Jay Ferguson -

Jay Ferguson (born May 10, 1947) is an American vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter from Burbank who emerged in psych-rockers Spirit, appearing on the albums Spirit, The Family That Plays Together, Clear, and Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. He then embarked on a three-album stint with the hard-rock boogie outfit Jo Jo Gunne and appeared on albums by Joe Walsh and John Fahey.

As a solo artist, Ferguson made the 1976–79 Asylum albums All Alone in the End Zone, Thunder Island, and Real Life Ain’t This Way, followed by the 1980–82 Capitol titles Terms and Conditions and White Noise.

Background

Jay Ferguson was born John Arden Ferguson on May 10, 1947, in Burbank, Calif. He grew up in Van Nuys and Chatsworth with brother Tom, a fiddle player. Ferguson began classical piano lessons at age 12 and took up banjo at age 16. He joined Tom in bluegrass group the Oat Hill Stump Straddlers. Ferguson attended Chatsworth High School, where classmates elected him senior class president. After high school, he studied at UCLA and taught piano at a music store.

Ferguson and bassist Mark Andes played San Fernando Valley garage bands Western Union and the Red Roosters, which briefly included teenage guitarist Randy California and veteran jazz drummer Ed Cassidy. The latter pair spent a subsequent year in New York, where California gigged in Jimmy James and the Blue Flames with a pre-fame Jimi Hendrix. After their return to the West Coast, California and James reteamed with Ferguson and Andes in Spirits Rebellious, a psychedelic band with keyboardist John Locke.

Under the shortened name Spirit, they played Los Angeles venues including the Ash Grove, Whisky a Go Go, and Magic Mushroom. Manager Ann Appelquist brought Ode executive Marshall Blonstein to an Ash Grove performance. Blonstein referred Spirit to producer Lou Adler, who signed the group to Ode Records.

Spirit

Ferguson served as lead vocalist and percussionist on debut album Spirit. He wrote seven of eleven tracks, including “Topanga Windows,” “Water Woman,” and “The Great Canyon Fire in General.” Ferguson co-wrote “Mechanical World” with Andes and shared a five-member credit on “Gramophone Man.”

For the second Spirit album, The Family That Plays Together, Ferguson branched onto keyboardis and wrote six songs, including “Silky Sam,” “Drunkard,” and “Dream Within a Dream.” French director Jacques Demy cast Spirit in the 1969 film Model Shop. Ferguson took a short speaking role in the film, while Spirit supplied instrumental recordings for the soundtrack.

Ferguson wrote four songs for the their third album, Clear, collaborating with California on “Dark Eyed Woman” and the title track. On their 1970 magnum opus Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus, Ferguson contributed “Animal Zoo,” “When I Touch You,” “Street Worm,” and the SPirit signature track, “Mr. Skin.” Along with Andes, Ferguson left Spirit in early 1971 after the Sardonicus tour.

Jo Jo Gunne

Ferguson and Andes formed Jo Jo Gunne in Los Angeles in 1971 with drummer Curly Smith. He sang lead and played keyboards across the original four-album run, comprised largely of Ferguson originals. David Geffen signed the quartet as the second act on Asylum Records. Jo Jo Gunne reached No. 6 on the UK singles chart with “Run Run Run.” Mark Andes left after the debut tour, replaced by bassist Jimmie Randall.

Ferguson wrote seven of nine songs alone on Bite Down Hard. He co-wrote “Special Situations” with Matt Andes and shared the Jo Jo Gunne credit on “Rhoda.” Bill Szymczyk produced the sessions.

Jo Jo Gunne recorded Jumpin’ the Gunne with Ferguson credited on all eleven songs. Ferguson sang lead and played keyboards, second guitar, and steel drums on the album. Matt Andes left after the third album. Guitarist Starr Donaldson briefly filled the vacancy. John Staehely joined Ferguson, Randall, and Smith for So…Where’s the Show?

Ferguson wrote all nine songs on So…Where’s the Show?, including “Where Is the Show?,” “I’m Your Shoe,” “Single Man,” and “Around the World.” Jo Jo Gunne ended activity in 1975 after four Asylum albums.

Other Pre-Solo Credits

Ferguson played organ and piano on John Fahey album The Yellow Princess alongside bassist Mark Andes, drummer Kevin Kelley, and guitarist Matt Andes.

Ferguson played piano on Keith Moon recordings “Crazy Like a Fox,” “The Kids Are Alright,” and “Back Door Sally” for Two Sides of the Moon. Curly Smith and Jimmie Randall also played on all three tracks.

Ferguson played keyboards with Joe Walsh at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Nov. 26, 1975, for a taping of television series Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert. ABC used six performances from the concert for live album You Can’t Argue with a Sick Mind. Producer Bill Szymczyk subsequently invited Ferguson to Miami to record original material for Asylum Records.

Discography: