Blues Image: Difference between revisions
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Blues Image was formed in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida]] in 1966 by [[singing|singer]]-[[guitarist]] [[Mike Pinera]], singer-[[drummer]] Manuel "Manny" Bertematti, singer-[[percussion instrument|percussionist]] [[Joe Lala]] and [[bass guitarist|bassist]] [[Malcolm_Jones_(musician)|Malcolm Jones]]. They were later joined by [[keyboardist]] [[Skip Konte|Frank "Skip" Konte]]. Blues Image moved to [[Miami, Florida|Miami]] in 1968, where they were instrumental in helping promoters form the most innovative music venue in [[South Florida metropolitan area|South Florida]], 'Thee Image'. Blues Image became the [[house band]] at the club, which featured bands like the [[Grateful Dead]], [[Cream (band)|Cream]] and [[Blood, Sweat and Tears]]. |
Blues Image was formed in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida]] in 1966 by [[singing|singer]]-[[guitarist]] [[Mike Pinera]], singer-[[drummer]] Manuel "Manny" Bertematti, singer-[[percussion instrument|percussionist]] [[Joe Lala]] and [[bass guitarist|bassist]] [[Malcolm_Jones_(musician)|Malcolm Jones]]. They were later joined by [[keyboardist]] [[Skip Konte|Frank "Skip" Konte]]. Blues Image moved to [[Miami, Florida|Miami]] in 1968, where they were instrumental in helping promoters form the most innovative music venue in [[South Florida metropolitan area|South Florida]], 'Thee Image'. Blues Image became the [[house band]] at the club, which featured bands like the [[Grateful Dead]], [[Cream (band)|Cream]] and [[Blood, Sweat and Tears]]. |
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The band moved to Los Angeles and signed with [[Atco Records]], releasing their self-titled [[debut album]] in February 1969. Their second album, ''[[Open (Blues Image album)|Open]]'' (April 1970), included the popular [[hit record|hit]] "Ride Captain Ride". Featuring Kent Henry on guitar solo and fills, Pinera also plays solo at the end, the [[song]] was [[songwriter|co-composed]] by Pinera and Konte. This [[gramophone record|disc]] sold over one million copies, and received a [[music recording sales certification|gold record]] awarded by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|R.I.A.A.]] in August 1970.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book |
The band moved to Los Angeles and signed with [[Atco Records]], releasing their self-titled [[debut album]] in February 1969. Their second album, ''[[Open (Blues Image album)|Open]]'' (April 1970), included the popular [[hit record|hit]] "[[Ride Captain Ride]]". Featuring Kent Henry on guitar solo and fills, Pinera also plays solo at the end, the [[song]] was [[songwriter|co-composed]] by Pinera and Konte. This [[gramophone record|disc]] sold over one million copies, and received a [[music recording sales certification|gold record]] awarded by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|R.I.A.A.]] in August 1970.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book |
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Revision as of 16:01, 8 March 2009
Blues Image was a critically acclaimed late 1960s rock band. Their most successful song was "Ride Captain Ride" in the last half of 1970, which went all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #4 on the Canadian RPM magazine charts. Blues Image was a well respected band among their peers. In an interview conducted by British magazine Melody Maker, Jimi Hendrix said that Blues Image was "one of the best up and coming bands around". Shortly before Hendrix's demise, Hendrix and Manny Bertematti were seen jamming at the popular underground club, 'The Experience' on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip.
Career
Blues Image was formed in Tampa, Florida in 1966 by singer-guitarist Mike Pinera, singer-drummer Manuel "Manny" Bertematti, singer-percussionist Joe Lala and bassist Malcolm Jones. They were later joined by keyboardist Frank "Skip" Konte. Blues Image moved to Miami in 1968, where they were instrumental in helping promoters form the most innovative music venue in South Florida, 'Thee Image'. Blues Image became the house band at the club, which featured bands like the Grateful Dead, Cream and Blood, Sweat and Tears.
The band moved to Los Angeles and signed with Atco Records, releasing their self-titled debut album in February 1969. Their second album, Open (April 1970), included the popular hit "Ride Captain Ride". Featuring Kent Henry on guitar solo and fills, Pinera also plays solo at the end, the song was co-composed by Pinera and Konte. This disc sold over one million copies, and received a gold record awarded by the R.I.A.A. in August 1970.[1]
Pinera left the band and was replaced by singer Dennis Correll and guitarist Kent Henry. The band later broke up but did release a third album, Red White & Blues Image in May 1970.
The various members of Blues Image went on to become parts of other rock bands. Pinera & Bertematti later played with Iron Butterfly and Cactus. Pinera also played with Ramatam and Alice Cooper. Konte joined Three Dog Night, and Lala played with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Lala's percussion work figures prominently on the Stephen Stills/Chris Hillman led group, Manassas. Henry played lead guitar with Steppenwolf prior to their break-up in the early 1970s. Bertematti toured with Chi Coltrane and Bobby Womack.
Denny_Correll later recorded a series of successful Contemporary Christian rock albums, helped expand CCM's commercial appeal, and achieved airplay with several singles on CCM radio during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Gary Dunham, who also toured with the last incarnation of Blues Image, became a solo CCM artist.
Pinera has released several solo albums, most recently In the Garden of Eden.
Album discography
- Blues Image - (1969) - #112 (Billboard 200)
- Open - (1970) - #147 (Billboard 200)
- Red White & Blues Image - (1970)
References
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 274. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.