Pure Prairie League
| Pure Prairie League | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Genre (s) | Country music |
| founding | 1971 |
| resolution | 1987 |
| Website | http://www.pureprairieleague.com/ |
| Founding members | |
| Craig Lee Fuller | |
guitar |
George Powell |
| Tom McGrail | |
| Jim Lanham | |
| Last occupation | |
Vocals, guitar |
Gary Burr |
guitar |
Jeff Wilson |
bass |
Mike Reilly |
| Michael Connor | |
Drums |
Billy Hinds |
Pure Prairie League were an American country rock band from the 1970s that saw a variety of personnel changes.
Career
The band Pure Prairie League was founded in Columbus, Ohio in the early 1970s by Craig Fuller and Georg Powell. The band name was taken from an exclusively women-only abstinence club from the western Lord of the Wild West with Errol Flynn . They first played in a club in the Cincinnati area , before a record deal was signed with the RCA label in 1972. Before the first album was produced, drummer Tom McGrail was replaced by Jim Caughlin. Steel guitarist John Call was also hired.
1972 their first album, Pure Prairie League . A little later there were new staff changes. Billy Hinds became the new drummer, Al Briscoe replaced John Call and James Rolleston replaced bassist Jim Lanham. Then there was the pianist Michael Connor. The 1973 album Bustin 'Out sold poorly and the group lost their record deal. A song from this album, Amie , surprisingly found its way into the country charts three years later and RCA brought the group back.
However, Craic Fuller, the leading musician and songwriter, had already left the band. He was replaced by Larry Goshorn. His brother Tim Goshorn replaced John Call, who had meanwhile returned. With the album Two Lane Highway released in 1975, a chart success was recorded for the first time. The band's life was determined by extensive tours. More albums followed. In 1977 there was another profound change in personnel. With George Powell, the last founding member left the Pure Prairie League and the Goshorn brothers also left. The multi-instrumentalists Vince Gill and Patrick Bolin and the guitarist Jeff Wilson were hired.
After the album Cant't Hold Back , which was released in 1979 , the band switched to the Casablanca label. Patrick Bolin got out and was replaced by Jeff Wilson. A top ten hit was achieved with Let Me Love You Tonight . In 1983 Vince Gill left the group to begin a solo career. Gary Burr became the new lead singer. Pure Prairie League finally disbanded in 1987.
In 1998 there was a reunion, with Craig Fuller and Mike Reilly being supplemented by Rick Shell and Curtis Wright.
Discography
Albums
| year | title | Label | annotation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Pure Prairie League | RCA | |
| 1972 | Bustin 'out | RCA | |
| 1975 | Two Lane Highway | RCA | |
| 1976 | If The Shoe Fits | RCA | |
| 1976 | Dance | RCA | |
| 1977 | Live! Takin 'The Stage | RCA | |
| 1978 | Just fly | RCA | |
| 1979 | Can't hold back | RCA | |
| 1980 | Firin 'up | Casablanca | |
| 1981 | Something In The Night | Casablanca | |
| 1987 | Mementos 1971–1987 | Rushmore | |
| 2005 | All in good time | Drifter's Church |