Climax (band)

Last updated
Climax
Climax US Band 1972.JPG
The band in 1970.
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Soft rock, [1] pop rock
Years active1970–1976
Labels Rocky Road

Climax was an American band formed in 1970 in Los Angeles, California, most noted for their 1971-1972 hit song "Precious and Few", which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and No. 1 on Cashbox magazine's Top 100 singles chart. This disc sold over one million copies and was certified gold by the RIAA on February 21, 1972. [2]

Contents

Career

Climax initially consisted of lead singer Sonny Geraci; composer and guitarist Walter D. Nims; composer, singer, and keyboardist Nick D'Amico (Nicola Marcello D'Amico); and drummer Jon Jon Guttman (who wrote several songs on the band's lone album and also played other percussion). This quartet were soon augmented by unofficial fifth member (and second keyboardist) Johnny Stevenson, who officially joined the band upon D'Amico's departure in 1971. Executive producer Marc Gordon and record producer Larry Cox also played instrumental roles in recording the band and shaping their sound. The band was together from 1970 to 1976, during which they recorded one album, many singles and unreleased sides. They are generally considered a one-hit wonder because other than "Precious and Few", no other releases gained much widespread success.

Origins

Climax descended from the 1960s hit band The Outsiders. [3] Former Outsiders members Geraci, Nims, and D'Amico, along with new member Guttman recorded and released a few singles under the Outsiders name (including "Lovin' You"/"Think I'm Fallin'" and "Changes"/"Lost in My World"), but when Tom King of the original band threatened legal action, the name of the band was changed to Climax for subsequent singles.

Scoring a hit

"Precious and Few", the band's biggest hit, was actually first recorded in 1970 with producer Ron Kramer and arranged by Nick D'Amico. It was later re-worked by producer Larry Cox, who was assigned by label owner Marc Gordon to re-tool the band's material. Cox, who later worked with Jefferson Starship and produced many of their soft rock ballads (including "Miracles"), was introduced to Climax by fellow Texan and soon-to-be new Climax keyboardist Johnny Stevenson. Cox urged the band to re-record "Precious and Few" and encouraged lead singer Sonny Geraci to capitalize on his ability to perform high-powered ballads.

Initially, nothing came of the newly recorded single. It was stored in the Bell Records archives for a couple of years, but was dusted off after a Bell executive heard it being played on a Santa Barbara radio station (Climax's home base). Bell Records subsidiary, Carousel, released the record in Hawaii as a test six months prior to being a hit on the mainland. After more market tests in Buffalo and Boston in early 1972, the record gained momentum quickly. By the week ending February 26, 1972, "Precious and Few" had peaked at the No. 3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 (spending two weeks at that position), and also hit No. 1 on Cashbox magazine's Top 100 chart.

Incidentally, "Precious and Few" was also vocal arranger Tom Bahler's first opportunity to demonstrate his talents. Hired by producer Larry Cox, Bahler, along with his brother John, later created a significant impact in the music industry as arrangers and session singers in the late 1960s and 1970s performing on hundreds of singles, most notably the recordings by The Partridge Family .

Subsequent career

The follow-up single to "Precious and Few" was "Life and Breath", a song written by George S. Clinton (who contributed to the Austin Powers movie song tracks). "Life and Breath" reached No. 1 status in Hawaii, No. 11 at KHJ in Los Angeles, and topped out on the national charts at No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 15 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart. They were also the first band to record "Rock and Roll Heaven", a song written for Sonny Geraci by Alan O'Day and Climax keyboard player Johnny Stevenson, the latter of whom had officially replaced Nick D'Amico after he left the band in 1971. "Rock and Roll Heaven" was later recorded by The Righteous Brothers (with some lyric changes), and became the duo's comeback hit in the summer of 1974.

Once "Life and Breath" ran out of steam, Climax never recovered. Climax's record label, Carousel, was owned by Marc Gordon, who was also managing The 5th Dimension at the time. The existence of another Carousel label caused Gordon to change the label's name to Rocky Road. In retrospect, Gordon's plate was full managing a supergroup, and signing and managing other artists, including Al Wilson ("The Snake" and "Show and Tell"). All of these factors hampered the success of "Life and Breath" and future Climax singles releases (including "Rock and Roll Heaven").

In 1972, subsequent to the release of these singles, the group's album Climax Featuring Sonny Geraci finally appeared. In addition to the core band members (and at-the-time unofficial member Stevenson), musicians who contributed to the album included bassists Joe Osborn, Steve La Fever, Reinie Press, and Joe Bellamy; keyboardist Larry Knechtel; additional drummers John Raines and Earl Palmer; percussionist Alan Estes; and Gordon MacKinnon, who performed double reed and woodwind solos. [4] [5] In spite of the success of "Precious and Few", the album barely made it into the top 200 portion of the Billboard 200 sales chart, peaking at No. 177.

"Walking in the Georgia Rain" was issued with the artist name displayed as "Sonny Geraci and Climax". A short time later, an article appeared in Billboard stating that the group had recorded four new tracks with producer Steve Cropper, and "It's Gonna Get Better" was the first track issued from the session. "It's Gonna Get Better" was issued as being performed by Sonny Geraci and Climax. The rare stock copy has another of the Cropper-produced tracks, "Let This Song Through" (written by Stevenson), on the flip side. The other new tracks recorded with Cropper were left in the can, as "It's Gonna Get Better" proved to be the final Climax release.

Keyboard player Johnny Stevenson also scored a solo release issued as Rocky Road 30065, pairing "The Great Campaign" (an instrumental written by Stevenson) with an instrumental version of "If It Feels Good, Do It".

During Climax's run with Rocky Road, they charted four top 5 records in Hawaii: "Precious and Few", "Life and Breath", "Walking in the Georgia Rain" and "Caroline This Time".

Legacy/Aftermath

Some industry insiders felt Climax should have been far more successful than they actually were. The lack of a solid, powerful marketing and managing organization hurt the band when their follow-up "Life and Breath" was not given enough attention and funding to break through. After "Life and Breath" fizzled, the label was not ready to release the band's only album, Climax featuring Sonny Geraci during "Precious and Few"'s climb up the charts, which eroded the band's popularity and market edge. Yet, in spite of that, "Precious and Few" was a popular selection for proms and weddings, according to a 2011 interview with Geraci. [6]

Nims, the band's principal songwriter and guitarist, died on March 31, 2000, at age 56, after suffering a stroke. [7] Guttman died from a traffic accident on January 7, 2003 at the age of 55/56. [8] Geraci died on February 5, 2017, at the age of 70. [9]

Discography

Albums

Climax's lone album, Climax Featuring Sonny Geraci, was released in 1972 on Rocky Road Records. The album had twelve cuts, and some were used as B-sides for subsequent singles.

In 1979, a compilation album titled Picnic in the Rain was released on Koala Records. Only two of the songs had appeared on their 1972 album.

Notes:

  1. "Changes" and "Hard Rock Group": A-sides of single releases. "Hard Rock Group" appears in stereo only on this LP ("Changes" is mono).
  2. "Park Preserve": Originally B-side to "Precious and Few", this was the full unedited version and is in stereo.
  3. "Child of December" and "Picnic in the Rain": Originally released on 1972 album.
  4. "Somebody's Watching You", "The War", "Small World", "Easy Evil" and "Searchin'": Previously unreleased

In 1980, Koala released yet another Climax album titled If It Feels Good, but the album was credited in error to Climax Blues Band. Most of the LP was taken from the 1972 LP, but there were three tracks unique to this release.

Notes:

  1. "Ain't Going Nowhere" (1:30) is a partial early version of "Park Preserve" which begins with the line "Ain't goin' nowhere, I wanna be with you", goes into the middle section and then ends abruptly. The song is not the same as the version on the flip of "Precious and Few". The guitar solo is different, horns are included and the vocal is different.
  2. "Don't Start Something You Can't Finish" (2:29), written by Nims, appears only on this LP.
  3. "Waitin' for the End to Come" (2:35), also written by Nims, appears in stereo.

LP of Sounds Like the Navy radio show appearance

In 1972, the group appeared "live in the studio" for the promotional Sounds Like the Navy radio show, issued on two LPs only to radio stations. Performing without any orchestral backing, the group faithfully reproduced many of their released songs and also performed several songs, including originals written by Nims, that were never issued in any other format.

The show was split into four 15-minute mini episodes and the songs that were performed in full were: "I've Got Everything", "I Can't Quit Her", "Life and Breath", "The Lady is a Nasty Dancer", "Picnic in the Rain", "Going Through the Motions", "Droopy Shoulders", "Wait For You", "Child of December", "Hand Me Down My Rock n' Roll Shoes", "Face the Music", "Precious and Few". Songs performed and only had parts aired were: "If It Feels Good, Do It", "Diving Duck Blues", "The Cage", and "Rainbow Rides Are Free".

Singles

Unreleased songs

(Some of these were recorded for their second album which was never released)

CD issues

There have been three official CDs released. All are on budget labels, and none have been remastered.

The first, titled Precious and Few (on KRB Records and later Classic Sound), was released in 1997 and listed ten tracks, but actually included eleven:

  1. "Precious and Few"
  2. "Life and Breath"
  3. "Merlin"
  4. "Picnic in the Rain" ("Postlude" is here prior to "Picnic...", but not listed)
  5. "Rock and Roll Heaven"
  6. "Park Preserve" (long version)
  7. "Rainbow Rides Are Free"
  8. "Waiting for the End to Come"
  9. "It's Coming Today"
  10. "If It Feels Good, Do It"

The second, titled The Best of Climax featuring Sonny Geraci (on Wise Buy Records), was released in 1998, and contained fifteen songs (actually sixteen with another "hidden" song). Many were in the "unreleased" category above:

  1. "Precious and Few"
  2. "Life and Breath"
  3. "Rainbow Rides Are Free"
  4. "If It Feels Good, Do It"
  5. "Searchin'"
  6. "Picnic in the Rain" (without "Postlude")
  7. "Walking in the Georgia Rain"
  8. "Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
  9. "Rosemary Blue"
  10. "Droopy Shoulders"
  11. "Caroline This Time" (longer version than on the single)
  12. "Young Boy"
  13. "It's Coming Today"
  14. "Merlin"
  15. "Child of December" (with an unlisted "Prelude" before it)

The third compilation was released in 2002, and is available on iTunes:

  1. "Precious and Few"
  2. "Life and Breath"
  3. "Merlin"
  4. "Park Preserve"
  5. "Picnic in the Rain"
  6. "Rainbow Rides Are Free"
  7. "Waiting for the End to Come"
  8. "It's Coming Today"
  9. "If It Feels Good Do It"
  10. "I've Got Everything"
  11. "Child of December"
  12. "Searchin'" (shorter single version)
  13. "The War"

Other bootlegs have been released including a 26 track compilation called The Best of Climax.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hollies</span> English pop group formed in the early 1960s

The Hollies are an English rock and pop band formed in 1962. One of the leading British groups of the 1960s and into the mid-1970s, they are known for their distinctive three-part vocal harmony style. Allan Clarke and Graham Nash founded the band as a Merseybeat-type group in Manchester, although some of the band members came from towns further north, in east Lancashire. Nash left the group in 1968 to form Crosby, Stills & Nash, though he has reunited with the Hollies on occasion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan O'Day</span> American singer-songwriter (1940–2013)

Alan Earle O'Day was an American singer-songwriter, best known for writing and singing "Undercover Angel," a million-selling Gold-certified American No. 1 hit in 1977. He also wrote songs for many other notable performers, such as 1974's Helen Reddy No. 1 hit "Angie Baby" and the Righteous Brothers' No. 3 Gold hit "Rock and Roll Heaven". In the 1980s he moved from pop music to television, co-writing nearly 100 songs for the Saturday morning Muppet Babies series, and in the 1990s he wrote and performed music on the National Geographic series Really Wild Animals. O'Day also collaborated with Tatsuro Yamashita on a series of popular songs in Japan including "Your Eyes", "Magic Ways", "Christmas Eve" and "Fragile".

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

The Grass Roots is an American rock band that charted frequently between 1965 and 1975. The band was originally the creation of Lou Adler and songwriting duo P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri. In their career, they achieved two gold albums and two gold singles, and charted singles on the Billboard Hot 100 a total of 21 times. Among their charting singles, they achieved Top 10 three times, Top 20 six times and Top 40 14 times. They have sold over 20 million records worldwide.

<i>The Sonny Side of Chér</i> 1966 studio album by Cher

The Sonny Side of Chér is the second studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on March 28, 1966, by Imperial, as her second album, Cher again collaborated with Sonny Bono and Harold Battiste. The album is by-and-large a covers album and contains two songs written by Bono. The title of the album is a pun on the name of Cher's first husband Sonny Bono. Cher's second successful album of the sixties, it was released on CD in 1992 by EMI together with Cher's first album as a 2fer. In 1995 EMI re-released this 2fer with the album Chér. The last version of the album was released in 2005 only in UK by BGO Records. These editions feature a different track order than the original LP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Outsiders (American band)</span> American rock and roll band (1965–70)

The Outsiders were an American rock and roll band from Cleveland, Ohio, that was founded and led by guitarist Tom King. The band released the hit single "Time Won't Let Me" in early 1966, which peaked at No. 5 in the US in April. The band had three other Hot 100 top 40 hit singles in 1966, but none on the Hot 100 afterwards, and released a total of four albums in the mid-1960s.

<i>Stay with The Hollies</i> 1964 studio album by the Hollies

Stay with the Hollies, also known by its American release title Here I Go Again, is the debut album by the British rock band the Hollies and was released in January 1964 on Parlophone Records. In Canada, it was released on Capitol in July 1964, with a different track listing. In the US, Imperial Records issued the album under the title Here I Go Again in June 1964 to capitalize on the moderate success of the singles "Here I Go Again" and "Just One Look". It also features covers of well-known R&B songs, not unusual for Beat groups of the day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waiting on a Friend</span> 1981 single by the Rolling Stones

"Waiting on a Friend" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones from their 1981 album Tattoo You. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and released as the album's second single, it reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US.

Robert John is an American singer perhaps best known for his 1979 hit single, "Sad Eyes", which reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaving Here</span>

"Leaving Here" is a song written in 1963 by Motown songwriters Holland–Dozier–Holland. Written at the beginning of the partnership, it is notable in several recordings. It was originally released as a single in December 1963 by H-D-H lyricist Eddie Holland and peaked at number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 27 on the Billboard R&B chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonny Geraci</span> American singer (1946–2017)

Emmett Peter "Sonny" Geraci ("Jer-ah-see"); November 22, 1946 – February 5, 2017) was an American singer, best known as lead singer of musical groups The Outsiders and Climax.

The Starfires is an American rock and roll band founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1958 by Tom King when he was 15. The band is sometimes identified as Tom King and the Starfires. King is best known as the original bandleader of the Outsiders; however, it was only at the insistence of Capitol Records that the band's name was changed when they created their breakout hit "Time Won't Let Me".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Don't Know Me</span> Song by Bon Jovi

"She Don't Know Me" is a single by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was the second single from their self-titled debut album Bon Jovi (1984). It was written by Mark Avsec and charted at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Time Wont Let Me</i> (album) 1966 studio album by The Outsiders

Time Won't Let Me is the first studio album by the Outsiders. It was named after the band's early 1966 break-out single, "Time Won't Let Me".

<i>Album Number 2</i> 1966 studio album by The Outsiders

Album #2 – also known as The Outsiders Album #2 or simply #2 – is the second studio album by the Outsiders.

<i>In</i> (album) 1967 studio album by The Outsiders

In is the third studio album by the Outsiders. It is the first album released by the band that did not make the Billboard charts.

<i>Happening Live!</i> 1967 live album by The Outsiders

Happening Live! is the fourth album by the Outsiders. Although represented as being a live album, in actuality crowd noises and song introductions were added to studio recordings, some of which had appeared on previous albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Precious and Few</span> 1971 single by Climax

"Precious and Few" is a song recorded by American group Climax which became a major North American hit in early 1972. The song was written by the band's guitarist, Walter D. Nims.

Marcus Melvin "Marc" Gordon was an American Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter and music executive, best known for his work with Hal Davis at Motown, and for his later involvement with The 5th Dimension.

<i>Something Old, Something New, Something Blue, Somethin Else</i> 1962 studio album by The Crickets

Something Old, Something New, Something Blue, Somethin' Else is a rock and roll album by the Crickets. It is The Crickets' third release following the departure and subsequent death of their front man, Buddy Holly. As the original cover indicates, the album contains versions of four old songs, four new songs, and four songs with variations of "blue" in the title.

"Somebody's Watching You" was a single for Little Sister in 1970. It became a hit for the group and registered in the Billboard and Cash Box charts.

References

  1. ↑ "Climax - Biography & History". AllMusic.
  2. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p.  291. ISBN   0-214-20512-6.
  3. ↑ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 507. ISBN   0-85112-939-0.
  4. ↑ Back cover liner notes of Climax's self-titled debut vinyl album (1972)
  5. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ Mark Voger (March 25, 2011). "Sonny Geraci interview". Nj.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Songs written by Walter D. Nims". SecondHandSongs.com.
  8. ↑ Jon Guttman Obituary (2003), Akron Beacon Journal (from legacy.com) Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  9. ↑ Boose, Josh (February 5, 2017). "Sonny Geraci Dies". WTAM . Archived from the original on February 6, 2017.
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.