Bobby Womack (1944–2014) was an American soul singer/songwriter who first recorded with his four brothers in The Valentinos, a protege act of Sam Cooke. They originated the Rolling Stones first international hit, “It’s All Over Now.” Womack launched his solo career with the 1968/69 Minit albums Fly Me to the Moon and My Prescription. On […]
The Dazz Band was an American soul-funk nine-piece from Cleveland, first named Kinsman Dazz for two 1978/79 albums on 20th Century Fox. As Dazz Band, they released seven 1980–85 albums on Motown and scored R&B crossover hits with “On the One for Fun,” “Let It All Blow,” and the electro-funk anthem “Let It Whip.” Members: […]
The James Gang was an American hard-rock band that debuted with the 1969 Bluesway release Yer’ Album, followed by four studio albums and a live disc on ABC Records, including the popular 1970/71 titles Rides Again and Thirds. Two songs, “Funk #49” and “Walk Away,” remain staples of classic rock radio. Multiple guitarists passed through […]
Edwin Starr (Jan. 21, 1942 — April 2, 2003) was an American soul singer from Nashville who released a string of 1965–67 singles on Detroit soul-press Ric-Tic Records. After Motown’s purchase of that label, he issued four proper albums and assorted singles on Tamla and Gordy, hitting big with the 1970 anti-war shouter “War.” Background […]
Damnation of Adam Blessing was an American hard-rock/psych band from Cleveland that released three albums on United Artists between 1969 and 1971, followed by a fourth as Glory on small-press Avalanche in 1973. Members: Adam Blessing [Bill Constable] (lead vocals), Bob Kalamasz (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jim Quinn (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Ray Benick (bass […]
Atlantis Philharmonic was an American symphonic-rock group from Cleveland that released a self-titled album on Dharma Records in 1974. The duo added guitarist Roger Lewis and completed a second album in 1975, issued three decades later as Atlantis Philharmonic II: Grand Master. Members: Joe DiFazio (organ, piano, harpsichord, Mellotron, Moog, guitar, bass, bass pedals, lead […]
Dragonwyck was an American heavy-psych band from the Cleveland suburb of North Olmsted that recorded two privately circulated albums between 1970 and 1973, followed by additional sessions under alternate names through the mid-1970s. Their moody, organ-laden sound drew frequent comparisons to The Doors, though their music incorporated heavier fuzz guitar, tempo shifts, and Gothic overtones […]
Purple Image was an American soul-psych band from Cleveland that released a 1970 self-titled album on Map City. Members: Warren Adams (vocals, piano, organ), Kenneth Roberts (vocals, rhythm guitar), William Adams (vocals, congas), Frank Smith (lead guitar), Del Moran (bass), Richard Payne (drums), Diane Dunlap (vocals) Background Purple Image formed in 1969 in Cleveland’s East Side […]
Hot Chocolate was an American soul-funk trio from Cleveland that released a 1971 album on Co Co Records. Members: Lou Ragland (vocals, guitar), George Pickett (bass), Tony Roberson (drums) For the namesake British hitmakers, click here. Background Hot Chocolate formed in Cleveland in 1970 when singer-guitarist Lou Ragland assembled bassist George Pickett and drummer Tony […]
15-60-75 (aka the Numbers Band) was an American avant-rock ensemble from Kent, Ohio, that released the live album Jimmy Bell’s Still in Town in 1976 on self-press Water Brothers. After a six-year gap, they issued the 1982–87 studio albums 15.60.75 2 and Among the Wandering. Members: Robert Kidney (vocals, guitar), Terry Hynde (alto saxophone, baritone […]
Granicus was an American hard-rock band from Cleveland that released a 1973 self-titled album on RCA. Members: Joe Battaglia (drums), Wayne Anderson (guitar), Dale Bedford (bass), Woody Leffel (vocals, guitar), Al Pinelli (guitar) Background Granicus formed circa 1970 when drummer Joe Battaglia teamed with guitarist Al Pinell. The two rehearsed in a Lakewood house, where […]
Pere Ubu was an American avant-garde rock band from Cleveland that cut the 1975–76 proto-punk singles “30 Seconds Over Tokyo” and “Final Solution,” followed by their debut indie album The Modern Dance. Ubu signed with Chrysalis for the 1978–79 post-punk albums Dub Housing and New Picnic Time, then jumped to Rough Trade for 1980’s The […]
S.O.U.L. — short for Sounds of Unity and Love — was an American soul-funk band from Cleveland that recorded for Musicor. They issued the 1971/72 albums What Is It and Can You Feel It, then continued through 1975 as a standalone singles act. Members: Lee Lovett (bass), Gus Hawkins (saxophone, flute), Paul Stubblefield (drums), Walter […]
The Innocent was an American melodic-rock band from Cleveland that released the 1985 album Livin’ in the Street. Most members hailed from local legends Breathless and Donnie Iris & The Cruisers. Members: Rodney Psyka (vocals, percussion), Alan Greene (guitar), Trent Reznor (keyboards), Albritton McClain (bass), Kevin Valentine (drums, electronic percussion) Background The Innocent formed in […]
Eyes were an American art-rock/pop band from Cleveland, Ohio, that released the 1977 album Stroke a Horse’s Navel on self-press Eyes Record Co., Inc. For the contemporary Pennsylvanian psych-rock band, click here. Background Brothers John and Jim Forcina played together in Eyes, a Cleveland group that rehearsed in a basement practice space. John played drums. […]
Snow was an American pop-psych band from Cleveland that released a 1968 self-titled album on Epic. Members: Jim Sikela, Dan Mahoney, Will Ryan Background Snow formed in Cleveland in 1968 out of the remnants of local band Muthers Oats. Guitarist Jim Sikela and bassist Dan Mahoney joined forces with singer-songwriter Will Ryan to write new […]
Darius — aka Robert J. Ottwere — was an American singer/songwriter from Cleveland who released a 1968 self-titled album on Chartmaker Records. His abandoned second album later appeared courtesy of archivists World in Sound. Background Darius was born Robert Joseph Ott in 1944 and grew up in Euclid, Ohio, near Cleveland, where he learned guitar […]
Lou Ragland (born July 18, 1942) is an American soul singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and label operator from Cleveland. He recorded the Northern soul favorite “I Travel Alone” for Amy Records and led the Cleveland group Hot Chocolate on a self-titled 1971 album. Ragland established SMH Records for his 1977 solo album He Says “Understand […]
Dunn & Bruce Street were an American soul-funk duo that released the 1982 album Official Business. Members: Bruce Gray, Dunn Pearson, Jr. Background Dunn & Bruce Street formed in 1981 when Cleveland keyboardist-arranger Dunn Pearson Jr. teamed with Philadelphia singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Bruce Gray. Pearson began piano lessons as a child and studied music […]
