Illinois Speed Press
Illinois Speed Press was an American rock band that was founded in Chicago in 1965 as "The Gentrys" and moved to Los Angeles in 1968 , where they called themselves "Illinois Speed Press". With their two lead guitars, the band played a mix of rock 'n' roll , soul and country music . After two albums, the group broke up in 1970.
history
In 1965 Paul Cotton ( guitar ) founded the band "The Gentrys" in Chicago with Frank Bartell on bass and Fred Page on drums . They were joined by Kal David (guitar) and Mike Anthony ( keyboard ). Cotton and David had previously had various band projects.
To avoid confusion with The Gentrys from Memphis , they changed their name to "The Rovin 'Kind". They did some recordings and released the single Everybody . In a 1966 regional competition, they won an appearance on the 1967 television show American Bandstand .
In 1967 Bartell left the band, he was replaced by Keith Anderson. The Rovin 'Kind became the house band of the club "Whiskey a Go Go" in Chicago. Here she saw the music producer James William Guercio , who hired her for Epic Records . In 1968 they moved to Los Angeles and called themselves the Illinois Speed Press.
In 1968 they appeared regularly at Whiskey a Go Go in Hollywood and played at the Newport Pop Festival . In 1969 she released her debut single Right on Time . Anderson was replaced by Rob Lewine before recording their first album, The Illinois Speed Press . The album was released alongside the Chicago Transit Authority debut albums , The Flock and Aorta , all of which were marketed under the slogan "Chicago Sound". All four albums could be placed on the Billboard 200 ; The Illinois Speed Press reached number 144.
Even before the album was released, Guercio fired Page, Anthony and later Lewine. The second album Duet was recorded by the duo Cotton and David with studio musicians, it was released in 1970. Kal David left Illinois Speed Press to form The Fabulous Rhinestones with bassist Harvey Brooks . Cotton was brought to Poco by Richie Furay to replace Jim Messina .
In 2009, Cotton and David reappeared as the Illinois Speed Press.
reception
Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington cited the musical style and double lead guitar as inspiration for founding Lynyrd Skynyrd .
The two albums by Illinois Speed Press were reissued in 2003 with bonus tracks on CD.
Discography
Albums
- 1969: The Illinois Speed Press
- 1970: Duet
Singles
- 1969: Right on Time / Night People
- 1969: Get in the Wind / Get in the Wind, Pt. II
- 1970: Sadly out of Place / Country Dumplin '
Web links
- Illinois Speed Press at Allmusic (English)
- Illinois Speed Press at Discogs (English)
- The Illinois Speed Press 1969 (full album) on YouTube