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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZJO JO GUNNEUS rock band formed in LA by ex-Spirit members vocalist Jay Ferguson, bassist Mark Andes; they left Randy California's ever more left-field musical ideas to form straight-ahead good-time band, recruiting Matthew Andes on guitar (Mark's brother) and Curly Smith on drums (b 31 Jan. '52, Wolf Point MT). Among first signings to David Geffen's Asylum label, named after the Chuck Berry song; photogenic appearance with catchy songs from Mark and Ferguson led to quick success (perhaps too quick): boogie rocker 'Run Run Run' with rolling piano from Ferguson made no. 27 USA/6 UK '72; with entertaining LP Jo Jo Gunne that year was a promising start, but things went downhill fast: Mark went solo, replaced by Jimmie Randell (b 14 Feb. '49, Dallas) for Bite Down Hard and Jumpin' The Gunne '73, and sales slumped. Matt followed his brother, replaced by Starr Donaldson, then John Staehely (b 25 Jan. '52; Austin; yet another ex-Spirit), but band self- destructed after So ... Where's The Show? '74. Andes brothers returned to Spirit; Ferguson cut several solo LPs (with help from Joe Walsh): second Thunder Island '78 charted, helped by title track (top ten single); Real Life Ain't This Way '79 also made top 100 LPs; 'Shakedown Cruise' made no. 31 singles chart; switched to Capitol from Asylum for White Noise '82, last LP chart entry at no. 178. Mark Andes found success with Firefall, later Heart. |