Love (band)
Love | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Love Revisited The LOVE Band |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active |
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Labels |
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Members |
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Past members | See members section |
Website | www |
Love is an American
The band's classic lineup is considered to consist of frontman Lee, guitarist/singer Bryan MacLean, bassist Ken Forssi, guitarist Johnny Echols, and drummer Donnie Conca (the inspiration behind the song, “Signed D.C.”) and then replaced by Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer. By 1968, only Lee remained and he continued recording as Love with varied members through the 1970s. MacLean and Forssi died in 1998. Lee died in 2006. Forever Changes was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2011.[5] In recent years, original member Johnny Echols has toured under the title of the Love Band or Love Revisited.[6][7]
History
Formation and early years
Singer/multi-instrumentalist
Singer/guitarist
Love started playing the Los Angeles clubs in April 1965 and became a popular local attraction, while gaining the attention of the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds.[12] The band lived communally in a house called "the Castle".[13] It was a dilapidated mansion that the band was allowed to live in if they did the maintenance and paid the taxes. According to John Einerson in the book "Forever Changes", the cover photo of their first two albums was of the band taken in Laurel Canyon at a burned down house that only had the remains of a fireplace left standing.
Signed to Elektra Records as the label's first rock act,[14] the band scored a minor hit single in 1966 with their version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "My Little Red Book". Their first album, Love, was released in March 1966. The album sold moderately well and reached No. 57 on the Billboard 200 chart.[9] The single "7 and 7 Is", released in July 1966, gained notice for the exceptional guitar work of Johnny Echols and proto-punk style drumming of Pfisterer. The single became Love's highest-charting single at No. 33 in the Billboard Hot 100.[9] Two more members were added around this time, Tjay Cantrelli (real name John Barbieri) on woodwinds and Michael Stuart on drums. Pfisterer, never a confident drummer, switched to harpsichord.[12] Elektra's art director, William S. Harvey, designed a distinctive logo for the band, "four cartoonish letters with exaggerated, curvaceous serifs", incorporating male and female symbols.[15]
Forever Changes era
Love's second album,
Later years
For unclear reasons, Bryan MacLean left the band after Forever Changes
Arthur Lee, as the only remaining member, convened a new lineup of Love with Jay Donnellan (soon replaced by Gary Rowles) on guitar, Frank Fayad on bass, and George Suranovich on drums. This lineup played in a
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, there were various attempts to reunite the original Love lineup. At the suggestion of late-period guitarist John Sterling, Arthur Lee and Bryan MacLean reunited for one show in 1978, which was recorded and released as Love Live in 1980.[12] Material from Out Here plus four previously unreleased live tracks was released as Studio/Live in 1982.[12] Arthur Lee was largely inactive in the 1980s and only made sporadic onstage appearances with pickup bands.[8]
Lee reemerged in 1992 with a new album titled Five String Serenade, released under the name Arthur Lee & Love.[33] The album's title track was later covered by Mazzy Star.[34] Lee then returned to semi-regular performing, often backed by the band Baby Lemonade.[35] In 1995, Rhino Records released the compilation Love Story, a two-disc set with extensive liner notes which chronicled the band's 1966–1972 period.[36]
Ken Forssi, bassist for the classic Love lineup, died of a suspected brain tumor at age 54 on January 5, 1998.[24] Bryan MacLean died of a heart attack at age 52 on December 25, 1998, while having dinner with a young fan who was researching a book about Love.[37] Arthur Lee was in prison when both of these former bandmates died.[38]
Reformation and reunions
After spending six years in prison from 1995 to 2001 for firearms offenses, Lee began touring under the name Love with Arthur Lee, with the members of Baby Lemonade rounding out the lineup.[39] In 2002 Michael Stuart (now known as Michael Stuart-Ware), the drummer on the Love albums Da Capo and Forever Changes, wrote the acclaimed book Behind the Scenes on the Pegasus Carousel with the Legendary Rock Group Love.[40]
Johnny Echols joined Lee's latest group for a special Forever Changes 35th Anniversary performance in the spring of 2003 and again for tours in 2004 and 2005.[36] Due to Arthur Lee's battle with acute myeloid leukemia, the details of which were not known by the band at the time, he could not participate in the final tour in 2005. Since no one knew of his illness, Lee's decision to forgo the final tour was met with confused reactions.[8] The remaining members of the band, led by Echols, continued to perform without Lee, under the name The Love Band.[36]
Michael Stuart-Ware and Johnny Echols performed with Baby Lemonade at Hollywood's Whisky A Go-Go on June 28, 2006, in a benefit concert for Arthur Lee. The show included guest appearances by Robert Plant and Nils Lofgren. Lee died of acute myeloid leukemia on August 3, 2006, at age 61.[8]
In 2009, a reformed version of Love, featuring Johnny Echols, members of Baby Lemonade, and Probyn Gregory of
Influence
Love was the popular underground group in L.A. at that time, and we figured, well, if they went on Elektra, it must be a good label ... I think it was sad about Love, they were incredible, well, it's really Arthur Lee, I suppose, because... although the first Love group was a very, very great group. But I don't think they were willing to travel, and to go through all the games and numbers that you have to do to get it out to a large number of people. If they'd done that, I think they could have been as big as anyone. And someday they will.
– Jim Morrison, 1970[43]
Today, Love's critical reputation exceeds the limited success they experienced during their time;[12] their 1967 album Forever Changes is held in particularly high regard and often appears on lists of the best rock albums of all time.[44] During their late-1960s heyday, the Rolling Stones and the Doors were known to be Love fans.[13] Many bands of the 1990s that were influenced by psychedelic rock list Love as a major inspiration,[45] such as Primal Scream,[46] The Stone Roses,[47] and The Jesus and Mary Chain.[46] Robert Plant cites Forever Changes as one of his favorite albums.[48]
Members
Current members
classic lineup members are in bold
- Johnny Echols – lead guitar, occasional vocals (1965–68, 2002–present)
- Rusty Squeezebox (born David Ramsey[49])– guitar, vocals (1994–present)
- Mike Randle – guitar (1994–present)
- David "Daddy O" Green – drums (1994–present)
- James Nolte – bass guitar (2021–present)
Former members
classic lineup members are in bold
- Arthur Lee – songwriter, vocals, guitar, piano, percussion, harmonica (1965–75, 1978, 1982, 1992–2006; his death)
- Bryan MacLean – songwriter, rhythm guitar, vocals (1965–68, 1978; died 1998)
- Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer – drums, organ, harpsichord (1965–67)
- Larry Pincock – drums (1965–1966; died 2012)
- Johnny "Fleck" Fleckenstein – bass guitar (1965–1966, died 2017[50])
- Don Conka – drums (1965, special guest from 2003; died 2004)[51]
- Ken Forssi – bass guitar (1966–68; died 1998)
- Michael Stuart-Ware – drums (1966–68, special guest from 2006, 2009)
- Tjay Cantrelli (born John Barberis) – woodwind (1966–67; died 1985)
- Frank Fayad – bass guitar, backing vocal (1968–73, 1982; died 2014)
- George Suranovich – drums, backing vocal (1968–70, 1978, 1982; died 1990)
- Jay Donnellan – lead guitar (1968–69, 1982)
- Drachen Theaker – drums (1968–69; died 1992)
- Gary Rowles – lead guitar (1969–71, 1982)
- Nooney Rickett – guitars (1969–71)
- Paul Martin – guitars (1969)
- Don Poncher – drums (1971–1973)
- Craig Tarwater – guitar (1971–1973)
- Melvan Whittington – guitar (1973–1975; died 2015)
- Robert Rozelle – bass (1973–1975; died 2011)
- Joe Blocker – drums (1973–1975)
- Eric Alan "Ricky" Rackin – bass (1976–1977; died 2007)
- Probyn Gregory – multiple instruments (2009)
- Justin Polimeni – drums (1992–1993)
- Bobby Beausoleil – guitar (1965, as The Grass Roots)
- David Chapple – bass guitar (1996–2021)
Timeline
Discography
- Love (1966)
- Da Capo (1966)
- Forever Changes (1967)
- Four Sail (1969)
- Out Here (1969)
- False Start(1970)
- Reel to Real (1974)
- Arthur Lee & Love (1992)
- Love Lost (2009, compilation of recordings for unreleased 1971 album)
- Black Beauty (2012, compilation of recordings for unreleased 1973 album)
References
- ^ Prince, Patrick (March 31, 2011). "New label to release Love's 'Black Beauty'". Goldmine. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ a b Morrison, Craig. "Love – American rock group". Britannica. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-8154-1065-2.
- ISSN 0886-3032.
- ^ "Forever Changes". www.etsu.edu. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "The LOVE band featuring Johnny Echols Farewell UK Tour Summer 2019 -". December 14, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "Love Revisited". Retrieved October 27, 2021
- ^ a b c d Sullivan, James (August 4, 2006). "Arthur Lee (1945–2006)". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ a b c "Bryan MacLean | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Love | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c February 2016, Max Bell19 (February 19, 2016). "The Man Who Inspired Hendrix: The Crazy World Of Arthur Lee & Love". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Love's Main Man Looks Back on the '60s, Man : Arthur Lee, leader of Elektra's first rock band, talks about the Doors, the Byrds and Mick Jagger". Los Angeles Times. August 26, 1993. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ Jim K. Davies, "Love", Band Logo Jukebox Archived June 25, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 25, 2020
- ^ "Da Capo – Love | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Bruce Botnick Interview". Richieunterberger.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
- ^ "Forever Changes – Love | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Forever Changes by Love album review | Classic Rock Review". July 24, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ISBN 0-306-80287-2.
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. No. Special Issue. November 2003. 40 | Forever Changes – Love. Retrieved September 26, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Love, Dead in National Recording Registry". psychedelicsight.com. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
- ^ "LOVE STORY – Record Collector Magazine". recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ a b Scribner, Sara (March 25, 1999). "Love hurts". Dallas Observer. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- Breznikar, Klemen (December 29, 2017). "Love interview with Johnny Echols". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. Archivedfrom the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "False Start – Love | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Love Lost – Love | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Vindicator – Arthur Lee | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Love: Black Beauty Review". pastemagazine.com. November 11, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Reel to Real – Love | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series". United States Copyright Office. 1972. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard's Top Album Picks". Billboard. Billboard Publications, Inc. November 16, 1974. p. 61. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ "Five String Serenade – Arthur Lee | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "So Tonight That I Might See – Mazzy Star | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Love Backing Band Splits With Arthur Lee". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Love – Interview with Johnny Echols". www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Obituary: Bryan MacLean". The Independent. January 1, 1999. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ Greenwald, Matthew (December 12, 2001). "Love's Arthur Lee to Be Free". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ Greenwald, Matthew (August 9, 2002). "Arthur Lee's New Love". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ James, Falling (July 28, 2010). "Book Review: "Forever Changes: Arthur Lee and the Book of Love," by John Einarson". LA Weekly. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ Simon Godley, "Farewell UK Tour from The Love Band featuring Johnny Echols", GodIsInTheTV, 11 December 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2019
- ^ "LOVE with Johnny Echols – UK Tour 2022", LOVE Revisited, 2 November 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021]
- ^ Tobler, John (1970). "The Doors". ZigZag.
- ^ Jeff Weiss (November 8, 2017). "Love's Forever Changes May Be the Greatest Album Ever Made in L.A." laweekly.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
- ^ Goodman, Dean; Reuters (August 9, 2006). "Arthur Lee, influential musician in the band Love, dies". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
{{cite web}}
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has generic name (help) - ^ ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ Rolling Stone Magazine (May 5, 2005). "Q&A: Robert Plant". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
- ^ Rusty Squeezebox, Allmusic.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023
- ^ "Larry Tamblyn". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
- ^ Bruno Ceriotti, "Don Conca: The Rise and Fall of the Original Man with the Golden Arm". Retrieved June 30, 2022
External links
- Love at AllMusic
- Love discography at Discogs
- Complete Love discography – With track listings, personnel and lyrics.
- The Boston Phoenix July 2008