Drake Levin
Drake Levin | |
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Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1966, Front L–R: Paul Revere, Dick Clark and Mike Smith. Back L–R: Drake Levin, Phil Volk, and Mark Lindsay. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Drake Maxwell Levin |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | August 17, 1946
Died | July 4, 2009 San Francisco, California, U.S. | (aged 62)
Genres | Pop, Rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
Drake Maxwell Levin (August 17, 1946 – July 4, 2009)[1] was an American musician best known as the guitarist for the pop-rock band Paul Revere & the Raiders.
Early life
Levin was born in Chicago, and his family's name, Levinshefski, was shortened to Levin a few years before his birth.[1]
Paul Revere & the Raiders
Levin joined the Paul Revere & the Raiders, in 1963, when he was 16 years old, which earned him the nickname "The Kid" from Paul Revere. His addition helped establish Paul Revere and the Raiders as a premier showband in the Northwest United States. Levin's performances included synchronized dance steps, playing on his knees, standing on his amplifier and playing his guitar behind his head. After a performance at Seattle's Spanish Castle Ballroom, a young man who had watched from the front of the stage all evening approached Drake. He said that Drake's playing had inspired him and said he was a really good showman. As Drake thanked him and they shook hands, Drake asked the young man his name and he replied, "Jimi Hendrix."[2]
The Raiders became a national teen sensation from their daily television exposure on the ABC television show Where The Action Is. It was during that time that Levin and the Raiders produced many hit records. Levin's blues-based guitar style helped drive the band's raw, edgy sound. Levin's synchronized dance steps and stage antics with fellow Raider bassist
When Volk became ill and could not tour, Levin stepped in to cover for his friend on a few dates, filling in on bass. When Levin's performing replacement, Valley, decided to leave The Raiders after a little over a year with the group, Levin again stepped in to help the band finish its spring 1967 tour. Levin was to perform with the Raiders on the
Brotherhood
Volk and Smith left the band after the Sullivan performance and Levin re-teamed with them in Brotherhood. The band was signed to RCA, but were hindered by the members' lingering contractual obligations to Columbia Records from their Raiders work. The power trio released three albums, two under the Brotherhood name in 1968 and 1969 and a third album in 1969 called Joyride under the name Friendsound. Joyride was an experimental album that was included on the 1979 Nurse with Wound list. The cover art for this album was illustrated by Edna Marie O'Dowd. Ms. O'Dowd was an emerging artist and a friend of Drake Levin during the recording of the album.
Guitars
Levin owned and played a triple-pickup
Later career and death
Levin subsequently performed with artists such as Ananda Shankar, Emitt Rhodes, and Lee Michaels (on the album Barrel). He also participated in reunions of various ex-members of the Raiders, and worked with his friend Phil Volk on several occasions.
Drake Levin died of cancer July 4, 2009 at his home in San Francisco, with his wife Sandra at his side.[1][5]
Discography
With Paul Revere & the Raiders
Studio albums
Year | Album details |
---|---|
1963 | Paul Revere & the Raiders |
1965 | Here They Come! |
1966 | Just Like Us! |
Midnight Ride | |
The Spirit of '67 | |
1967 | Revolution! |
Singles
Year | Song Titles |
---|---|
1963 | "So Fine"
b/w "Blues Stay Away" |
"Louie Louie"
b/w " | |
1964 | " Louie Go Home "
b/w "Have Love, Will Travel" |
"Over You"
b/w "Swim" | |
"Ooh Poo Pah Doo"
b/w "Sometimes" | |
1965 | "Steppin' Out"
b/w "Blue Fox" (Non-Lp track) |
"Just Like Me"
b/w "B.F.D.R.F. Blues" (Non-Lp track) | |
1966 | "Kicks"
b/w "Shake It Up" (Non-Lp track) |
"Hungry"
b/w "There She Goes" (from Midnight Ride) | |
"The Great Airplane Strike"
b/w "In My Community" | |
"Good Thing"
b/w "Undecided Man" | |
1967 | "Ups and Downs"
b/w "Leslie" (from Revolution!) |
"Him or Me – What's It Gonna Be?"
b/w "Legend Of Paul Revere" (from Greatest Hits) | |
"I Had A Dream"
b/w "Upon Your Leaving" | |
"Peace Of Mind" /
"Do Unto Others" | |
"Rain, Sleet, Snow"
b/w "Brotherly Love" Cancelled single |
References
- ^ a b c Bruce Weber (July 10, 2009). "Drake Levin, of Paul Revere & the Raiders, Dies at 62". The New York Times. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ ISBN 978-1613744789.
- ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/2892408-Drake-On-The-Road-To-Mexico
- ^ Phil Volk Interview October 19, 2009 – Grady Martin Radio Show
- ^ RIP: Drake Levin, guitarist with Paul Revere & Raiders The Louie Report. Retrieved on July 5, 2009.