BLUE ASH was formed in 1969 by Frank Secich (bass guitar), Jim Kendzor (vocals), Bill "Goog" Yendrek (lead guitar) and David Evans (drums). The band debuted at "The Freak Out" in Youngstown, Ohio on October 3, 1969. Determined to go against the then omnipresent long guitar solo jam bands, Blue Ash would forge a style in the manner of their own teen-aged years heroes: Beatles, Who, Kinks, Byrds, Beau Brummels, Hollies, Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, and many others mixed in from the mid-60's.
Coupled with a wild stage-show and the management of Geoffrey Jones, Blue Ash soon became very popular on the teen-dance and club circuit of PA, NY, Ohio and W.VA. In October of 1970, guitarist Bill Yendrek was replaced by Bill Bartolin.
For the next few years Blue Ash played a hectic 200-250 dates a year throughout the region, while the songwriting team of Frank Secich and Bill Bartolin were busy stockpiling songs. In 1972, they were offered a recording contract with Mercury Records. Their debut lp "No More, No Less" (1973) received rhapsodic reviews in the rock press.
Blue Ash along with Big Star and Raspberries became critical darlings of a new sound later to be called "power pop". With not enough sales or FM airplay came the death knell to the first wave of 70's power pop bands.
Blue Ash continued on and in 1977 released a 2nd lp on Playboy Records. In 1979 the band broke up. In the ensuing years Blue Ash developed a world-wide cult following with many groups recording their songs: Records, Finkers, Michael Monroe to name a few. Over the years there was rumoured to be tons of unreleased Blue Ash material. In 2004, Not Lame Records released a 2CD set of it with 44 songs called "Around Again". Blue Ash is now reformed (but not too reformed) and play out occasionally. The band consists of all 4 original members plus 2nd drummer Jeff Rozniata, Bob Darke (bass) and Brian Wingrove (piano, vocals).
For more about Blue Ash go to:
www.BlueAshMusic.com
and....
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/BlueAsh/ |
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