Joel Larson

Joel Larson

Joel Larson circa 1972
Background information
Born April 29, 1947 (1947-04-29) (age 64)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres Folk, rock, pop
Instruments Drums, percussion
Years active 1965–present
Labels Dunhill, ABC, Columbia, A&M, Haven
Associated acts The Grass Roots, Gene Clark Group, The Turtles, The Merry-Go-Round, Lee Michaels
Website joel-larson.com

Joel Larson is a rock drummer and percussionist from California. He was born on April 29, 1947 at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco. He lived near Lincoln Park until he was 12 years old. He took up drumming at the age of 12 and moved near Avalon Park until he was 17. During these five years he honed his skills in the rock music scene of the early sixties. His destiny was to become one of The Grass Roots.

In 1965, Larson joined a band called The Bedouins and helped them win a Battle of the Bands in San Mateo. Word began to spread about the band. In early 1966, they were asked to come to an audition at the San Francisco Whisky A Go Go. They performed for Lou Adler who was the head of the new label Dunhill Records in Los Angeles. They were selected to become the original Grass Roots, a folk rock group created by songwriters P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri.

The original Grass Roots were Denny Ellis on rhythm guitar, Willie Fulton on vocals and lead guitar, Joel Larson on drums and Dave Stensen on bass. They moved to Los Angeles in 1966, took part in recording sessions and played live performances in the exploding LA music scene. They were one of the first house bands for The Trip on the Sunset Strip. All of The Grass Roots were under the age of 18 so their parents had to sign their contracts with Dunhill Records. They also performed as a TV back up band for The Mamas & the Papas and Johnny Rivers. They appeared on the first color broadcast of The Ed Sullivan Show. They worked with Barry McGuire. After about a year of live performances and networking in the LA rock music scene, the group wanted to have more creative control and input on the selection of songs to perform and record. Dunhill Records had a formula for the group already in mind and did not want to vary from it. The group minus Joel returned to San Francisco and continued to perform until Dunhill Records decided to replace them. Joel was offered to continue with new group members but decided to take an opportunity to play with Gene Clark of The Byrds fame. He then met Emitt Rhodes and formed The Merry-Go-Round that same year.

The Merry-Go-Round performed at the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival in 1967 on both days of the music festival. They closed the show on Saturday June 10 and were the second to the show closer on Sunday June 11. This music festival is important because it occurred before The Monterey Pop Festival but did not have a movie to document it for the ages (see List of electronic music festivals).

He also played with The Turtles in the late 60s. Starting in 1970, he played with Lee Michaels and helped produce the huge radio hit "Do You Know What I Mean".

In 1971, he rejoined The Grass Roots and played with them through the end of their heyday in 1975. From 1975 on, he continued to perform their hits until the mid eighties. In the new wave era, he worked as a dance night promoter in Los Angeles with live broadcasts through radio. He then entered into property management and real estate investment while continuing as a musician in Los Angeles playing with members of The Buckinghams and Paul Revere & the Raiders.

In 2000, Joel started work in the movie and TV entertainment industry as a driver and production coordinator. He has built a long list of credits which include major motion pictures such as Mission: Impossible III (2006), The Bucket List (2007), Iron Man (2008), I Love You, Man (2009), Iron Man 2 (2010) and Thor (2011). Joel continues as a musician playing live performances with other notable musicians in the LA area to the present day.

In 2009, Joel was playing and recording with The Merry-Go-Round co-founder and solo artist Emitt Rhodes and Counting Crows co-founder Matt Malley.

On May 29, 2010, Joel took part in the US Premiere screening for "Emitt Rhodes - The One Man Beatles" film at the Rhino Records Pop Up Store in Westwood, California.

On April 29, 2011, former Gene Clark Group members Chip Douglas, Bill Rinehart and Joel took part in the High Moon Records label launch party at the Roxy in Los Angeles. They celebrated the release of Gene Clark's "Two Sides To Every Story" and Love's "Black Beauty". There was a musical tribute to Gene Clark and Arthur Lee.

Joel was in the heat of the action in the rock music and cultural explosion that took place in California in the 60s. He has left a musical legacy by his work in many rock groups that will be enjoyed by listeners for many years to come. He continues in the entertainment industry helping to coordinate smooth production of film and TV offerings.[1]

Contents

Discography

Singles

(All singles are with The Grass Roots except as noted)

Release date Title Flip side Record label Chart positions
US Billboard US Cashbox UK
1966 Mr. Jones (Ballad Of A Thin Man) You're A Lonely Girl Dunhill 121
Where Were You When I Needed You These Are Bad Times Dunhill 28 33
Only When You're Lonely This Is What I Was Made For Dunhill 96 77
1967 Tip Of My Tongue Look Out Girl Dunhill
Live Time Will Show the Wiser A&M - The Merry-Go-Round
You’re A Very Lovely Woman Where Have You Been All My Life A&M - The Merry-Go-Round
1968 She Laughed Loud She Laughed Loud A&M - The Merry-Go-Round
1970 Uummmm My Lady What Now America A&M - Lee Michaels
1971 Do You Know What I Mean Keep The Circle Turning A&M - Lee Michaels 6
Can I Get a Witness You Are What You Do A&M - Lee Michaels 39
1972 Glory Bound Only One Dunhill 34 22
Runway, The Move Along Dunhill 39 29
Anyway The Wind Blows Monday Love Dunhill 107
1973 Love Is What You Make It Someone To Love Dunhill 55
Where There's Smoke There's Fire Look But Don't Touch Dunhill
We Can't Dance To Your Music Look But Don't Touch Dunhill
Stealin' Love (In The Night) We Almost Made It Together Dunhill
1975 Mamacita The Last Time Around Haven 71
Naked Man Nothing Good Comes Easy Haven
1976 Out In the Open Optical Illusion Haven

Albums

(All albums are with The Grass Roots except as noted)

Release date Title Record label Chart positions
US Billboard US Cashbox UK
1966 Where Were You When I Needed You Dunhill
1967 Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers Columbia
The Merry-Go-Round A&M
1970 Lee Michaels - Barrel A&M
1971 Lee Michaels - 5th A&M 16
1972 Move Along Dunhill 86
1973 Alotta' Mileage Dunhill
1975 Self Titled Haven

References

  1. ^ http://joel-larson.com/ Joel Larson's official website.

External links