Aorta (band)

Last updated
Aorta
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres Psychedelic rock
Years active1967–1970
Labels Atlantic, Columbia, Happy Tiger
Past membersJim Donlinger
Jim Nyeholt
Billy Herman
Bobby Jones
Dan Hoagland
Tom Donlinger
Michael Been

Aorta were an American psychedelic rock band from Chicago who recorded two albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Contents

History

The band developed from a soul, pop and rock'n'roll group who had originally formed in Rockford, Illinois in 1962 as Kal David and the Exceptions. Its members were Kal David (b. David Raskin - vocals and guitar), Peter Cetera (bass, vocals), Denny Ebert (drums, vocals), and Marty Grebb (saxophone, keyboards, guitar, vocals). David left in 1965, to join The Rovin' Kind, later to become Illinois Speed Press, and was replaced by James Vincent (b. James Vincent Dondelinger, 8 February 1943, in Chicago; later known as Jim Donlinger). [1] The band was then known as The Exceptions. They released several singles on local labels, and an EP, Rock and Roll Mass, on the Flair label, before Grebb left to join The Buckinghams, being replaced by Jim Nyeholt. Ebert also left to be replaced by Billy Herman. As The Exceptions, Vincent (Donlinger), Cetera, Nyeholt and Herman recorded several singles for Capitol Records, but Cetera left when the other members expressed a desire to perform more psychedelic material. Cetera joined The Big Thing, who became Chicago Transit Authority and then Chicago. [2] [3]

After recruiting Bobby Jones as the new bass player, the group changed their name to Aorta in 1967, for a short period also adding Dan Hoagland (born Daniel Hoogland) on tenor sax. With Jim Donlinger on lead vocals, the band recorded a single, "The Shape Of Things To Come", a song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and included on the soundtrack to the movie Wild in the Streets by the fictional group Max Frost and the Troopers. Aorta signed to Dunwich Productions, a company formed by Bill Traut, and the single was leased for release on Atlantic Records. [2] Under Traut's management, the band were then signed to Columbia Records to record an album. Their first LP was produced by Traut and Donlinger. Entitled Aorta, it was issued in early 1969, as part of a drive by Columbia to promote "the Chicago sound" - the company simultaneously released albums by Chicago, Illinois Speed Press, and The Flock - and reached No. 167 on the Billboard album chart. [3] The album has been described as a "startling record which was a mix of psychedelia, soul, jazz, folk, and rock... housed in a beautiful, graphic sleeve that has always overshadowed the great music from within.... Aorta is solid throughout, featuring strong musicianship, inventive studio wizardry, superb songs with a healthy dose of fuzz guitar and wonderful string and horn arrangements." [4] In a contrary review, Robert Christgau called it "Badly sung…, full of pretentious production effects [with] silly lyrics" [5] and gave it an "E−" rating, denoting an "organically conceived masterpiece that repays repeated listening with a sense of horror in the face of the void…unlikely to be marred by one listenable cut." [6] Neither the album nor the single "Strange" (a track written by Hoagland before he left the band) [1] c/w "Ode to Missy Mxyzosptlk" achieved significant sales. [7] The group toured in support of bands such as Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and The Mothers of Invention, and were given a major showcase opportunity to impress music industry leaders at the Fillmore East in New York City. However, according to Donlinger, the band were offered LSD by another musician before the show, resulting in them giving what was described as a "train wreck" of a performance. [1]

Jones and Herman then left, and Donlinger and Nyeholt, together with Donlinger's drummer brother Tom, temporarily joined the Rotary Connection. [3] However, they then decided to reform Aorta, with the Donlinger brothers and Nyeholt adding Michael Been on bass, guitar and vocals. The band recorded a second album, Aorta 2, in a radically different style, leaning more towards country rock with Christian overtones. They finally split up shortly after its release on the Happy Tiger label in early 1970. Jim Donlinger and Michael Been, together with former Exceptions member Marty Grebb, then joined the band Lovecraft (previously H. P. Lovecraft). Been later formed The Call. [2]

The original Aorta later re-formed to do promotional spots for the U.S. Armed Forces. [3] Their first album, Aorta, was reissued on CD in 1996. [7]

Discography

Singles

[8]

Albums

[1] [9]

Related Research Articles

Chicago is an American rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1967. The group began calling themselves the Chicago Transit Authority in 1968, then shortened the name in 1969. Self-described as a "rock and roll band with horns", Chicago's songs often combine elements of classical music, jazz, R&B, and pop music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Miller Band</span> American rock band

The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1966 in San Francisco, California. The band is led by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals. The group had a string of mid- to late-1970s hit singles that are staples of classic rock, as well as several earlier psychedelic rock albums. Miller left his first band to move to San Francisco and form the Steve Miller Blues Band. Shortly after Harvey Kornspan negotiated the band's contract with Capitol Records in 1967, the band shortened its name to the Steve Miller Band. In February 1968, the band recorded its debut album, Children of the Future. It went on to produce the albums Sailor, Brave New World, Your Saving Grace, Number 5, Rock Love, Fly Like an Eagle, Book of Dreams, among others. The band's Greatest Hits 1974–78, released in 1978, sold over 13 million copies. In 2016, Steve Miller was inducted as a solo artist in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Dunwich Records was an independent American record label started by Bill Traut, Eddie Higgins and George Badonsky in Chicago in 1965. Dunwich was also a production company which licensed recordings to other labels, including Atlantic, Atco, Columbia, Mercury and SGC. The label was primarily known for the release of singles from the emerging Chicago rock scene in the 1960s. Only two artists, the Shadows of Knight and Amanda Ambrose, released albums on the label.

<i>Chicago</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Chicago

Chicago is the second studio album by Chicago-based American rock band Chicago. Like their debut album, Chicago Transit Authority, this was a double album. It was their first album under the name Chicago and the first to use the now ubiquitous cursive Chicago logo on the cover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Cetera</span> American singer, songwriter, and bassist

Peter Paul Cetera is a retired American musician best known for being a lead vocalist and the bassist of the rock band Chicago from 1967 until his departure in 1985, before launching a successful solo career. His career as a recording artist encompasses 17 albums with Chicago and eight solo albums.

<i>Chicago at Carnegie Hall</i> 1971 live album by Chicago

Chicago at Carnegie Hall is the first live album, and fourth album overall, by American band Chicago. It was initially released on October 25, 1971 by Columbia Records as a four-LP vinyl box set, and was also available for a time as two separate two-record sets. A Quadraphonic mix of the album was proposed, but was never made, possibly due to the band's objection to the album being released in the first place. This is the only Chicago album of the group's first ten releases not to have a Quadraphonic release in any format.

<i>Chicago VI</i> 1973 studio album by Chicago

Chicago VI is the fifth studio album by American rock band Chicago and was released on June 25, 1973. It was the band's second in a string of five consecutive albums to make it to No. 1 in the US, was certified gold less than a month after its release, and has been certified two-times platinum since. It is the first album to feature percussionist Laudir de Oliveira, who would become a full-fledged member of the band for Chicago VIII. VI is the first studio album to feature the original band members on the cover before the death of leader and co-founder Terry Kath.

<i>Greatest Hits, Volume II</i> (Chicago album) 1981 compilation album by Chicago

Greatest Hits, Volume II is the second greatest hits album by the American rock band Chicago, and its fifteenth album overall, released in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Buckinghams</span> American sunshine pop band formed in 1966

The Buckinghams are an American sunshine pop band from Chicago. They formed in 1966 and went on to become one of the top-selling acts of 1967, charting their only five top 40 hits in the U.S. that year. The band dissolved in 1970, but re-formed in 1980 and as of 2022 they continue to tour throughout the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kal David</span> American musician (1943–2022)

David Raskin, who performed as Kal David, was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, whose 50-year musical career in Illinois, New York, and California extended through various phases, including a highly regarded stint with Columbia Records in the early 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">H. P. Lovecraft (band)</span> American psychedelic rock band

H. P. Lovecraft was an American psychedelic rock band, formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1967 and named after the horror writer H. P. Lovecraft. Much of the band's music was possessed of a haunting, eerie ambience, and consisted of material that was inspired by the macabre writings of the author whose name they had adopted. Combining elements of psychedelia and folk rock, the band's sound was marked by the striking vocal harmonies of ex-folk singer George Edwards and the classically trained Dave Michaels. In addition, Michaels' multi-instrumentalist abilities on organ, piano, harpsichord, clarinet and recorder provided the band with a richer sonic palette than many of their contemporaries.

The Del-Vetts were an American garage rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1963. They released five singles and obtained regional success in the Midwest.

<i>Thunderbyrd</i> Album by Roger McGuinn

Thunderbyrd is American singer-songwriter and guitarist Roger McGuinn's 5th solo studio album, released in 1977 on the Columbia Records label. Following the success of his 1976 album Cardiff Rose, McGuinn intended to make another album in collaboration with its producer Mick Ronson. This project however never materialized. Instead he put together a new band, Thunderbyrd, and recorded this album with them.

<i>Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls</i> 1969 studio album by Coven

Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls is the debut studio album by the American rock band Coven. Released in 1969, it was unusual in that it dealt with overtly occult and satanic themes. It was removed from the market soon after its release due to controversy, as it coincided with the hysteria surrounding the Manson family and rampant media speculation about occult influences on the American counterculture. The album's lyrical themes and visual design were influential on the occult rock and heavy metal genres.

<i>H. P. Lovecraft</i> (album) 1967 studio album by H. P. Lovecraft

H. P. Lovecraft is the debut album by the American psychedelic rock band H. P. Lovecraft. It was released in October 1967 by Philips Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Been</span> Musical artist

Michael Kenneth Been was an American rock musician who achieved critical attention and rotation play on MTV in the 1980s with his band The Call. He later released an album of his solo work and toured with his son's band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. His song "Let the Day Begin" was the official campaign song of Al Gore's 2000 U.S. presidential campaign. His song "Oklahoma" was one of the top ten choices for Oklahoma's official state rock song and a line from the song provided the name for Another Hot Oklahoma Night: A Rock & Roll Exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois Speed Press</span> American rock band

Illinois Speed Press was an American rock band formed – originally, in 1965, as The Rovin' Kind – in Chicago, later relocating to California. The band was formed by Paul Cotton – later of Poco – and Kal David. According to Allmusic, their sound "combined elements of R&B and country music in a powerful double-lead-guitar attack." Cotton and David reunited in 2009 to perform together under the name. Cotton died in July 2021. David died in August 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marty Grebb</span> American musician (1945–2020)

Martin Joseph Grebb was an American keyboardist, guitarist, and saxophonist. A member of The Buckinghams in the late 1960s, Grebb was also a record producer and an arranger, who worked with musicians including Peter Cetera, Bill Payne, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Etta James, and Leon Russell.

William Raymond Traut was an American jazz musician, rock music producer, manager and record label executive. He co-founded the Dunwich and Wooden Nickel record labels, and produced The Shadows of Knight, The American Breed, the Siegel-Schwall Band, and Styx, among others.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 J. Vincent, R. J. Macoy (2003). Space Traveler: A Musician's Odyssey. iUniverse. ISBN   9780595282951 . Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  2. 1 2 3 "Exceptions to the rules: The pre-Chicago bands". Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Aorta Biography". Allmusic . Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  4. ↑ "Aorta". The Rising Storm. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  5. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: Aorta".
  6. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG 70s: The Grades".
  7. 1 2 "Aorta album review by Bryan Thomas". Allmusic . Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  8. ↑ "Aorta". Psychlists. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  9. ↑ "Aorta". Discogs . Retrieved 2010-08-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.