Frijid Pink
Encyclopedia
Frijid Pink is a Detroit area blues rock band
formed in 1967, best known for their version of "House of the Rising Sun," released in 1969.
The initial line-up of the band included drummer
Richard Stevers, guitarist
Gary Ray Thompson, bassist
Tom Harris, lead singer Tom Beaudry (aka:Kelly Green), and later added Larry Zelanka as off-staff keyboardist
.
/Detroit area and eventually signed with Parrot Records
. Their first two singles
, "Tell Me Why" and "Drivin' Blues" (both released in 1969) failed to attract much attention, but their third 1969 effort, a distorted guitar-driven rendition of "House of the Rising Sun," reached the Top Ten on the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100
in winter 1970. This disc
sold over one million copies, thereby receiving a gold disc
. The track also peaked at #4 in the UK Singles Chart
. The song was a "filler," using up time at the end of a recording session. The band was so popular in their native Detroit area that a fledgling Led Zeppelin
(who were just then getting started from the remnants of The Yardbirds
) opened for them at Detroit's Grande Ballroom
. Frijid Pink often shared billing with the likes of the MC5
, The Stooges
, The Amboy Dukes
and others.
Frijid Pink's self-titled debut LP followed in 1970, as did their second release Defrosted. Most of the album's writing was provided by duo of Beaudry and Thompson. Subsequent singles including "Sing A Song For Freedom" and a cover
of "Heartbreak Hotel
" failed to match earlier successes, and after the disappearance of Beaudry and Thompson, a new lineup was formed featuring the late Jon Wearing on vocals, Craig Webb on guitar, and Larry Zelanka on keyboards. This version of the group recorded 1972's Earth Omen. The group would have another lineup in place before re-entering the studio to record 1975's All Pink Inside with Jo Baker on vocals and Larry Popolizio playing the bass. Jon Wearing died of unknown causes on January 4, 2009.
In 1981 Stevers and Harris joined forces with Arlen Viecelli, lead singer/guitarist of Salem Witchcraft, and Ray Gunn, guitarist of Virgin Dawn, to record an album at Sound Suite studio in Detroit. The music was written by Viecelli and Gunn and was set to be released in the summer of 1982. However, during failed negotiation attempts with numerous record companies by the group's manager (the aforementioned Clyde Stevers), the group disbanded and the material was never released.
Another version of the band (featuring no past members) formed in 2001. They recorded one album, Inner Heat, which was set for release in 2002, but was pulled by the record label, Dynasty Records. In 2005 another lineup formed featuring most of the original members; drummer Stevers had succeeded in getting bassist Tom Harris and vocalist Tom Beaudry together with guitarist Steve Dansby (from a late 1970s line-up of Cactus
) and keyboardist Larin Michaels.
In late 2006, after a failed attempt to once again reunite the original members, Stevers began auditioning other musicians for the reformation of Frijid Pink. This new lineup has recorded an album which was released in March 2011 on the Repertoire label, and is available in the U.S. as an import. The album is a mix of re-recorded older songs and new original music.
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
formed in 1967, best known for their version of "House of the Rising Sun," released in 1969.
The initial line-up of the band included drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Richard Stevers, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Gary Ray Thompson, bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Tom Harris, lead singer Tom Beaudry (aka:Kelly Green), and later added Larry Zelanka as off-staff keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
.
Career
Frijid Pink was formed when members of the Detroit Vibrations Stevers and Harris were joined by guitarist Gary Ray Thompson, (who convinced Vibrations' manager Clyde Stevers (Richard's father) that he was a better candidate for a guitarist), and singer Tom Beaudry, who later took the stage name Kelly Green. They spent their first two years touring throughout the Southeast MichiganSoutheast Michigan
Southeast Michigan, also called Southeastern Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that is home to a majority of the state's businesses and industries as well as slightly over half of the state's population, most of whom are concentrated in Metro...
/Detroit area and eventually signed with Parrot Records
Parrot Records
Parrot Records was a division of London Records in the United States which started in 1964. Notable artists whose records were released by Parrot included: The Zombies, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Them featuring Van Morrison, Jonathan King, Hedgehoppers Anonymous, Lulu, Bobby "Boris"...
. Their first two singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Tell Me Why" and "Drivin' Blues" (both released in 1969) failed to attract much attention, but their third 1969 effort, a distorted guitar-driven rendition of "House of the Rising Sun," reached the Top Ten on the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in winter 1970. This disc
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
sold over one million copies, thereby receiving a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. The track also peaked at #4 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The song was a "filler," using up time at the end of a recording session. The band was so popular in their native Detroit area that a fledgling Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
(who were just then getting started from the remnants of The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
) opened for them at Detroit's Grande Ballroom
Grande Ballroom
The Grande Ballroom is a historic live music venue located at 8952 Grand River Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. The building was designed by Detroit engineer and architect Charles N. Agree in 1928 and originally served as a multi-purpose building, hosting retail business on the first floor and a large...
. Frijid Pink often shared billing with the likes of the MC5
MC5
The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
, The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
, The Amboy Dukes
The Amboy Dukes
The Amboy Dukes were an American rock music band of the late 1960s and early 1970s from Detroit, Michigan, best remembered for their hit single "Journey to the Center of the Mind", and for launching the career of Ted Nugent...
and others.
Frijid Pink's self-titled debut LP followed in 1970, as did their second release Defrosted. Most of the album's writing was provided by duo of Beaudry and Thompson. Subsequent singles including "Sing A Song For Freedom" and a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Heartbreak Hotel
Heartbreak Hotel
"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by American rock and roll musician Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. His first number-one pop record, "Heartbreak Hotel" topped Billboards Top 100 chart, became his first...
" failed to match earlier successes, and after the disappearance of Beaudry and Thompson, a new lineup was formed featuring the late Jon Wearing on vocals, Craig Webb on guitar, and Larry Zelanka on keyboards. This version of the group recorded 1972's Earth Omen. The group would have another lineup in place before re-entering the studio to record 1975's All Pink Inside with Jo Baker on vocals and Larry Popolizio playing the bass. Jon Wearing died of unknown causes on January 4, 2009.
In 1981 Stevers and Harris joined forces with Arlen Viecelli, lead singer/guitarist of Salem Witchcraft, and Ray Gunn, guitarist of Virgin Dawn, to record an album at Sound Suite studio in Detroit. The music was written by Viecelli and Gunn and was set to be released in the summer of 1982. However, during failed negotiation attempts with numerous record companies by the group's manager (the aforementioned Clyde Stevers), the group disbanded and the material was never released.
Another version of the band (featuring no past members) formed in 2001. They recorded one album, Inner Heat, which was set for release in 2002, but was pulled by the record label, Dynasty Records. In 2005 another lineup formed featuring most of the original members; drummer Stevers had succeeded in getting bassist Tom Harris and vocalist Tom Beaudry together with guitarist Steve Dansby (from a late 1970s line-up of Cactus
Cactus (band)
Cactus is an American hard rock supergroup, formed in 1970.-Biography:Cactus was initially conceived as early as late 1969 by the Vanilla Fudge rhythm section of bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice with guitarist Jeff Beck and Xylophone player Adele Smitchell acted as the counterpart and...
) and keyboardist Larin Michaels.
In late 2006, after a failed attempt to once again reunite the original members, Stevers began auditioning other musicians for the reformation of Frijid Pink. This new lineup has recorded an album which was released in March 2011 on the Repertoire label, and is available in the U.S. as an import. The album is a mix of re-recorded older songs and new original music.
Singles
- "Tell Me Why" / "Cryin' Shame" (Parrot 334) 1969
- "Drivin' Blues" / "God Gave Me You" (Parrot 340) 1969
- "House of the Rising Sun" / "Drivin' Blues" (Parrot 341) 1969; #7 on Billboard Hot 100 (February 1970), #3 in Canada, #1 in Germany, #4 in UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
- "House Of The Rising Sun" / "Drivin' Blues" (Deram 17044); 1970, France
- "House Of The Rising Sun" / "Crying Shame" (EPDM 1014); 1970, Portugal
- "Sing A Song For Freedom" / "End Of The Line" (Parrot 349) 1970, #55 on Billboard Hot 100 (July), #22 in Canada
- "Sing A Song For Freedom" / "End Of The Line" (DM 309); 1970, France
- "Heartbreak HotelHeartbreak Hotel"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by American rock and roll musician Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. His first number-one pop record, "Heartbreak Hotel" topped Billboards Top 100 chart, became his first...
" / "Bye Bye Blues" (Parrot 352) 1970, #72 on Billboard Hot 100 (December), #38 in Canada - "Heartbreak Hotel" / "Bye Bye Blues" (SDM 117); 1971, Portugal
- "Music For The People" / "Sloony" (Parrot 355) 1971
- "We're Gonna Be There" / "Shortly Kline" (Parrot 358) 1971
- "We're Gonna Be There" / "Shortly Kline" (DM 336) 1971 France
- "I Love Her" / "Lost Son" (Parrot 360) 1972
- "Earth Omen" / "Lazy Day" (Lion 115) 1972
- "Go Now" / "Lazy Day" (Lion 136) 1972
- "Rainbow Rider" / "Earth Omen" (MGM 2006130); 1973, Germany
- "Big Betty" / "Shady Lady" (Lion 158) 1973
Albums
- Frijid PinkFrijid Pink (album)Frijid Pink is the debut album by American rock band Frijid Pink. It was originally released early 1970 by London Records' now-defunct Parrot subsidiary label Frijid Pink is the debut album by American rock band Frijid Pink. It was originally released early 1970 by London Records' now-defunct...
(Parrot 71033) 1970 #11 in U.S. - Frijid Pink (Deram SML-R 1062); 1970; France, UK
- DefrostedDefrosted (album)Defrosted is the second album by American rock band Frijid Pink. Released in the summer of 1970, the album is more blues-based hard rock than its predecessor, yet still contains the characteristic fuzz guitar sound featured prominently on the group's first album, Frijid Pink...
(Parrot 71041) 1970 #149 in U.S. - Defrosted (Deram SML-R 1077); 1970; France, UK
- Earth OmenEarth Omen (album)Earth Omen is the third album by American rock band Frijid Pink, and was released in 1972. On this album, Frijid Pink, recently abandoned by their original singer and guitarist, shed their blues-based rock sound and picked up a more progressive rock sound with added psychedelia to top the album...
(Lion LN-1004) 1972 - All Pink InsideAll Pink InsideAll Pink Inside is Frijid Pink's fourth album, released in 1975. The album features long-time original drummer, Richard "Rick" Stevers, along with new members Jo Baker and bassist Larry Popolizio. This time, Frijid Pink is back to their blues rock roots without the added heavy psychedelia heard on...
(Fantasy 9464) 1975 - Inner HeatInner HeatInner Heat was an album recorded in 2001 by what was ostensibly the rock group Frijid Pink. The album was set for release when it was pulled by the label, Dynasty Records. No original or past Frijid Pink members appear on the recording, nor were there any original or past members in the band at...
(Dynasty) 2002 (unreleased)
Compilations
- The Beginning Vol. 5The Beginning Vol. 5The Beginning Vol. 5 is the first and only single disc compilation released by Frijid Pink in 1973. This disc contains five songs from their first and second albums, Frijid Pink and Defrosted...
(Deram) 1973. German compilationCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
; rare import - Hibernated (2002) 3-CD Box Set that includes first three albums plus non-album singles