Kal David
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Kal David (born David Raskin; Chicago, Illinois) is an American blues musician famous for his work as a guitarist, singer and songwriter with some of the world's preeminent blues musicians as well as for his work in the early 1970s on Columbia Records.
Kal David's recording career began in his teenage years as front man of his local band, Kal David and the Exceptions, of whom Peter Cetera was a member. It was then that he signed a contract with King Records, later signing to the blues and rock Chicago label, Vee-Jay Records. During his stint at Vee-Jay, Kal formed a new duet, The Rovin' Kind, with guitarist Paul Cotton. The two soon moved to Dunwich Records. Following a name change to Illinois Speed Press and a move to Los Angeles, the duo recorded two critically acclaimed albums for Columbia Records, the self-titled Illinois Speed Press and Duet.
After Cotton went on to become the lead guitarist for Poco, Kal moved to Woodstock, New York. His new group, The Fabulous Rhinestones featuring ex-Electric Flag bassist Harvey Brooks, led to three more critically acclaimed albums: Fabulous Rhinestones, Freewheelin' (on Paramount Records) and Rhinestones (on 20th Century Records).
Kal would also meet future wife, vocalist Lauri Bono at a Woodstock club, which he visited on the advice of friends. Bono would later accompany him back to Los Angeles for the next phase of his career.
Their return to Los Angeles led to Kal and Lauri's sidework for Etta James and Johnny Rivers. In the early eighties Kal played lead guitar for John Mayall on an album which would be released a decade later.
Worldwide recognition soon followed with the creation of their own band, showcasing Kal's abilities as a performer. Two albums for SoulCoast Records, Never a Dull Moment and Double Tuff each met with more critical acclaim and strong worldwide record sales coupled with numerous television appearances, including a one-hour special featuring Kal in Germany.
That new band, the Kal David Band, headed up the weekly Pro-Jam at Hollywood's China Club. This event drew such rock and soul greats as Stevie Wonder, Bobby Brown, John Entwistle, Larry Carlton, Brian Wilson, Stephen Stills, Joe Walsh and Paul Young. Blues legends Sam Taylor and Floyd Dixon were regulars as well.
The early 1990s saw Kal and Lauri's move to Palm Springs, California and the formation of yet another band, Kal David and the Real Deal. This group featured both Kal and Lauri on vocals along with former Chaka Khan musical director Tony Patler on Hammond B-3 organ and drummer Alan Diaz, formerly with Sergio Mendes. Kal even tried his hand at local radio, hosting the late night "Blue Monday" blues show on Palm Springs soft rock station KEZN. The weekly, two-hour show featured classic blues recordings from his extensive private collection.
On July 14, 1998, the couple opened the Blue Guitar blues club above the Plaza Theater, of one of downtown Palm Springs' most historic buildings. In order to concentrate more on their touring, Kal and Lauri closed the Blue Guitar in late 2004.
Kal David and Lauri Bono continue to tour and frequently play to sold-out audiences at such venues as B.B. King's Blues Club in Los Angeles and the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Connecticut.
Kal David is the voice of Sonny Eclipse, a singing alien audio-animatronic, who resides at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. He did another performance for Disney World at Epcot, where he performed the "Unhealthy Living Blues" for the Goofy About Health exhibit at the Wonders of Life pavilion.
