1968: Zephyr

 Feb, 17 - 2014   no comments   1960s Music


pic_zephyr_barnZephyr was a blues-based hard rock band formed in 1969 in Boulder, Colorado by guitarist Tommy Bolin, keyboardist John Faris, David Givens on bass guitar, Robbie Chamberlin on drums and Candy Givens on vocals. Although the charismatic performances by Candy Givens were originally the focal point for the band, it was the flashy guitar work of Tommy Bolin that the band is best remembered for. After Bolin left, he was replaced by Jock Bartley, and the band recorded the album Sunset Ride, their second for Warner Brothers Records. The album is still in print and is much loved by a small but loyal following. On Sunset Ride, Candy Givens displayed her gifts as a singer, composer, and harmonica player. The album was produced by David Givens who also authored the majority of the tunes. As a result of his stint with Zephyr, Bartley went on to a successful career with Gram Parsons and Firefall and drummer, Michael Wooten, went on to play for several years with Carole King. Various versions of Zephyr continued to play in Colorado until Candy’s death in 1984. The release of “Heartbeat” in 1982 was promoted by a video that incorporated very early examples of analog computer animation combined with live action.

Other Zephyr members of note include trance blues maven, Otis Taylor, who played bass during the mid-1970s,Kenny Wilkins (Drums) and also later on as (guitarist), guitarist Zack Smith (founder of Columbia Records band Scandal), and blues guitarist, Eddie Turner, who played guitar in the last incarnation during the early 1980s. Candie and David, Tommy, and John Faris were all founding members of The Legendary 4Nikators, Boulder’s oldest and best loved party band. Taylor and Turner were later additions to The Legendary 4Nikators – Taylor noted for playing motorcycle on stage during “Leader Of The Pack” and performing in a kilt and Turner for his renditions of Jimi Hendrix classics.

40 years after, Zephyr’s music is still in print and continues to be played in the various media. YouTube has brought new eyes and ears to the band.

  • Hard rock
  • blues-rock
  • jazz fusion
  • Pop/Rock
  • Psychedelic
  • Garage
  • Blues-Rock
  • Album Rock
  • Boulder, Colorado
  • 1968–1972
  • 1982
  • (Reunion: 1973)

Zephyr

  • Candy Givens: lead vocals, harmonica
  • David Givens: bass, vocals
  • Tommy Bolin: lead guitar, vocals
  • John Faris: keyboards, flute, vocals
  • Robbie Chamberlin: drums, vocals
  • Kevin McPherson
  • Bobby Berge
  • Dan Smyth
  • Jock Bartley

Cover of "Going Back to Colorado"

  • Zephyr (1969)
  • Going Back to Colorado (1971)
  • Sunset Ride (1972)
  • Zephyr Live (1997)
  • Zephyr (2002) compilation
  • Zephyr Heartbeat (1982)

Take My Love (1971) 

See My People Come Together 

Night Fades Softly 

Texas/Colorado Live footage 

Sail On (1969)

Boom Ba Boom / Somebody Listen (1969)

Tommy Bolin with Zephyr Cross the River 

Heartbeat / Don’t come back Video 

Zephyr promotional film 

  • ABC Records
  • BGO Records
  • One Way Records
  • James Gang
  • Deep Purple
  1. http://www.allmusic.com/album/zephyr-mw0000315143
  2. http://www.tbolin.com/history/zephyr.html
  3. http://www.discogs.com/artist/641152-Zephyr-2
  4. David Givens – Zephyr: A Volcano of Dreams by Allan Vorda
  5. Zephyr: Live at Art’s Bar & Grill by Jim Sheridan
  6. A Brief History of the Band by David Givens
  7. Zephyr in Perspective by Paul Epstein
  8. A Magic Time by Bobby Berge
  9. Candy Givens by David Givens
  10. Tommy, Zephyr, and I by John Tesar, Bolin Lyricist
  11. Tommy Bolin by David Givens
  12. Bobby Berge on the Rampant Zone (Bobby’s web site)


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