In 1973, when Florida-born Rick Roberts and his new Colorado based band needed a name, an image that had long stuck in his mind – a woodpile stacked at the edge of a high cliff in Yosemite National Park, then set ablaze and pushed off the cliff as nature lovers from all over watched in
Five Man Electrical Band is one of Canada’s best loved and hardest working rock and roll bands from the 60s and 70s. Originally formed in Ottawa, Ontario in 1964 as the Staccatos (Rick Belanger, Les Emmerson, Brian Rading & Vern Craig), the group first gained national recognition in 1967, when they recorded an album for
In the late 1960’s Roger Earl & Lonesome Dave Peverett first toured America as members of the seminal British band “Savoy Brown”. Together with guitarist Kim Simmonds, “Savoy Brown” was on the cutting edge of the emerging British blues-rock scene, and they influenced countless musicians on both sides of the “pond”. In 1971, wanting to
From college campuses to supper clubs, fairs to industrial shows, commercials to concert halls, Tokyo’s Latin Quarter to New York’s Copacabana, Glasgow’s Empress Theatre to Notre Dame, Las Vegas’ Sands Hotel to Honolulu Stadium, Okinawa’s Naha Theatre to Manilla’s Aranete Concert Hall… the Four Lads radio, television and live appearances reads like a veritable “who’s
35 girls and not one boy showed up to audition for the annual Hollywood High School talent show in the fall of 1955. The next day the school bulletin pleaded for “any guys out there who can do anything” and a show business story began that sounds a little like an MGM Musical. Unable to
No other popular quartet stayed together with original personnel intact for as long as the legendary Four Tops. And no other group associated with the American 60s sound has succeeded in remaining as fresh, joyful, lively, and timely. The Four Tops created a special magic that continues to delight audiences of all ages and nationalities,
On July 7,1979, an unknown French Canadian singer from Montreal – all of sweet 16 – stepped onto the boards of New York’s Fire Island before a screaming crowd of 5,000 to perform her very first single, “Come to Me”. She left the stage a star. “Come to Me” reached # 1 on Billboard’s dance chart, # 13 on its pop
Seldom has a performer been strongly considered for an Academy Award in both acting and music, yet Frank Stallone has managed to pull it off. His fiery portrayal of a brutish bartender in BARFLY had Hollywood insiders abuzz at Oscar time, and his #1 smash hit single, ‘Far From Over’ from Staying Alive was likewise touted for a “Best
In association with Harmony Artists. Born on September 18, 1940 as Francis Thomas Avallone, Frankie Avalon started out playing the trumpet. He was good enough to catch the eye of a local talent scout, who arranged for him to appear on Jackie Gleason’s CBS-TV show, which led to other appearances on national television. By the
Frankie Valli was born in the Italian First Ward of Newark, New Jersey as Francis Stephen Castelluccio on May 3, 1937, and went on to achieve worldwide fame both, as lead singer of The Four Seasons, one of the biggest music acts of the 1960s, and also as a solo artist. Frankie’s future course was
Born in Detroit, Michigan on September 19, 1942, Freda grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, which inspired her growing interest in music. While still in school, she began her musical career by singing radio commercial jingles in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Her polished voice caught the attention of music executives and
They are called “The Friends of Distinction” and for much of the last two decades, this talented four member, sophisticated jazz, R&B styled vocal group has distinguished itself in major entertainment arenas across the US. and Europe. The original Friends of Distinction was formed in 1968 by Floyd Butler and Harry Elston, both alumni of
After completing his studies at the Frei University in Berlin in 1966, Gary Wright actively began pursuing music. Already fluent in German, he spent the next year touring throughout Germany doing live performances and beginning his career as a songwriter. Gary met Island Records founder Chris Blackwell the following year and moved to London where
For those who weren’t there, it’s hard to imagine the impact of the arrival of Disco. For a decade, it made New York City the center of the universe, the decadent, dazzling and glamorous palace of all the night life in the world. Disco created a whole new heaven of stars, and the biggest of
The Grass Roots Are: DUSTY HANVEY: (Lead Guitar , Vocals)- For more than 27 years this Cherry Valley, California native has been an integral part of one of the most iconic bands of it’s time. Along with his skills as a lead guitarist and vocalist, Dusty also takes on the title of The Grass Roots’ Road
It all began in West Germany when 5 young men stationed in the U.S. Army came together after work, went to the social clubs to play pool and sing a little harmony. This group was known as The Cashmeres. They joined with 3 young female vocalists and called themselves “The Cashmeres and The Black Pearls,”
The Los Angeles music climate of the late 1960s and 1970s was characterized by the heavy sounds and sentiments that reflected the revolutionary attitudes of the generation. Bursting onto that scene was Iron Butterfly, whose sound not only epitomized the hard attitudes of the youth with its heavy drumming and bass lines, but also embraced
With its signature horn riff and one of the most famous opening lines in rock’n’roll, “I’m the friendly stranger in the black sedan, won’t you hop inside my car”, the Ides of March’s “Vehicle” has earned it’s place in rock history, but the story behind The Ides of March has a resonance that few bands can
JT’s vocal talents were discovered at the age of 7 while singing in his church choir and praise for his voice quickly spread throughout his neighborhood. At 13, JT formed his first band and gained tri-state recognition with an appearance at the world famous Apollo Theater. JT and his band also began to receive attention
Joan Jett is an originator, an innovator, and a visionary. As the leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, she’s had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” and “Crimson and Clover.” She sits at the head of
Joey Molland is a survivor and, when he looks back on how what started out as a rock and roll fantasy and then turned into a bona fide nightmare, he tries to remain upbeat. He concedes that the story was tragic but prefers to focus on the good times: “I had a great time. I
Pop Grammy nominated John Ford Coley, part of the 70s/80s duo “England Dan and John Ford Coley”, maintains a viable role in today’s music as an exciting performing artist, musician and actor. A classically trained pianist and excellent guitar player, combined with five generations of Texas heritage, John sings and performs mainstream, country and folk
In the chaotic world of rock ‘n’ roll, in which the lifespan of most bands can be measured in terms of a few years or a few months, John Kay and Steppenwolf have emerged as one of rock’s most enduring and respected bands, delivering hard-hitting, personally-charged music for more than three decades. In the late
One thing John Waite has come to understand during his illustrious career in music, is that you live and learn best the hard way. Accept that there can be no highs without lows, no gain without loss, and certainly no love without pain. Take nothing for granted, maintain your integrity. Then, at least, you give
In 1964, when the British Invasion was in progress and American rockers were tough to find on the U.S. pop charts, Johnny Rivers was one of the first to regain a foothold. His first Top 10 record came right in the midst of Beatlemania. Over the next four years his funky, go-go rock gave him
