Blues Image

Background

Blues Image formed in 1966 in Tampa, Florida, when singer-guitarist Mike Pinera assembled a group with drummer Manuel “Manny” Bertematti, percussionist-vocalist Joe Lala, and keyboardist Emilio Garcia.

Pinera previously led the Impalas at Tampa teen dances and secured a date backing Gene Pitney after the group learned his songs. He later took Mike West and the Motions to Nevada casinos, then played Tampa club Dino’s. Lala grew up in Ybor City and attended Jefferson High School. Welsh bassist Malcolm Jones joined the group after his 1967 move to the United States.

Blues Image met keyboardist Frank “Skip” Konte in Virginia Beach while his Anchorage group, Blue Chip Stock, stayed at the same motel. Konte joined in August 1967; Garcia left to become a pilot. The band moved to Miami, where it played the World on Biscayne Boulevard. Pinera drew on British blues records, while Bertematti played drums alongside Lala on congas. The group recorded Pinera’s “Can’t You Believe in Forever” (b/w “Parchman Farm”) on the Image label.

Blues Image joined promoter Marshall Brevetz in converting a vacant Miami Beach bowling alley into Thee Image. The club opened on March 15, 1968, with the group on a bill with the Mothers of Invention and the Kollektion. Its house-band engagements brought Blues Image into contact with Eric Burdon, who urged the musicians to visit Los Angeles.

Burdon’s office booked them at the Whisky a Go Go, where Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman directed them to managers Lee Weisel and Larry Larson. Atlantic executives heard Blues Image at a Granada Hills rehearsal and signed the group to Atco. The label assigned Bill Halverson to produce the debut album.