next a flute and sax player named Jon Schmidt was added. The band became known for performing Jethro Tull album cuts. With the addition of Schmidt, he added a new dimension to the COC. For some of the Blodwyn Pig songs Jon would play two saxes at once!
Franz eventually left the band and Spivey moved to bass. A 16-year-old guitar phenom named Michael Gallaher was introduced to the band by guitarist Rob Fahey and soon joined the group.
With the new sound it was decided that it was time for a name change. This line-up would later become known as Jabez Stone.
Gallaher later joined A New Day, and Trilogy, before moving on to become known nationally as a highly respected studio and touring musician.
