Musician, Songwriter and Producer. He will be remembered for cofounding the 1960s music ensemble The Electric Flag. Born to parents of Greek descent, he attended the University of Chicago where he met fellow musician Paul Butterfield. The pair performed in local Chicago clubs before relocating to San Francisco where they became a part of the music scene. After Butterfield formed his blues band, Gravenites penned their hit song Born in Chicago (1965). In 1967, he formed The Electric Flag along with Mike Bloomfield and Barry Goldberg. They recorded the musical score for the motion picture The Trip and in June 1967, they performed at the Monterey Pop Festival. They enjoyed commercial success with the album A Long Time Comin' (1968) which achieved a number 30 placing on the American Billboard Charts. Their album An American Music Band (1968) featured Gravenites as lead vocalist on several tracks. After the group disbanded, he replaced Janis Joplin as lead vocalist in Big Brother and the Holding Company. In 1970, he produced the Brewer & Shipley single One Toke Over the Line which achieved a top 10 placing on the American Billboard Charts. In addition, he produced the Otis Rush album Right Place, Wrong Time. During the 1980s, he formed a duo with former Quicksilver Messenger Service frontman John Cipollina which resulted in a pair of recorded albums. He joined a newer lineup of The Electric Flag during the 2000s and continued to perform and record just prior to his death.
Musician, Songwriter and Producer. He will be remembered for cofounding the 1960s music ensemble The Electric Flag. Born to parents of Greek descent, he attended the University of Chicago where he met fellow musician Paul Butterfield. The pair performed in local Chicago clubs before relocating to San Francisco where they became a part of the music scene. After Butterfield formed his blues band, Gravenites penned their hit song Born in Chicago (1965). In 1967, he formed The Electric Flag along with Mike Bloomfield and Barry Goldberg. They recorded the musical score for the motion picture The Trip and in June 1967, they performed at the Monterey Pop Festival. They enjoyed commercial success with the album A Long Time Comin' (1968) which achieved a number 30 placing on the American Billboard Charts. Their album An American Music Band (1968) featured Gravenites as lead vocalist on several tracks. After the group disbanded, he replaced Janis Joplin as lead vocalist in Big Brother and the Holding Company. In 1970, he produced the Brewer & Shipley single One Toke Over the Line which achieved a top 10 placing on the American Billboard Charts. In addition, he produced the Otis Rush album Right Place, Wrong Time. During the 1980s, he formed a duo with former Quicksilver Messenger Service frontman John Cipollina which resulted in a pair of recorded albums. He joined a newer lineup of The Electric Flag during the 2000s and continued to perform and record just prior to his death.
Bio by: C.S.
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