The Poppy Family Members, Gear & Sound

The Poppy Family was a Canadian pop and psychedelic pop group formed in Vancouver, British Columbia in the late 1960s. The band centered on Susan Jacks (lead vocals) and Terry Jacks (vocals, guitar, songwriter, producer), with studio contributions from additional musicians that helped flesh out their orchestrated, radio-friendly arrangements. Best known for late-’60s and early-’70s hits like “Which Way You Goin’ Billy?”, the group blended sunshine pop melodies, soft rock polish, and baroque-pop touches into a sound that stood apart from heavier rock acts of the era.

To get close to The Poppy Family’s sound, think clean, melodic, and carefully arranged rather than raw or aggressive. The guitars tend to sit in the mix with a bright, controlled attack, leaving room for prominent vocal melodies, lush backing harmonies, and orchestral colors. A guitar like Terry Jacks’ Fender Esquire fits that approach well: articulate, crisp, and direct, especially into a clean tube amp with only light reverb. The overall feel is soft-edged and emotionally clear, with rhythm sections played tightly and unobtrusively so the song’s melancholy, pop-forward atmosphere stays front and center.