Frijid Pink -

Frijid Pink was an American hard-rock band from Detroit that released the 1970 albums Frijid Pink and Defrosted on Parrot, scoring a No. 7 Billboard hit with a fuzzed-up cover of “House of the Rising Sun,” first made famous by The Animals. Bassist Tom Harris and drummer Rick Stevers were the only constant members through two lineup changes that accompanied the band’s third and fourth albums: Earth Omen (1972) and All Pink Inside (1974).

Members: Rick Stevers (drums, 1967-82), Tom Harris (bass, 1967-74, 1981-82), Kelly Green (lead vocals, 1967-71), Gary Thompson (guitar, 1967-71), Larry Zelanka (organ, 1967-72), Craig Webb (guitar, vocals, 1971-75), David Alexander [Jon Wearing] (lead vocals, 1971-74), Joe Baker (lead vocals, 1974-75), Art Wolf (bass, 1974), Larry Popolizio (bass, 1974-75),

Background

Frijid Pink formed in October 1967 in Allen Park, Michigan, when drummer Rick Stevers and bassist Tom Harris renamed the Detroit Vibrations, their band with singer Tom Beaudry (Kelly Green) and guitarist Gary Ray Thompson.

Stevers and Harris established the Detroit Vibrations in 1964 with singer Billy O’Reilly, guitarists Cary Dayton and Tim Machnik, and organist Dan Mason. Stevers played drums in school concert and marching bands. Harris studied clarinet in elementary school and switched to bass at age thirteen.

The Detroit Vibrations played Motown and R&B covers at the Chatterbox in Allen Park, where the group secured twenty-three consecutive weekend bookings. The club owner arranged appearances on Swingin’ Time, a television dance program hosted by Detroit-area disc jockey Robin Seymour. In 1966, Thompson and Beaudry, both from Wyandotte High School, approached band manager Clyde Stevers at the Chatterbox. The two joined as the original guitarists and singer departed. Their arrival spurred an increased emphasis on band originals.

In 1967, the Detroit Vibrations issued “I’m the Man” (b/w “She’s a Winner”) on the local Detroit Sound label. On October 15, the group appeared at the ALSAC benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Detroit’s Cobo Hall. They also backed London Records singer Jerry Jaye when his touring band failed to appear for the event. Jaye offered them a permanent backing position, but Stevers and Harris declined because they still attended high school. London representative Al Mitnik subsequently asked the group for studio recordings.

That month, the members adopted the Frijid Pink name at the Harbor Lights theater. They performed the opening set as the Detroit Vibrations, then returned in pink satin and velvet outfits for a rock set that opened with the Vanilla Fudge arrangement of “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” Clara Stevers first proposed “Frosted Pink” after Rick and guitarist Dan Yehley got pink paint on their clothes. Judy Harris suggested “Frigid” after noticing the family refrigerator; Clyde Stevers substituted the letter j.

Frijid Pink cut originals at Pioneer Recording Studio in Detroit. Meanwhile, Thompson and Stevers rearranged the Animals hit “House of the Rising Sun” for the live repertoire. They recorded the song in one take with approximately twenty minutes left in a studio session. Mitnik forwarded the track to London president Walt McGuire, who signed the group to the Parrot subsidiary. Frijid Pink completed the debut album at Media Sound Studios in New York with producer Michael Valvano and keyboardist Larry Zelanka.

In December 1968, Frijid Pink debuted with the Parrot single “Tell Me Why” (b/w “Cryin’ Shame”), followed in August 1969 with “God Gave Me You” (b/w “Drivin’ Blues”). Stevers played the studio tapes for Paul Cannon, program director at Detroit station WKNR. Cannon selected “House of the Rising Sun” and advised the group to request a change of single. Parrot issued “House of the Rising Sun” (b/w “Drivin’ Blues”) in December 1969, ahead of the self-titled debut album.

Discography:

Frijid Pink (1970)
Defrosted (1970)
Earth Omen (1972)
All Pink Inside (1974)

Sources:

Discogs: Frijid Pink

Resources and notes

Frijid Pink — Michigan Rock and Roll Legends — Detailed history of the Allen Park origins, original Detroit Vibrations lineup, school backgrounds, Chatterbox performances, personnel changes, Harbor Lights name change, ALSAC benefit, and Pioneer recording sessions. Includes historical group photographs and firsthand accounts from Rick Stevers. (Michigan Rock and Roll Legends)
Frijid Pink — Interview with Rick Stevers (2022) — Firsthand account of the 1964 basement group, early television appearances, 1966 personnel changes, naming process, Harbor Lights performance, Jerry Jaye engagement, London Records contact, and recording of “House of the Rising Sun.” (It’s Psychedelic Baby)
Gary James’ Interview with Rick Stevers — Stevers dates the Detroit Vibrations to late 1964 and the Frijid Pink name change to October 1967. Details the early cover repertoire, introduction of original songs, Cobo Hall benefit, and contact with London representative Al Mitnik. (Classic Bands)
Frigid Pink & Detroit Vibrations — Interview with Rick Stevers (2016) — Additional recollections of the Chatterbox residency, gradual replacement of the original Detroit Vibrations lineup, early live activity, and recording of “House of the Rising Sun.” (Review Magazine)
The Singles Collection — Frijid Pink — Repertoire Records compilation with the original Detroit Vibrations single “I’m the Man” / “She’s a Winner.” Confirms December 1968 for “Tell Me Why” and August 1969 for “God Gave Me You.” Contains original mono single mixes. (Repertoire Records)
The Detroit Vibrations — I’m the Man / She’s a Winner — Historical listing of the 1967 Detroit Sound 227 single, with label identification and original release details. (Popsike)
Terry Knight and the Pack — Performance Chronology — Concert documentation listing the Detroit Vibrations and Jerry Jaye at the October 15, 1967, ALSAC benefit at Cobo Hall. Establishes the original billing at the event. (Rock Prosopography 102)
Frijid Pink — United States Singles Discography — Label numbers and release dates for the Parrot singles, including “Tell Me Why” (45-334), “God Gave Me You” (45-340), and “House of the Rising Sun” (45-341). (45cat)
Frijid Pink — Debut Album Reissue — Original album track listing and group personnel, including keyboardist Larry Zelanka. (Repertoire Records)