Firefall
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- This article is about the band. For the nightly event in Yosemite National Park, see Yosemite Firefall.
Firefall was a rock band that formed in Boulder, Colorado in 1975. It was founded by Rick Roberts, who had been in the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Jock Bartley, who had been Tommy Bolin's replacement in Zephyr. The band's biggest hit single, "You Are the Woman", peaked at #9 on the Billboard charts. Other hits include "Just Remember I Love You" (#11 in 1977), "Strange Way" (#11 in 1978), and "Staying with It" from 1981, with female vocalist Lisa Nemzo.
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[edit] Members
- Rick Roberts on vocals
- Larry Burnett on guitar
- Jock Bartley on guitar
- Mark Andes on bass guitar
- Mike Clarke on drums
- David Muse on keyboards, beginning in 1977.
[edit] History
[edit] Beginnings
In the early '70s, Rick Roberts and Jock Bartley first met while Bartley was on tour with Gram Parsons as a member of his backing band The Fallen Angels. Both The Fallen Angels and Roberts were performing in New York City at the same venue on back to back nights. Roberts was impressed by Bartley lead and slide guitar work. The duo soon began practicing and even performing together. Encouraged by their peers to form a band together, they contacted bassist-singer Mark Andes (who had gone into semi-retirement in the mountains outside of Boulder, Colorado and singer-songwriter-guitarist Larry Burnett and coaxed them into joining their band, which they christened Firefall.
Although the band already had a vast repertoire of songs to play they still required a drummer. They auditioned several local and played a few shows, they still required a drummer with more experience. Roberts chose his former bandmate from the Flying Burrito Brothers, Michael Clarke, who was most famous for his time spent in the 60s folk-rock band the Byrds. Clarke was literally hired over the phone.
The band performed in clubs in Colorado for over a year, mainly in Boulder and Aspen. In early 1975, the band recorded a demo tape consisting of 3 songs, produced by Chris Hillman. They then began shopping it around to major labels, which did not meet with any immediate success.
[edit] Breakthrough & Success
In 1976 Bartley, Andes and Roberts were brought in by Chris Hillman to be part of his backup band while he was on tour. Before the band’s scheduled performance at The Other End in New York, Hillman took ill and was unable to complete the tour. Burnett and Clarke were then flown in to complete the tour. Atlantic A&R representatives (who had already heard the band’s demo tape), saw the show and quickly signed the band to a multi-album contract. They’re first album was scheduled to begin recording in the winter.
The band then decided that they wanted to add a more exotic sound to their music, so they brought in Roberts’ high school friend David Muse. Muse was a multi-instrumentalist who played the saxophone, flute, harmonica and keyboards. Jim Mason, who had worked with Poco in the past, was brought in as their producer. With their lineup complete, the band went into rehearsals in Boulder.
The album was recorded in one month at Criteria Studios. The resulting album, the self-titled Firefall became Atlantic Records quickest album to reach gold status. The groups first single "Livin’ Aint’ Livin’" managed reached the top 40. Within the ensuing months the band toured with Leon and Mary Russell, the Doobie Brothers and the Band.
The band’s next single "You Are the Woman", catapulted into the top 10. To add to their exposure, they began touring with Fleetwood Mac, who were at the beginning of their most successful days. Their next single, though played extensively on FM radio, did not fair well on AM radio due to its controversial lyrics being boycotted by feminist groups. This did not however, have a lasting affect on the band’s sales.
The group then headed back to Criteria Studios to record their second album, which was to be titled Tropical Nights. They were joined by percussionist and occasional touring member Joe Lala and the Memphis Horns. But after hearing the final mix, the band received a note from Atlantic CEO saying that the album needed to be reworked, but that the band had plenty of time to do it. The band then went on tour, reworked several songs and added some new ones. The album was re-recorded and renamed Luna Sea. The album peaked at 27 on the charts and went gold less than two months after release. The single from the album "Just Remember I Love You", featuring backing vocals by future Eagle Timothy B. Schmit, reached the top 10.
It was around this time that tensions were beginning to rise within the group, stemming from non-stop touring and managements problems, not to mention frequent alcohol and drug abuse. Though at this time the group was also incredibly popular, playing to sold-out with Fleetwood Mac as part of their Rumours tour.
In 1978, the band brought in producer Tom Dowd, who had worked the Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton, to produce their third album Elan, recording some at Criteria and some at L.A.’s Record Plant. The band and Dowd got along well, they had conflicting musical visions. The differences were apparently noticeable enough that the band’s new management pressured the record label into letting the band rework the album. The album put the band in-debt with the label, and within the year they parted ways with their new management. The production team of Ron and Howard Albert were brought in to finish the album. Luckily for the band Elan was a massive success, and it became their first album to reach platinum status. The singles "Goodbye, I Love You" and "Sweet and Sour" were released within a few months and continued the band’s commercial hot streak.
[edit] Decline
After two years of non-stop recording and touring (not to mention heavy drug and alcohol abuse), the band had seemed to be burnt out. Several band members were not on speaking terms with each other, and their financial situation was less than perfect.
Despite this, Atlantic records still expected a new album. The band recorded the album sporadically over a year. The Alberts were again brought in to produce the album, but the band once again required a second effort, which was produced by Kyle Lehning. The resulting album, entitled Undertow, was released in 1979. This would be the last album with the original lineup. After finishing the Japanese leg of the tour, Michael Clarke and Mark Andes left the band.
They were replaced with Kenny Loggins former rhythm section, consisting of bassist George Hawkins and drummer Tris Imboden. With them they recorded Clouds Across the Sun, which was released in 1981. After only a few television appearances, Hawkins resigned from the group. He was replaced with Kim Stone. Everything seemed to be on track until Larry Burnett resigned from the group, citing ill health as his reason. Months later, Rick Roberts announced that he also was leaving the group. With the band lacking personnel and increasing financial debt, Atlantic records dropped Firefall from their roster.
[edit] Reformation and Later Work
Upset with the way things ended, Jock Bartley decided to reform the band. Bartley only used new musicians, although Roberts and Muse have returned on and off several times, though not permanently. Since the reformation, the band hasn’t met with the same amount of success, but have continued to tour and record frequently. The Current lineup consists of Bartley, keyboard player Chris Ball, guitarist/singer Steven Weinmeister, bassist Bill Hopkins and drummer Sandy Ficca.
[edit] Discography
- Firefall (1976)
- Luna Sea (1977)
- Elan (1978)
- Undertow (1979)
- Clouds Across the Sun (1980)
- Break of Dawn (1982)
- Mirror of the World (1983)
- Messenger (1994)
