Song:Summertime Blues
Album:Good Times Are So Hard To Find: The History of Blue Cheer
Blue Cheer were hard rock pioneers. They built the bridge from garage band psychedelia to what would become heavy metal. Summertime Blues was their only big hit. Blue Cheer were from San Francisco led by bassist and lead singer Dickie Peterson along with guitarist Leigh Stephens and drummer Eric Albronda. The band was named after a popular variety of LSD. Albronda became their manager and was replaced by Paul Whaley. They added a few members for a while but then cut back to the original trio. Blue Cheer signed with Philips Records and their debut album Vincebus Eruptum was released in 1968. Their cover of the classic Summertime Blues reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. It would turn out to be Blue Cheer's only big hit. This original lineup recorded one more album and then Stephens was replaced by Randy Holden. The band membership soon became a revolving door and that hurt Blue Cheer's music and they split up on 1972. They first reformed in 1978 and then split up in 1980. But they reformed more permanently in 1999 and would continue to tour until Dickie Peterson died of cancer in 2009. This budget CD should give you a clear picture of Blue Cheer. Today Blue Cheer are hailed as hard rock pioneers. Here's Blue Cheer performing Summertime Blues on the German TV show Beat Club 1968.
I never they were hard rock pioneers. I have heard their one hit "Summer Time Blues" and it's good. I do not think I have heard any of their other music. I may have to check them out a bit more. Interesting bit of music history there Frank. Thank-you so much.
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