Paul Revere & the Raiders
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| Paul Revere & the Raiders | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Downbeats |
| Origin | Boise, Idaho, United States |
| Genre(s) | Rock and roll |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Website | http://www.paulrevereraiders.com |
| Former members | |
| Red Hughes (vocals) 1958 Mark Lindsay (vocals/saxophone/songwriter/producer) 1958-1975 |
|
Paul Revere & the Raiders is an American rock band that saw enormous mainstream success in the 1960s, best-known for hits like "Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian)" (1971), "Steppin' Out" & "Just Like Me" (1965), "Kicks" (1966), "Let Me" (1969) and "Hungry" (1966).
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Early years
The group, initially located in Boise, Idaho, started as an instrumental rock outfit led by organist Paul Revere (born Paul Revere Dick on January 7, 1938).[1] In his early twenties, Revere already owned several restaurants in Caldwell, Idaho, [2] and first met singer Mark Lindsay (born March 9, 1942, Eugene, Oregon)[3] while picking up an order of hamburger buns from the bakery where Lindsay worked [2] (this circumstance was later referred to in the tongue-in-cheek song "Legend of Paul Revere"). Lindsay joined Revere's band in 1958. Originally called The Downbeats, they changed their name to Paul Revere & The Raiders in 1960 on the eve of their first record release for Gardena Records. The band scored their first Pacific Northwest hit in 1961, with "Like, Long Hair." The song had enough national appeal that it peaked at #38 in the Billboard charts on April 17th, 1961. [4][5]. Revere was drafted, became a conscientious objector [2] and worked at a mental institution for a year and a half of deferred service as a cook, while Mark Lindsay worked at pumping gas in Wilsonville, Oregon. [2] Lindsay, on the strength of their Top 40 hit, toured the U.S. in the Summer of 1961 with a band that featured Leon Russell filling in for Revere on piano [2].
By the summer of 1962 Revere and Lindsay were working together again in Oregon with a version of the Raiders that featured drummer Mike "Smitty" Smith, who would serve two long stints with the band [2]. Around this time, KISN DJ Roger Hart, who was producing teen dances, was looking for a band for hire. At a local bank, Hart had a casual conversation with a teller, who said she'd heard of a band called "Paul Revere-something." Hart obtained Revere's phone number, and they met for lunch. After a brief back-and-forth negotiation, Hart hired the band for one of his teen dances. Soon after, Hart became the group's personal manager. It was Roger Hart who suggested they record "Louie Louie", for which Hart paid them about $50, producing it and placing it on his SANDE label, which in turn got the attention of Columbia Records [6] . According to Mark Lindsay, the Northwest Raiders were a "bunch of white-bread kids doing their best to sound black. We got signed to Columbia (Records) on the strength of sounding like this." [6] Whether the Raiders or The Kingsmen recorded "Louie Louie" first is a matter of some controversy; however, both groups recorded in the exact same studio in Portland, Oregon. Although beaten in the charts by The Kingsmen's version, Paul Revere & The Raiders built a longer career. [7] Paul Revere and the Raiders consisted at this point of Revere, Lindsay, Smith, guitarist Drake Levin and bassist Mike "Doc" Holliday, who was replaced in early 1965 by Phil Volk [8].
[edit] Hit Making Period
They would maintain a huge level of popularity in the mid-1960s, beginning with "Steppin' Out" (1965), which marked the beginning of a string of garage rock classics. The Raiders, under the guidance of producer Terry Melcher, increasingly emulated the sounds of British Invasion bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, and The Animals, albeit with an American, R&B feel. Their second major national hit, "Just Like Me" (1965 - #11) was one of the first rock records to feature a distinctive, double-tracked guitar solo (by guitarist Drake Levin) [2].
The band appeared regularly on national television, especially on Dick Clark's Where the Action Is, Happening '68, and It's Happening, the latter two of which were co-hosted by Paul Revere and Mark Lindsay. Here they were presented as the American response to the British Invasion. Playing on Paul Revere's name, the group wore American Revolutionary War soldier uniforms and performed slapstick comedy and synchronized dance steps while the ponytailed Lindsay lip synched to their music. This farcical, cartoonish image obscured the proto-hard rock sound that their music often took. The Raiders were at one point endorsed by the Vox Amplifier company (Revere used their Vox Continental combo organ, bassist Phil Volk was seen on television playing their "coffin bass"—with "FANG" in masking tape letters on the backside—and everyone played through Vox Super Beatle amplifiers). Levin left the group in 1966 to join the National Guard, and was replaced by Jim Valley, another Northwest musician the Raiders had met and come to admire during their days playing the Portland and Seattle circuit. Valley was dubbed "Harpo" by the other Raiders due to a vague resemblance to the famous Marx brother [8] (his trademark shtick on Where The Action Is was his horn which would either bring good luck or bad luck). Their hits from the mid-60s included "Kicks" (Billboard Pop Chart #4), "Him or Me - What's It Gonna Be?" (#7), "Good Thing" (#5), "Hungry" (#5), and "Great Airplane Strike" (#20). Of these, "Kicks" became their best-known song, an anti-drug message written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil that was originally earmarked for The Animals.
In mid-1967, with three gold albums to their credit, they were Columbia Records' top-selling rock group; their Greatest Hits album was one of two releases selected by Clive Davis to try out a higher list price for albums expected to be particularly popular, along with Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits [9].
At the height of their popularity, the power trio of the Raiders left the group. Disenchanted that the band was not being allowed to evolve into a more egalitarian creative team, miffed at being replaced by studio musicians on the records, and unhappy with the continued teen-oriented direction of the band at the same time as a much more serious style of rock and roll was coming to the fore, bassist Phil Volk and drummer Mike Smith rejoined guitarist Drake Levin to form a band called The Brotherhood, while Jim Valley embarked on a solo career [8].
[edit] Post "Action" Era
Changing tastes in the late 1960s rendered the group unfashionable, but they still continued to have hits through the rest of the decade, such as "I Had A Dream" (1967 - #20), "Too Much Talk" (1968 - #18), and "Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon" (1969 - #18). The band at this point included guitarist Freddy Weller, drummer Joe Correro and bassist Charlie Coe, who was replaced in August 1968 by former Action heartthrob Keith Allison. According to author Derek Taylor, the Raiders were seen as "irrelevances. . . . Nervous citizens felt reassured that some good safe things never changed." [10]
Tensions between Lindsay and Revere increased during this time; Lindsay wanted to go more in the direction of hard rock acts like Led Zeppelin or the James Gang, while Revere sought a bubblegum pop direction (Revere turned down an offer to play the Woodstock festival). Lindsay's vision for the Raiders was represented on songs such as "Let Me" (1969 - #20 - Gold Single), and album Alias Pink Puzz. The success of "Let Me" allowed Paul Revere and the Raiders to tour Europe with the Beach Boys in the Spring of 1969 (they also recorded two songs for the long running German music program Beat Club at this time). [11]
In an effort to change the bands' sound and image, the name was officially shortened to The Raiders. Collage was an attempt to move the Raiders into another direction. Despite a glowing review in Rolling Stone magazine (critic Lenny Kaye praised the album's production and remarked, "Mark Lindsay never fails to give the imprression that he knows what he's doing. Almost single-handedly, he's brought the Raiders to a stronger position than they've occupied in years." [12] [2]. Unfortunately, Collage, and its single "Just Seventeen" (1970 - #70), was a dismal commercial failure, and Lindsay began to turn toward solo projects. Joe Correro departed after their spring tour ended, to be replaced by his predecessor Mike "Smitty" Smith [2]. (Former bassist Phil Volk also filled in for a few shows on this tour.)[13]
"Freeborn Man", a song written by Lindsay and bassist Keith Allison, has since gone on to be a Country Rock standard, covered by The Outlaws, Junior Brown, and Glen Campbell among many others.
Ironically, The Raiders biggest hit, "Indian Reservation" (1971 - #1 - Gold single), was recorded as a Mark Lindsay solo session and included input from no one else in the band[citation needed]. Some sources erroneously credit the lead vocals to Freddy Weller, who had recorded a cover version of The Cowsills' hit "Indian Lake" around that same time, hence the confusion. For promotion, Revere took the unusual step of riding cross country a total of four times, plugging the song at every market available. Revere's efforts paid off, and "Indian Reservation" peaked at #1 for one week in July[14]. Paul Revere: "I called the head of Columbia's promotion and told him I was going on a record promotion trip, which was something artists didn't do anymore."[2] "Indian Reservation" was Columbia Records biggest selling single for almost a decade, clearing over 6 million units. They followed this success with a top 20 album (Indian Reservation) and the #24 hit "Birds of a Feather." The Raiders expanded to include drummer Omar Martinez and keyboardist Bob Wooley.
In 1972, The Raiders made one last attempt at a pop album, with Country Wine, but Columbia was sinking money into other acts, such as Blue Öyster Cult and Aerosmith, and Country Wine sank in the resulting quagmire. They did continue to release singles for Columbia until their contract expired in 1975. Their last hits were "Country Wine" (1972 - #52), "Powder Blue Mercedes Queen" (1972 - #54), "Song Seller" (1972 - #96), "Love Music" (1973 - #97) and "All Over You" (1973 - did not chart)[2]. Freddy Weller and Mike Smith departed on New Year's Eve 1972. Weller was replaced by guitarist Doug Heath. As their chart career faded, The Raiders' concert fortunes dwindled, and they found themselves playing smaller venues, lounges and state fairs as an "oldies" act, a situation Revere found pleasing, but not so Mark Lindsay. Referring to a 1973 show at Knotts Berry Farm, Lindsay stated "that (show featured) one of our bad sets. They only let us do thirty minutes and it's hard to construct a good show. (For this set) we didn't do any of the old (songs)."[8]
[edit] After Mark Lindsay
Lineup changes ensued in 1975, with Mark Lindsay departing the band acrimoniously after a later gig at Knott's Berry Farm. Lindsay continued his solo career, having previously landed a hit single in late 1969 with Kenny Young's "Arizona". After two final singles for Warner Bros. records in 1977, Mark turned his attentions to film scoring and commercials. He was also head of A&R (artists & repertoire) for United Artists Records in the 70s. (Mark Lindsay did rejoin the band in 1976 to capitalize on the Bicentennial, playing shows throughout the summer, but left right after.) Keith Allison departed in April 1975, to be replaced by current Raider bassist Ron Foos."[2]
Country music was the choice of former guitarist Freddy Weller, who had much success on the country charts after leaving the Raiders (Freddy's stint was 1967-1973). Revere continued to put together successful Raiders lineups with other lead singers, such as Michael Bradley, but Lindsay (and to a lesser extent producer Terry Melcher) had clearly been the creative center of the band. In a memorable event, Revere married for the second time on the 4th of July, Bicentennial Year 1976 on stage at a Raiders show ."[15]
The quintet of Paul Revere, Mark Lindsay, Drake Levin, Phil Volk and Mike Smith reunited for Dick Clark on national television in 1979 doing a medley of their biggest hits.
The punk rock and New Wave eras would see a wave of interest in the Raiders' music; "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" was covered by The Sex Pistols and Liverpool band The Farm (although The Monkees' cover version was better known than the Raiders' original), and later "Just Like Me" would be covered by The Circle Jerks, Joan Jett and Pat Benatar). David Bowie covered "Louie, Go Home" and The Who took that song and changed the title and lyrics to "Lubie, Go Home". "Hungry" was also covered by Sammy Hagar and the new waver David Edwards did a cover of "Kicks." The Flamin' Groovies tackled two Raiders songs ("Him or Me, What's it Gonna Be?" and "Ups and Downs") and The Morrells did a country-tinged arrangement of "Ups and Downs" as well. The Paisley Underground, garage rock revival, and grunge movements would all acknowledge the Raiders' influence.
Revere has continued to play shows on the oldies circuit and in Branson, Missouri with various Raiders.[1] Lindsay is semi-retired and lives in Portland, Oregon, where he hosts a radio show on a local station KLTH 106.7FM. [2] Keith Allison, who played in the Raiders from 1968 to 1975, has since gone into acting, and appeared in the film Gods and Generals.[3]
In 1997, the group's classic 1966 Midnight Ride lineup (singer Mark Lindsay, guitarist Drake Levin, bassist Phil "Fang" Volk and drummer Mike "Smitty" Smith) reunited in full costume (though without Revere himself) for a 30th anniversary performance in Portland. Smith died four years later.
in 2000 Sundazed Records released a two CD package entitled Mojo Workout that focused on the R&B and soul sounds from early in the Raiders' Columbia career.
Original bassist Phil "Fang" Volk currently tours with his own band, "Fang and the Gang." Guitarist Drake Levin also performs on occasion in the San Francisco Bay Area.
After leaving the Raiders in 1967, Jim Valley continued to perform and hone his songwriting skills in a variety of acts. In the early 1980s he was encouraged by educational professionals to use his musical talent to help inspire school kids. He is now an acclaimed and award-winning children's music artist and educator, traveling the world as an emissary of the "Rainbow Planet". Now living back in his native Pacific Northwest, Valley also continues to write and record his own albums.
On October 13, 2007 Paul Revere & the Raiders were officially inducted, along with their Manager Roger Hart, into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. In attendance were Mark Lindsay, Phil "Fang" Volk, and Roger Hart to accept their awards.
[edit] Discography w/U.S. Billboard chart peak positions
[edit] Singles- The Early Years, 1960-1964
as PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS
- Beatnik Sticks / Orbit (The Spy) (Gardena 106) 1960
- Paul Revere's Ride / Unfinished Fifth (Gardena 115) 1961
- Like, Long Hair (US #38) / Sharon (Gardena 116) 1961
- Like Charleston / Midnight Ride (Gardena 118) 1961
- All Night Long / Groovy (Gardena 124) 1961
- Like Bluegrass / Leatherneck (Gardena 127) 1962
- Shake It Up (Pt 1) / Shake It Up (Pt 2) (Gardena 131) 1962
- Tall Cool One / Road Runner (Gardena 137) 1962
- So Fine / Blues Stay Away (Jerden 807) 1963
- Louie Louie / Night Train (Sande 101) 1963
- Louie Louie (US #103) / Night Train (Columbia 42814) 1963
- Louie, Louie Go Home (US #118) / Have Love Will Travel (Columbia 43008) 1964
-
- A different version of the A-side appears on the "Midnight Ride" Lp
- Over You (US #133) / Swim (Columbia 43114) 1964
- Ooh Poo Pah Doo / Sometimes (US #131) (Columbia 43273) 1964
[edit] Singles During the Hit-Making Years, 1965-1971
- Steppin' Out (US #46) / Blue Fox (Columbia 43375) 1965
- Just Like Me (US #11) / B.F.D.R.F. Blues (Columbia 43461) 1965
-
- B-side is a non-Lp track
- Kicks (US #4) / Shake It Up (Columbia 43556) 1966
-
- B-side is a non-Lp impromptu track done in one take
- Kicks / Kicks (promo only) (Columbia 43556) 1966
- Hungry (US #6) / There She Goes (Columbia 43678) 1966
- The Great Airplane Strike (US #20) / In My Community (Columbia 43810) 1966
-
- Single version and Lp version of A-side differ slightly at the beginning and end of the track
- Good Thing (US #4) / Undecided Man (Columbia 43907) 1966
- Ups And Downs (US #22) / Leslie (Columbia 44018) 1967
- Him Or Me, What's It Gonna Be (US #5) / Legend of Paul Revere (Columbia 44094) 1967
- I Had A Dream (US #17) / Upon Your Leaving (Columbia 44207) 1967
- Io Sogno Te (aka I Had A Dream) / Little Girl (aka Little Girl In The 4th Row) (CBS) 1967
- Peace Of Mind (US #42) / Do Unto Others (US #102) (Columbia 44335) 1967
- Rain, Sleet, Snow / Brotherly Love (Columbia 44376) 1967
- Too Much Talk (US #19) / Happening '68 (Columbia 44444) 1968
-
- A longer version of the A-side appears on the "Something Happening" Lp
- Don't Take It So Hard (US #27) / Observation From Flight 285 (In 3/4 Time) (Columbia 44553) 1968
- Cinderella Sunshine (US #58) / Theme From 'It's Happening' (Columbia 44655) 1968
-
- A longer, different version of the A-side appears on the "Hard & Heavy (with Marshmallow)" Lp. Copies also exist with the B-side shown as "It's Happening" (sans theme prefix)
- Mr Sun, Mr Moon (US #18) / Without You (Columbia 44744) 1969
- Let Me (US #20) / I Don't Know (Columbia 44854) 1969
-
- A longer version of the A-side appears on the "Alias Pink Puzz" Lp
- We Gotta All Get Together (US #50) / Frankfort Side Street (Columbia 44970) 1969
as THE RAIDERS:
- Just Seventeen (US #82) / Sorceress With Blue Eyes (Columbia 45082) 1970
- Gone Movin' On (US #120) / Interlude (To Be Forgotten) (Columbia 45150) 1970
- Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) (US #1) / Terry's Tune (Columbia 45332) 1971
-
- B-side is a non-Lp instrumental
- Birds Of A Feather (US #23) / The Turkey (Columbia 45453) 1971
[edit] 1970s-forward
- Country Wine (US #51) / It's So Hard Getting Up Today (Columbia 45535) 1972
- Powder Blue Mercedes Queen (US #54) / Golden Girls Sometimes (Columbia 45601) 1972
- Song Seller (US #96) / A Simple Song (Columbia 45688) 1972
- Love Music (US #97) / Goodbye No. 9 (Columbia 45759) 1973
- (If I Had To Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It) All Over You / Seaboard Line Boogie (Columbia 45898) 1974
as PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS
- Your Love (Is the Only Love)/Gonna Have a Good Time (Columbia 10126) 1975
- The British are Coming (20th Century) 1976
- Ain't Nothin' Wrong/You're Really Saying Something (Drive) 1976
- Kicks (Live '82) (RaiderAmerica) 1982
- Jingle Bells/ (b side by Dean Torrence and Mike Love) (Primore) 1983
[edit] Albums
- Like, Long Hair (Gardena LP-G 1000) 1961
- Paul Revere and the Raiders (Sande S-1001) 1963
- Here They Come (Columbia CL-2307/CS-9107, U.S. #71) 1964
-
- Front cover features bassist Mike "Doc" Holiday. Early pressings feature Holiday's name on back cover, later pressings feature new liner notes and Holiday's replacement Phil "Fang" Volk
- Just Like Us (Columbia CL-2451/CS-9251, U.S. #5) 1965
- Midnight Ride (Columbia CL-2508/CS-9308, U.S. #9) 1966
- In the Beginning (Jerden JRL-7004) 1966
- The Spirit of '67 (Columbia CL-2595/CS-9395, U.S. #9) 1967
- Paul Revere and the Raiders Greatest Hits (Columbia KCL-2662/KCS-9462, U.S. #9) 1967
- Revolution! (Columbia CL-2721/CS-9521, U.S. #25) 1967
- A Christmas Present ... And Past (Columbia CL-2755/CS-9555, U.S. #10-special Christmas charts) 1967
- Goin' to Memphis (Columbia CL-2805/CS-9605, U.S. #61) 1968
-
- Although credited to Paul Revere & the Raiders, only Paul Revere and Mark Lindsay appear on this album
- Something Happening (Columbia CS-9665, U.S. #122) 1968
- Hard'n Heavy (With Marshmallow) (Columbia CS-9753, U.S. #51) 1969
-
- Early pressings feature black and white front cover photo, later pressings feature different photo in color
- Two All-Time Great Selling LP's (Columbia GP-12, U.S. #166) 1969
-
- Repackage of "Spirit of '67" And "Revolution" albums
- Alias Pink Puzz (Columbia CS-9905, U.S. #48) 1969
- Paul Revere and the Raiders Featuring Mark Lindsay (Harmony KH-30089) 1970
- Collage (Columbia CS-9964, U.S. #154) 1970
- Good Thing (Harmony KH-30975) 1971
- The Raiders Greatest Hits, Vol 2 (Columbia C-30386) 1971
- Indian Reservation (Columbia C-30768, U.S. #19) 1971
- Movin' On (Harmony KH-31183) 1972
- Country Wine (Columbia KC-31196) 1972
- All Time Greatest Hits (Columbia KG-31464, U.S. #143) 1972
- Special Edition Featuring Michael Bradley (Raider) 1982
- Great Raider Reunion (ERA) 1983
- Paul Revere Rides Again (Hitbound) 1983
- Generic Rock Album 1984
- Still Live 1984
- Just Like Us! (Sundazed) 1998
- Midnight Ride (Sundazed) 2000
- Mojo Workout (Sundazed) 2000
- Alias Pink Puzz (Repertoire) 2001
- Something Happening (Repertoire) 2001
- Ride to the Wall (Rhino) 2001
- Hard 'N' Heavy (Repertoire) 2003
- Ride to the Wall Vol. 2 (Rhino) 2005
- Anthology Kicks! 1963-1972 (Raven Records/AUS) 2005
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Paul Revere & The Raiders Lyrics and Biography on musicianguide.com (retrieved 30 March 2008)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rhulmann, William (April 20, 1990). "Paul Revere's 30 Year Ride". Goldmine/Krause.
- ^ Bartels, Eric (2007-03-20). A Raider rides again. Portland Tribune. Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2000). Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. Billboard Books.
- ^ Otfinoksi, Steve (1997). The Golden Age of Rock Instrumentals. Billboard Books.
- ^ a b Fricke, David (2001). "Mojo Workout".
- ^ Marsh, Dave (1993). Louie, Louie. Hyperion.
- ^ a b c d Barnes, Ken (March 1973). "Paul Revere and the Raiders". Phonograph Review.
- ^ Willwerth, James (1973). Clive: Inside the Record Business. Ballantine.
- ^ Taylor, Derek (1987). It was Twenty Years Ago Today. Fireside.
- ^ "Raiders Plan to Conquer Britain!" (June 21, 1969). Disc and Music Echo.
- ^ Kaye, Lenny (June 11, 1970). "Raiders Collage". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Volk, Phil. Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band.
- ^ Bronson, Fred, The Billboard Book of Number One Hits, Billboard Publications, Inc. 1985. ISBN 0-8230-7522-2
- ^ Woodward, Tim (February 27, 1978). "Sequel". People/Time Inc..
[edit] External links
- Official website of Paul Revere's current incarnation of the Raiders
- Ride To The Wall Paul Revere's Foundation assisting Vets
- Ride To The Wall MySpace at MySpace
- Paul Revere & the Raiders Discography at Musicmatch
- Paul Revere & The Raiders at MySpace
- Mark Lindsay's home page
- Barber & Associates' write-up on Lindsay and how he came to join Paul Revere and the Raiders
- Paul Revere and the Raiders: The Way They Were
- Michael Bradley's home page
- Phil Volk's website
- Jim Valley's website
- Jim Valley's Rainbow Planet
