David LaFlamme
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David LaFlamme (May 4, 1941 – August 6, 2023) was an American singer and violinist best known for co-founding the San Francisco band It's a Beautiful Day.
Life and career
David Gordon LaFlamme was born in
After briefly serving in the
The group's second album, Marrying Maiden, was released the following year. It was their most successful on the charts, reaching number 28 in the U.S. and number 45 in the U.K. After two additional albums, Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime and Live at Carnegie Hall, LaFlamme left the group in 1972 over disputes regarding the direction and management of the band.
For a time he performed with the groups Edge City and Love Gun in the Bay Area before going solo. In 1976, he released the album White Bird on Amherst Records. His remake of the song "White Bird" cracked the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 89 that same year. This was followed by the album Inside Out in 1978, also on Amherst Records. Both project releases were co-produced by David LaFlamme and Mitchell Froom.
After years of legal wrangling over ownership of the band's name, LaFlamme resumed formal use of It's a Beautiful Day when former manager Matthew Katz let the trademark of the name go unrenewed. From 2000, he performed with the reconstituted band, which included his third wife, Linda Baker LaFlamme, and original drummer Val Fuentes. He also contributed to Jefferson Starship's 2008 release, Jefferson's Tree of Liberty.
LaFlamme also appeared on the television shows
In later years, LaFlamme suffered from Parkinson's disease. He died on August 6, 2023, in Santa Rosa, California at age 82. [2][3]
Discography
With It's a Beautiful Day
- It's a Beautiful Day (Columbia Records, 1969) US Album Chart No. 47 / UK Album Chart No. 58, 1970 (US: Gold[4])
- Marrying Maiden (Columbia Records, 1970) US Album Chart No. 28 / UK Album Chart No. 45, 1970
- Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime (Columbia Records, 1971) US Album Chart No. 130, 1971
- It's a Beautiful Day at Carnegie Hall (Live) (Columbia Records, 1972) US Album Chart No. 144, 1972
- 1001 Nights (Compilation) (Columbia Records, 1974)
- The Columbia Years 1969-1973 (Compilation Box Set) (Muskrat Records, 2008)
- Girl With No Eyes (Hookah Records, 2013)
- Live at the Fillmore '68 (Live) (Classic Music Vault, 2013), with DVD The David LaFlamme Story
Solo albums
- White Bird (Amherst Records, 1976)
- Inside Out (Amherst Records, 1978)
- Workin' the Gold Mine (Live) (It's About Music, Classic Music Vault, 2000)
- Beyond Dreams (Repertoire Records, Classic Music Vault, 2003)
- Hot Summer Days - San Francisco Nights (Non-labeled, 2004)
- Live in Seattle (Live) (It's About Music, 2004)
- Misery Loves Company (It's About Music, 2005)
References
- ^ Williams, Alex (August 26, 2023). "David LaFlamme, Whose 'White Bird' Captured a 1960s Dream, Dies at 82". The New York Times.
- ^ Tamarkin, Jeff (August 8, 2023). "David LaFlamme, Leader of San Francisco's It's a Beautiful Day, Dies". Best Classic Bands. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Brian (August 10, 2023). "David LaFlamme, violin innovator of 1960s with 'White Bird,' dies at 82". Washington Post. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
Sources
External links
- David LaFlamme homepage Wayback machine
- David LaFlamme discography at Discogs
- David LaFlamme at IMDb