ABOUT
The Youngbloods were a critically acclaimed folk rock band that became famous during the late 1960s. They are best known for the era-defining anthem of universal brotherhood, "Get Together" (1967, 1969).
Formed in 1965, the original lineup consisted of Jesse Colin Young (vocals, bass), Lowell "Banana" Levinger (guitar, electric piano), guitarist Jerry Corbitt (January 7, 1943 - March 8, 2014), and jazz drummer Joe Bauer (September 26, 1941 - ca. 1982). Prior to forming The Youngbloods, Young began as a solo artist performing on the folk circuits in New York and Boston and had released two albums. By 1966, The Youngbloods had landed a long-term gig at New York City's Cafe A-Go-Go and were signed to RCA Victor. The band released its eponymous debut album in 1967 (retitled "Get Together" in 1971) followed by "Earth Music" (1967) and "Elephant Mountain" (1969), the latter recording produced by famed Southern rocker, Charlie Daniels. The Youngbloods had several personnel changes beginning in 1969 with the departure of Corbitt who went solo, and the band continued to perform and record through 1972.
The Youngbloods debuted on the Pop/Rock charts in 1966 with the ragtime-inspired "Grizzly Bear," followed soon after by the band's original release in 1967 of the Chet Powers-penned "Get Together," which became a minor hit. After this song was promoted on radio and featured in TV ads for the National Conference of Christians and Jews, it resurfaced on the charts during the summer of 1969, reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and went gold. The band's later hits, which continued through 1971, included the aching Young-penned "Darkness Darkness" (1970) and the humorous Levinger-penned "Hippie From Olema" (1970, an answer song to Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee").
After The Youngbloods disbanded in 1972, Young, Levinger, and Bauer all went solo, and Bauer and Levinger also formed the short-lived group, Noggins. Beginning in 1971, Corbitt toured with Charlie Daniels as a duo billed as Corbitt & Daniels. The Youngbloods reunited in 1984 for a club tour lasting through 1985 with three original members - Young, Corbitt, and Levinger - plus new members David Perper (drums) and Scott Lawrence (keyboards, woodwinds).
LINKS
- For more info about Youngbloods frontman Jesse Colin Young, visit jessecolinyoung.com.
- For more info about Youngbloods guitarist Jerry Corbitt, visit jerrycorbitt.com.
- VVN Music remembers Jerry Corbitt of The Youngbloods.
MERCHANDISE
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- The Youngbloods - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- The Youngbloods - Digital music - Amazon.com
- The Youngbloods - Rare vinyl, CDs, & more - MusicStack.com
SONGS
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The Youngbloods
- Get Together 1967
(This song was previously a hit for We Five (1965) and later recharted for the Youngbloods (1969).)
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