The Association

The Association were an American vocal harmony group formed in Los Angeles in 1965, one of the defining acts of the mid-1960s sunshine pop movement. Built around tight multi-part vocal arrangements layered over lush, folk-rock-tinged studio production, the group became a hallmark of the emerging West Coast pop sound, favoring melodic songcraft and close harmony over raw rock energy.

Their commercial breakthrough came with «Along Comes Mary» and the number-one hit «Cherish» in 1966, followed by «Never My Love» and the chart-topping «Windy» in 1967 — songs that remain staples of oldies radio and showcase the group's gift for hooks and vocal blend. The band also holds a notable place in rock history as the opening act of the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, one of the era's defining cultural moments.

Beyond their singles, tracks such as «The Nest» and «Silver Morning» reveal a more adventurous, orchestrated side of the group, reflecting the period's growing appetite for studio experimentation. Despite lineup changes over the decades, The Association's catalog endures as a cornerstone of sunshine pop, shaping generations of harmony-driven pop songwriting that followed.