Blues Image

Blues Image was an American rock band. They had a hit in 1970 with "Ride Captain Ride", which reached No. 4 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM magazine charts.

Blues Image
OriginTampa, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Years active1966 (1966)–1970 (1970)
LabelsAtco
Past members

Career

Blues Image was formed in Tampa, Florida in 1966 by singer-guitarist Mike Pinera, singer-drummer Manuel "Manny" Bertematti, singer-percussionist Joe Lala, keyboardist Emilio Garcia, and bassist Malcolm Jones.[1] They were later joined by keyboardist Frank "Skip" Konte when Emilio Garcia left the band to become a pilot.[1] Blues Image moved to Miami in 1968, where they helped form an innovative new music venue, Thee Image.[1] Blues Image became the house band at the club, which featured acts like Cream, Grateful Dead, and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

The band moved to Los Angeles and signed with Atco Records, releasing their self-titled debut album in February 1969.[1] Their second album, Open was released in April 1970 and included the single "Ride Captain Ride."[1] Written by Pinera and Konte, it featured Kent Henry on guitar solo and fills, with Pinera playing solo at the end. The album sold over one million copies, and earned a gold record from the R.I.A.A. in August 1970.[2] It was Blues Image's only charting hit.

Pinera left the band to join Iron Butterfly in the fall of 1969, during the recording of Open,[1] and was replaced by singer Denny Correll and guitarist Kent Henry. The band broke up after the release of their third album, Red White & Blues Image, in May 1970.[1]

The various members of Blues Image went on to become parts of other rock bands. Bertematti later played and recorded with New Cactus Band and toured with Iron Butterfly, Chi Coltrane, and Bobby Womack.[1] Pinera also played with Iron Butterfly, New Cactus Band, Ramatam, and Alice Cooper. Konte joined Three Dog Night, and Lala played with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.[1] Lala's percussion work also figures prominently on the Stephen Stills/Chris Hillman led group, Manassas.[1] Henry played lead guitar with Steppenwolf prior to their break-up in 1972.

Correll later recorded a series of successful contemporary Christian music (CCM) albums, helped expand the genre's commercial appeal, and achieved airplay with several singles on CCM radio during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He died in 2002. Gary Dunham, who also toured with the last incarnation of Blues Image, also became a solo CCM artist.

Pinera has released several solo albums, including In the Garden of Eden.

Joe Lala died of complications from lung cancer on March 18, 2014, at the age of 66.[3]

The group can briefly be seen performing "Ride Captain Ride" in the 1971 film, Dusty and Sweets McGee.

Personnel
  • Manuel "Manny" Bertematti - drums, vocals (1966-1970)
  • Joe Lala - percussion, vocals (1966-1970; died 2014)
  • Malcolm Jones - bass (1966-1970)
  • Mike Pinera - guitar, vocals (1966-1970)
  • Emilio Garcia - keyboards (1966-1967)
  • Frank "Skip" Konte - keyboards (1967-1970)
  • Denny Correll - vocals (1970; died 2002)
  • Kent Henry - guitar (1970; died 2009)
  • Michael Franklin
  • Tim Franklin
  • Bill Britton - guitar (1967; left band 1969)

Discography

Albums
Year Album US Top 200
1969 Blues Image 112
1970 Open 147
Red White & Blues Image —

Compilation albums
Year Album
2005 Rhino Hi-Five : Blues Image

Singles
Year Name US Hot 100 Australia[4] Canada
1969 "Lay Your Sweet Love on Me" — — —
1970 "Ride Captain Ride" 4 23 4
"Gas Lamps and Clay" 81 58 88
1971 "Rise Up" — — —

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 280. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 274. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  3. Meacham, Andrew (March 19, 2014). "Legendary Tampa percussionist Joe Lala dies at 66". Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 39. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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