Stoneground

Last updated
Stoneground
Stoneground.jpg
Stoneground in 1971
Background information
Origin Concord, California, U.S.
Genres Blues-rock, album-oriented rock
Years active1970–1984, 2003–2005
Labels Warner Bros.
Past members
  • Sal Valentino
  • Tim Barnes
  • Dave McCullough
  • Luther Bildt
  • Mike Mau
  • John Blakeley
  • Lynne Hughes
  • Annie Sampson
  • Lydia Moreno
  • Deirdre LaPorte
  • Pete Sears
  • Cory Lerios
  • Steve Price
  • Brian Godula
  • David Jenkins
  • Jo Baker
  • Fred Webb
  • Terry Davis
  • Sammy Piazza
  • Lenny Lee Goldsmith
  • Dana Moret
  • Claudia Knauer
  • Greg King
  • Charlie McGimsey
  • Kelly Stephens
  • Terence Clements
  • Joe Gazzaroli
  • Stephan Bryan Salit
Website Official website
Tim Barnes, original Stoneground lead guitarist Tim Barnes with Craig's Gold Top, one of the best blues guitarists ever.jpg
Tim Barnes, original Stoneground lead guitarist

Stoneground was an American rock band formed in 1970 in Concord, California. Originally a trio, Stoneground expanded to a 10-piece band by the time of their eponymous 1971 debut album. The group appeared in two films, Medicine Ball Caravan (1971) and Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), and released three albums before singer Sal Valentino quit in 1973. Three other band members—Cory Lerios, Steve Price and David Jenkins—left to form pop group Pablo Cruise. Stoneground continued as an act through 1982, with only Tim Barnes and Annie Sampson remaining from the early incarnation of the band. Barnes and Price led a re-formed Stoneground in 2003 and released a studio album the following year.

Contents

History

Craig Randall, first bassist Craig Randall Stoneground bassist in 1968.jpg
Craig Randall, first bassist

Stoneground was formed in 1970 in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb of Concord, California. The original lineup consisted of Tim Barnes (guitars, vocals), Craig Randall (Bass), and Mike Mau (drums). [1] Band manager and former Autumn Records executive Tom Donahue introduced the band to ex-Beau Brummels singer Sal Valentino and John Blakely (guitars, bass), both of whom joined Stoneground. [1] Four female vocalists—Annie Sampson, Lynne Hughes, Lydia Phillips, and Deirdre LaPorte—were also added to the group. [1] While touring America [2] and Europe, the band added another new member, Kit Thomas on bass who left after recording with the band in England and was replaced by bassist/keyboardist Pete Sears, later of Jefferson Starship and Hot Tuna. [1] Stoneground's self-titled debut album, released in early 1971, featured seven different lead singers on the album's ten tracks. [3] The album was produced by Tom Donahue with Sal Valentino assisting on some tracks. [4] Music journalist Robert Christgau said the album was "certainly the aptest use of Sal Valentino since the Beau Brummels were on Autumn". [5] A Billboard review remarked that "Stoneground has a lot of advance publicity to live up to, and in light of their first LP the predictions may have been somewhat inflationary, though there's no denying the potential for excitement here". [3]

During this touring period, Stoneground was a "traveling house band" for Medicine Ball Caravan, [1] an attempt by Warner Bros. to promote the band [6] and capitalize on the success of the concert film genre following Woodstock . [7] [8] The Medicine Ball Caravan film, which documented the 8,000 mile cross-country trip by 154 people [9] in a "hippie caravan" [7] [10] of buses, trucks and musical groups, was directed by François Reichenbach—with Martin Scorsese as associate producer—and released in 1971. [8] Three Stoneground songs appear on the original soundtrack, which also contains songs by Alice Cooper, B.B. King, Delaney & Bonnie, Doug Kershaw, and The Youngbloods. [9]

Pete Sears left the band and returned to England to record on Rod Stewart's classic "Every Picture Tells a Story" album, later returning to the US with Long John Baldry. Cory Lerios (keyboards, vocals) and Steve Price (drums) joined the band prior to the recording of Stoneground's second album, the double-LP Family Album , released in 1971. Billboard described the music as "infectiously exciting and ... colored by a wonderfully lighthearted feeling", and praised Lynne Hughes' vocals on "Passion Flower", [11] the closest Stoneground ever came to having to a hit single. [12] The song was also included on Fillmore: The Last Days , a 1972 triple live album chronicling the final run of concerts organized by rock concert promoter Bill Graham at San Francisco's Fillmore West, which closed on July 4, 1971. [13] In 1972, the band released their third album, Stoneground 3 . They also appeared in that year's Hammer Studios film Dracula A.D. 1972 starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. [14]

By 1973, the band was dropped by Warner Bros. due to disappointing record sales, and tensions within the group had risen after three years of constant touring. [12] Stoneground's original formation played their final concert on January 6 at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. [12] The performance was released as an album, The Last Dance: Live January 6, 1973, by Dig Music in 2001. [12] Within weeks of the concert, Sal Valentino left the group [15] and moved on to a short-lived Beau Brummels reunion. [12] Three other members—Lerios, Price, and David Jenkins—left to form the pop group Pablo Cruise. [16] [17] Barnes led various rosters of Stoneground for another ten years, [12] along with original member Annie Sampson and singer Jo Baker, who joined in 1974. [18] Other members included Terry Davis (guitars, vocals), Fred Webb (keyboards, vocals) and Sammy Piazza (drums). [19] The band released three more albums during this period: Flat Out (1976), Hearts of Stone (1978), and Play it Loud (1980). [20] In 1982, Stoneground released "Bad Machines and Limousines", an E.P. with early band member Pete Sears appearing as a guest on keyboards. In 2004, a re-formed Stoneground—featuring Barnes and Price—released the album Back with a Vengeance. [21]

Discography

Albums

YearAlbum details
1971 Stoneground
1971 Family Album
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
1972 Stoneground 3
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
1976Flat Out
  • Label: Flat Out Records
1978 Hearts of Stone
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
1980Play It Loud
  • Label: Crystal Clear Records
2001The Last Dance: Live January 6, 1973
  • Label: Dig Music
  • Release date: October 9, 2001
2004Back with a Vengeance
  • Label: Exploding Star Music
  • Release date: April 14, 2004

EP

YearAlbum details
1982Bad Machines and Limousines
  • Label: Line Records

Singles

YearSong
1971"Queen Sweet Dreams"
  • B-side: "Total Destruction"
  • Label: Warner Bros. (#7452)
1971"Looking For You"
  • B-side: "Added Attraction (Come And See Me)"
  • Label: Warner Bros. (#7496)
1971"You Must Be One Of Us"
  • B-side: "Corrina, Corrina"
  • Label: Warner Bros. (#7535)
1972"Passion Flower"
  • B-side: "Super Clown"
  • Label: Warner Bros. (#7546)
1978"Prove It"
  • B-side: "Prove It" (mono)
  • Label: Warner Bros. (#8676)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beau Brummels</span> American rock band

The Beau Brummels were an American rock band. Formed in San Francisco in 1964, the band's original lineup included Sal Valentino, Ron Elliott, Ron Meagher, Declan Mulligan, and John Petersen (drums). They were discovered by local disc jockeys who were looking to sign acts to their new label, Autumn Records, where Sylvester Stewart—later known as Sly Stone—produced the group's early recording sessions. Initially, the band's musical style blended beat music and folk music and typically drew comparisons to the Beatles, while their later work incorporated other music genres such as psychedelic rock and country rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laugh, Laugh</span> 1964 single by the Beau Brummels

"Laugh, Laugh" is a song by American rock group the Beau Brummels, written by guitarist Ron Elliott and produced by Sylvester Stewart, later known as Sly Stone. Released in December 1964 as the band's debut single, the song reached number 15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart the following February. "Laugh, Laugh" was the first hit single to come out of the emerging San Francisco music scene in response to the British Invasion. The song was later included on the band's first full-length album, Introducing the Beau Brummels, released in April 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sal Valentino</span> American singer and songwriter

Sal Valentino is an American rock musician, singer and songwriter, best known as lead singer of The Beau Brummels, subsequently becoming a songwriter as well. The band released a pair of top 20 U.S. hit singles in 1965, "Laugh, Laugh" and "Just a Little". He later fronted another band, Stoneground, which produced three albums in the early 1970s. After reuniting on numerous occasions with the Beau Brummels, Valentino began a solo career, releasing his latest album, Every Now and Then, in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Tell Me Why</span> 1965 single by The Beau Brummels

"You Tell Me Why" is a song by American rock group The Beau Brummels, from the band's second album, The Beau Brummels, Volume 2. The song was written by guitarist Ron Elliott and produced by Sylvester Stewart, later known as Sly Stone. "You Tell Me Why" was released as the album's lead single, and peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1965. The band revisited the song and included it on their 1975 eponymous album. The original version later appeared on the band's 1987 compilation album The Best of The Beau Brummels 1964–1968.

<i>Triangle</i> (The Beau Brummels album) 1967 studio album by the Beau Brummels

Triangle is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Beau Brummels. Produced by Lenny Waronker and released in July 1967, it was the band's first album to include songs that vocalist Sal Valentino and guitarist Ron Elliott composed together. The band incorporated fantasy elements and surreal characters into the album's song titles and lyrics, and worked with a variety of session musicians to create Triangle's psychedelic musical style. The Beau Brummels were reduced to a trio—Valentino, Elliott, and Ron Meagher—at the time Triangle was recorded, as former group members Don Irving (guitars) and John Petersen (drums) left the band following the release of the group's previous album, Beau Brummels '66.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just a Little (The Beau Brummels song)</span> 1965 single by the Beau Brummels

"Just a Little" is a song by the American rock group the Beau Brummels. The song is included on the band's debut album, Introducing the Beau Brummels, and was released as its second single, following "Laugh, Laugh". "Just a Little" became the band's best hit parade U.S. single, which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1965. It also reached no lower than position #10 of the hit parades in Canada and Australia.

<i>Bradleys Barn</i> (album) 1968 studio album by the Beau Brummels

Bradley's Barn is the fifth studio album by the American rock group the Beau Brummels. Released in October 1968, it contains the singles "Long Walking Down to Misery" and "Cherokee Girl." The album has received critical acclaim as an early example of country rock. The album was named after the recording studio owned by Owen Bradley where the album was recorded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beau Brummels discography</span>

The Beau Brummels were an American rock band that formed in 1964 and originally consisted of singer Sal Valentino, lead guitarist Ron Elliott, bassist Ron Meagher, rhythm guitarist Declan Mulligan and drummer John Petersen. Local radio disc jockeys Tom Donahue and Bobby Mitchell discovered the band at a club near San Francisco. They signed the Beau Brummels to their fledgling Autumn Records label, and their house producer, Sylvester Stewart, later known as Sly Stone, recorded the band's early sessions.

<i>The Beau Brummels, Volume 2</i> 1965 studio album by the Beau Brummels

The Beau Brummels, Volume 2 is the second studio album by the American rock group the Beau Brummels. Released in August 1965, the album contains the U.S. top 40 hit "You Tell Me Why" and follow-up single "Don't Talk to Strangers."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Elliott (musician)</span> American guitarist, composer and producer

Ronald Charles Elliott is an American musician, composer and record producer, best known as songwriter and lead guitarist of the rock band The Beau Brummels. Elliott wrote or co-wrote the band's 1965 U.S. top 20 hits "Laugh, Laugh" and "Just a Little". In addition to reuniting with the Beau Brummels on occasion over the years, Elliott released a solo album in 1970, and has played on and produced albums by a number of other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here We Are Again</span> 1966 single by The Beau Brummels

"Here We Are Again" is a song by American rock group The Beau Brummels. It was released in 1966 as the band's second single on Warner Bros. Records, following their cover of Bob Dylan's "One Too Many Mornings," released earlier that year. "Here We Are Again" was the first Beau Brummels' A-side written by lead vocalist Sal Valentino.

"Magic Hollow" is a song by American rock group The Beau Brummels, from the band's fourth album, 1967's Triangle. The song, written by guitarist Ron Elliott and lead singer Sal Valentino, was released as the album's first single. The song appeared on the band's 1987 compilation album The Best of the Beau Brummels 1964-1968, and "Magic Hollow" also served as the title of the band's 2005 four-disc box set.

<i>The Beau Brummels</i> (album) 1975 studio album by The Beau Brummels

The Beau Brummels is the sixth studio album by the American rock band of the same name. Released in April 1975, the album features the work of all five original band members for the first time since the band's debut album, 1965's Introducing the Beau Brummels. The album peaked at number 180 on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Declan Mulligan</span> American guitarist (1938–2021)

John Declan Mulligan was an Irish-born American musician, best known as a guitarist of rock band The Beau Brummels in the 1960s.

<i>Live!</i> (The Beau Brummels album) 2000 live album by The Beau Brummels

Live! is a live album by American rock group The Beau Brummels. The album, released in August 2000 by Dig Music, was recorded in February 1974 near Sacramento, California, shortly after it was announced that the band had reunited. The album includes a mix of performances of their most commercially singles, including "Laugh, Laugh" and "Just a Little," as well as then-new material, some of which would be recorded for the band's 1975 eponymous studio album.

<i>Stoneground</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Stoneground

Stoneground is the debut studio album by American rock band Stoneground, released in 1971 on Warner Bros. The album featured seven different lead vocalists, including Sal Valentino on four of the album's ten songs.

<i>Family Album</i> (Stoneground album) 1971 studio album by Stoneground

Family Album is the second album by American rock band Stoneground, a double album released in late 1971 on Warner Bros, consisting of live and studio recordings of original songs and covers.

<i>Stoneground 3</i> 1972 studio album by Stoneground

Stoneground 3, sometimes stylized as Stoneground Three, is the third album by American rock band Stoneground, released in 1972 on Warner Bros. It was the final studio album to feature the band's original lineup, as eight of the ten members quit shortly after the album's release.

<i>The Candlestickmaker</i> 1970 studio album by Ron Elliott

The Candlestickmaker is the lone solo album by American musician Ron Elliott, released in 1970 on Warner Bros. It was recorded following the dissolution of The Beau Brummels, with whom Elliott had been the chief songwriter and guitarist. A two-part, fifteen-minute piece titled "The Candlestickmaker Suite" comprises the entire second side of the album.

<i>Hearts of Stone</i> (Stoneground album) 1978 studio album by Stoneground

Hearts of Stone is the fifth studio album by American rock band Stoneground, released in 1978 on Warner Bros. Produced by Bob Gaudio, it marked Stoneground's return to a major label, having released their previous album, Flat Out (1976), on their own label. "Prove It" was released as the first single from Hearts of Stone.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Planer, Lindsay. "Stoneground - Review". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  2. ↑ Sippel, John (1971-07-03). "Weintraub's 'Ball' to Roll at L.A. Theater; Rock Artists' Odyssey". Billboard . 83 (27). Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 82. ISSN   0006-2510.
  3. 1 2 "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard . 83 (17). Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 58 1971-04-21. ISSN   0006-2510.
  4. ↑ March, Jeff; Childs, Marti (1999). Echoes of the Sixties. New York: Billboard Books (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.). p. 157. ISBN   978-0-8230-8316-9.
  5. ↑ Christgau, Robert (1990). Rock Albums Of The 70s: A Critical Guide. New York: Da Capo Press. p. 376. ISBN   978-0-306-80409-0.
  6. ↑ Larkin, Colin (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Stage and Film Musicals. London: Virgin Books. p.  410. ISBN   978-0-7535-0375-1.
  7. 1 2 Freedland, Nat (1971-11-06). "A Movieland Challenge: Find the Right Formula for the Contemporary Artist". Billboard . 83 (45). Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 54. ISSN   0006-2510.
  8. 1 2 LoBrutto, Vincent (2008). Martin Scorsese: A Biography. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Publishing Group. p.  115. ISBN   978-0-275-98705-3.
  9. 1 2 Viglione, Joe. "Medicine Ball Caravan - Review". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  10. ↑ Povey, Glenn (2007). Echoes: The Complete History of Pink Floyd. Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England: Mind Head Publishing. p. 1985. ISBN   978-0-9554624-0-5.
  11. ↑ "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard . 83 (50). Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 62 1971-12-11. ISSN   0006-2510.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Elston, Casey. "The Last Dance: Live January 6, 1973 - Review". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  13. ↑ Planer, Lindsay. "Fillmore: The Last Days - Review". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  14. ↑ Huckvale, David (2008). Hammer Film Scores and the Musical Avant-Garde. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company. p. 159. ISBN   978-0-7864-3456-5.
  15. ↑ "From the Music Capitals of the World". Billboard . 85 (6). Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 26 1973-02-10. ISSN   0006-2510.
  16. ↑ George-Warren, Holly; Romanowski, Patricia; Pareles, Jon (2001). The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (3rd ed.). New York: Fireside Books (Simon & Schuster). p.  733. ISBN   978-0-7432-0120-9.
  17. ↑ Arar, Yardena (1979-11-25). "Pablo Cruise Looks at the Down Side". The Blade . Block Communications. p. G-5. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  18. ↑ "Obituary - Jo Baker". San Francisco Chronicle . 1996-11-14. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  19. ↑ McDonough, Jack (1985). San Francisco Rock: The Illustrated History of San Francisco Rock Music . San Francisco: Chronicle Books. p.  210. ISBN   978-0-87701-286-3.
  20. ↑ "Stoneground Discography - Main Albums". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  21. ↑ "Stoneground History". Bay Area Bands. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
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.