|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZYOUNGBLOODS, TheUS folk-rock group formed in Boston '65 by Jesse Colin Young (b Perry Miller, 11 Nov. '44, NYC), vocals, guitar, bass; and Jerry Corbitt (b Tifton GA). Young was discovered, renamed and produced by Bobby Scott, made solo LPs Soul Of A City Boy '64 and Young Blood '65 on Capitol; duo took name from latter, recruited Joe Bauer (b 26 Sep. '41, Memphis) on drums and multi-instrumentalist Lowell 'Banana' Levinger (b '46, Cambridge MA). Eclectic music was infl. by bluegrass, harmony singing and British Invasion, not unlike that of Lovin' Spoonful. Group worked as house band at Cafe A Go Go NYC '66; first sessions released '70 as Two Trips but debut LP was The Youngbloods '67: single 'Get Together' (written by Dino Valenti) was no. 62 on first release, became anthem of flower-power era, made no. 5 on reissue after exposure in TV advert. Co-vocalist Corbitt went solo after Earth Music '67; Elephant Mountain '69 was made on West Coast as a trio, Banana's piano/guitar work becoming a distinctive feature along with Young's mellifluous vocals. Rock Festival '70 and Ride The Wind '71 were made for their own Raccoon label; they added bassist Michael Kane for Good And Dusty '71, High On A Ridgetop '72; split '73. Bauer and Banana cut LPs, linked with Kane in Noggin (Crab Tunes '72); Young had solo career with Together '72 on Raccoon, series of hit LPs on WB: Song For Juli, Light Shine, Songbird, live On The Road, Love On The Wing '73--7 averaged no. 30 in LP chart; American Dreams '78 on Elektra marked chart decline as the singer-songwriter era was ending; Swept Away appeared later on a Ridgetop label. |