Paul Revere & the Raiders

Paul Revere & the Raiders is an American rock band that saw enormous mainstream success in the 1960s, best-known for hits like "Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian)" (1971), "Steppin' Out"(1965), "Kicks"(1966), "Let Me" (1969) and "Hungry" (1966).

History

Early years

The group, initially located in Boise, Idaho, started as an instrumental rock outfit led by organist Paul Revere (legal name Paul Revere Dick, born january 7 1938, Harvard, Nebraska; original stage name Revere Dick [1]), whose distinctive given names were in honor of the Revolutionary War hero. In his early twenties, Revere already owned several restaurants in Caldwell, Idaho,^{[citation needed]} and first met singer Mark Lindsay while picking up an order of hamburger buns from the bakery where Lindsay worked ^{[citation needed]} (this circumstance was later referred to in the tongue-in-cheek song "Legend of Paul Revere"). Lindsay joined Revere's band in 1958. Originally called The Downbeats, they changed their name to Paul Revere & The Raiders in 1960 on the eve of their first record release for Gardena Records. The band scored their first Pacific Northwest regional hit in 1961, with "Like, Long Hair", an instrumental. Revere was drafted, became a conscientious objector^{[citation needed]} and worked at a mental institution for a year and a half of deferred service.^{[citation needed]} After re-forming the band, they attracted national attention again with a cover of "Louie Louie", which was picked up by Columbia Records, although beaten in the charts by The Kingsmen's version. ^{[citation needed]}

They would maintain a huge level of popularity in the mid-1960s, beginning with "Just Like Me" (1965), which marked the beginning of a string of garage rock classics. (The tune itself was originally written by Rick Dey and Rich Brown of the Longview-based band The Wilde Knights. Raiders manager Roger Hart paid them $ 5000 for the use of their song, which the Raiders turned into an instant classic.) The Raiders, under the guidance of producer Terry Melcher, increasingly emulated the sounds of British Invasion bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, and The Animals, albeit with an American, R&B feel. Their second major national hit, "Just Like Me" (1965 - #11) was one of the first rock records to feature a distinctive, double-tracked guitar solo (by guitarist Drake Levin).

The band appeared regularly on national television, especially on Dick Clark's Where the Action Is, Happening '68, and It's Happening, the latter two of which were co-hosted by Paul Revere and Mark Lindsay. Here they were presented as the American response to the British Invasion. The group wore American Revolutionary War soldier uniforms and performed slapstick comedy and synchronized dance steps while the ponytailed Lindsay lip synched to their music. This farcical, cartoonish image obscured the proto-hard rock sound that their music often took. The Raiders were at one point endorsed by the Vox Amplifier company (Revere used their Vox Continental combo organ. Bassist Phil Volk was seen on television playing their "coffin bass" and everyone played through Vox Super Beatle amplifiers.)

Their hits from the mid-60's included "Kicks" (Billboard Pop Chart #4), "Him or Me - What's It Gonna Be?" (#7), "Good Thing" (#5), "Hungry" (#5), and "Great Airplane Strike" (#20). Of these, "Kicks" became their best-known song, an anti-drug message written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil that was originally earmarked for The Animals.

In mid-1967, with three gold albums to their credit, they were Columbia Records' top-selling rock group; their Greatest Hits album was one of two releases selected by Clive Davis to try out a higher list price for albums expected to be particularly popular, along with Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits.

Changing tastes in the late 1960s rendered the group unfashionable, but they still continued to have hits through the rest of the decade, such as "I Had A Dream" (1967 - #20), "Too Much Talk" (1968 - #18, and an illustration of their tendency towards Beatles imitations), and "Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon" (1969 - #18). Tensions between Lindsay and Revere increased during this time; Lindsay wanted to go more in the direction of hard rock acts like Led Zeppelin or the James Gang, while Revere sought a bubblegum pop direction (Revere turned down an offer to play the Woodstock festival). Lindsay's vision for the Raiders was represented on songs such as "Let Me" (1969 - #20 - Gold Single), "Powder Blue Mercedes Queen" (1972 - #54) and "Just Seventeen" (1970 - #70) and the 1970 album Collage. By the time of the release of Collage the band's name was officially shortened to The Raiders. Despite a glowing review in Rolling Stone magazine, Collage was a dismal failure, and Lindsay began to turn towards solo projects.

"Freeborn Man", a song written by Lindsay and bassist Keith Allison, has since gone on to be a Country Rock standard, covered by The Outlaws, Junior Brown, and Glen Campbell among many others.

Ironically, The Raiders biggest hit, "Indian Reservation" (1971 - #1 - Gold single), was recorded as a Mark Lindsay solo session and included input from no one else in the band. Revere took the unusual step of promoting the single, by riding cross country a total of four times. Plugging the song at every market available, Revere's efforts paid off, and "Indian Reservation" peaked at #1 for one week in August. "Indian Reservation" was Columbia Records biggest selling single for almost a decade, clearing over 6 million units. They followed this success, with a top 20 album (Indian Reservation) and the #24 hit "Birds of a Feather."

In 1972, The Raiders made one last attempt at a pop album, with Country Wine, but Columbia was sinking money into other acts, such as Blue Öyster Cult and Aerosmith, and Country Wine and The Raiders sank in the resulting quagmire. They did continue to release singles for Columbia until their contract expired in 1975. Their last hits were "Country Wine" (1972 - #52), "Powder Blue Mercedes Queen (1972 - #54), "Song Seller" (1972 - #96) and "Love Music" (1973 - #97).

After Mark Lindsay

Lineup changes ensued in 1975, as guitarist Doug Heath and bassist Ron Foos joined. Lindsay left the band to continue his solo career, having landing a hit single in late 1969 with Kenny Young's "Arizona". After two final singles for Warner Bros. records in 1977, Mark turned his attentions to film scoring and commercials. He was also head of A&R (artists & repertoire) for United Artists Records in the 70's.

Country music the choice of former guitarist Freddy Weller, who had much success on the country charts after leaving the Raiders (Freddy's stint was 1967-1973). Revere continued to put together successful Raiders lineups with other lead singers, such as Michael Bradley. In a memorable event, Revere married for the second time on the 4th of July, Bicentenial Year 1976 on stage at a Raiders show. Lindsay (and to a lesser extent producer Terry Melcher) had clearly been the creative center of the band.

The punk rock and New Wave eras would see a wave of interest in the Raiders' music; "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" was covered by The Sex Pistols and Liverpool band The Farm (although The Monkees' cover version was more well known than the Raiders' original), and later "Just Like Me" would be covered by The Circle Jerks (as well as by more mainstream figures like Joan Jett and Pat Benatar). "Hungry" was also covered by Sammy Hagar and the new waver David Edwards did a killer cover of "Kicks". The Flamin' Groovies tackled two Raiders songs ("Him or Me, What's it Gonna Be?" and "Ups and Downs") and The Morrells did a country-tinged arrangement of "Ups and Downs" as well. The Paisley Underground, garage rock revival, and grunge movements would all acknowledge the Raiders' influence.

Revere has continued to play shows on the oldies circuit and in Branson, Missouri with various Raiders.^{[citation needed]} Lindsay is semi-retired and lives in Portland, Oregon, where he hosts a radio show on a local station KLTH 106.7FM. ^{[citation needed]} Keith Allison, who played in the Raiders from 1968 to 1975, has since gone into acting, and has appeared in the film Gods and Generals.^{[citation needed]}

In 1997, the group's classic 1966 Midnight Ride lineup (singer Mark Lindsay, guitarist Drake Levin, bassist Phil "Fang" Volk and drummer Mike "Smitty" Smith) reunited in full costume (though without Revere himself) for a 30th anniversary performance in Portland. Smith died four years later.

in 2000 Sundazed Records released a two CD package entitled Mojo Workout that focused on the Raiders' early R&B and soul sounds from early in their Columbia career.

Original bassist Phil "Fang" Volk currently tours with his own band, "Fang and the Gang." Guitarist Drake Levin also performs on occasion in the San Francisco Bay Area. After their stints in the Raiders, Levin, Volk and original drummer Smitty briefly performed together as The Brotherhood.

Discography w/U.S. Billboard chart peak positions

Singles- The Early Years, 1960-1964

as PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS

Beatnik Sticks / Orbit (The Spy) (Gardena 106) 1960
Paul Revere's Ride / Unfinished Fifth (Gardena 115) 1961
Like, Long Hair (US #38) / Sharon (Gardena 116) 1961
Like Charleston / Midnight Ride (Gardena 118) 1961
All Night Long / Groovy (Gardena 124) 1961
Like Bluegrass / Leatherneck (Gardena 127) 1962
Shake It Up (Pt 1) / Shake It Up (Pt 2) (Gardena 131) 1962
Tall Cool One / Road Runner (Gardena 137) 1962
So Fine / Blues Stay Away (Jerden 807) 1963
Louie Louie / Night Train (Sande 101) 1963
Louie Louie (US #103) / Night Train (Columbia 42814) 1963
Louie-Go Home (US #118) / Have Love Will Travel (Columbia 43008) 1964
Over You (US #133) / Swim (Columbia 43114) 1964
Ooh Poo Pah Doo / Sometimes (US #131) (Columbia 43273) 1964

Singles During the Hit-Making Years, 1965-1971

Steppin' Out (US #46) / Blue Fox (Columbia 43375) 1965
Just Like Me (US #11) / B.F.D.R.F. Blues (Columbia 43461) 1965
Kicks (US #4) / Shake It Up (Columbia 43556) 1966
Kicks / Kicks (promo only) (Columbia 43556) 1966
Hungry (US #6) / There She Goes (Columbia 43678) 1966
The Great Airplane Strike (US #20) / In My Community (Columbia 43810) 1966
Good Thing (US #4) / Undecided Man (Columbia 43907) 1966
Ups And Downs (US #22) / Leslie (Columbia 44018) 1967
Him Or Me, What's It Gonna Be (US #5) / Legend of Paul Revere (Columbia 44094) 1967
I Had A Dream (US #17) / Upon Your Leaving (Columbia 44207) 1967
Io Sogno Te (aka I Had A Dream) / Little Girl (aka Little Girl In The 4th Row) (CBS) 1967
Peace Of Mind (US #42) / Do Unto Others (US #102) (Columbia 44335) 1967
Rain, Sleet, Snow / Brotherly Love (Columbia 44376) 1967
Too Much Talk (US #19) / Happening '68 (Columbia 44444) 1968
Don't Take It So Hard (US #27) / Observation From Flight 285 (In 3/4 Time) (Columbia 44553) 1968
Cinderella Sunshine (US #58) / Theme From 'It's Happening' (Columbia 44655) 1968
Mr Sun, Mr Moon (US #18) / Without You (Columbia 44744) 1969
Let Me (US #20) / I Don't Know (Columbia 44854) 1969
We Gotta All Get Together (US #50) / Frankfort Side Street (Columbia 44970) 1969

as THE RAIDERS:

Just Seventeen (US #82) / Sorceress With Blue Eyes (Columbia 45082) 1970
Gone Movin' On (US #120) / Interlude (To Be Forgotten) (Columbia 45150) 1970
Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) (US #1) / Terry's Tune (Columbia 45332) 1971
Birds Of A Feather (US #23) / The Turkey (Columbia 45453) 1971

1970s-forward

Country Wine (US #51) / It's So Hard Getting Up Today (Columbia 45535) 1972
Powder Blue Mercedes Queen (US #54) / Golden Girls Sometimes (Columbia 45601) 1972
Song Seller (US #96) / A Simple Song (Columbia 45688) 1972
Love Music (US #97) / Goodbye No. 9 (Columbia 45759) 1973
(If I Had To Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It) All Over You / Seaboard Line Boogie (Columbia 45898) 1974

as PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS

Your Love (Is the Only Love)/Gonna Have a Good Time (Columbia 10126) 1975
The British are Coming (20th Century) 1976
Ain't Nothin' Wrong/You're Really Saying Something (Drive) 1976
Kicks (Live '82) (RaiderAmerica) 1982
Jingle Bells/ (b side by Dean Torrence and Mike Love) (Primore) 1983

Albums

LIKE, LONG HAIR (Gardena LP-G 1000) 1961
PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS (Sande S-1001) 1963
HERE THEY COME (Columbia CL-2307/CS-9107, US #71) 1964

Front cover features bassist Mike "Doc" Holiday. Early pressings feature Holiday's name on back cover, later pressings feature new liner notes and Holiday's replacement Phil "Fang" Volk

JUST LIKE US (Columbia CL-2451/CS-9251, US #5) 1965
MIDNIGHT RIDE (Columbia CL-2508/CS-9308, US #9) 1966
IN THE BEGINNING (Jerden JRL-7004) 1966
THE SPIRIT OF '67 (Columbia CL-2595/CS-9395, US #9) 1967
PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS GREATEST HITS (Columbia KCL-2662/KCS-9462, US #9) 1967
REVOLUTION! (Columbia CL-2721/CS-9521, US #25) 1967
A CHRISTMAS PRESENT ... AND PAST (Columbia CL-2755/CS-9555, US #10-special Christmas charts) 1967
GOIN' TO MEMPHIS (Columbia CL-2805/CS-9605, US #61) 1968

Although credited to Paul Revere & The Raiders, only Paul Revere & Mark Lindsay appear on this album

SOMETHING HAPPENING (Columbia CS-9665, US #122) 1968
HARD'N HEAVY (WITH MARSHMALLOW) (Columbia CS-9753, US #51) 1969

Early pressing feature black and white front cover photo, later pressings feature different photo in color

TWO ALL-TIME GREAT SELLING LP'S (Columbia GP-12, US #166) 1969

Repackage of "Spirit Of '67" and "Revolution" albums

ALIAS PINK PUZZ (Columbia CS-9905, US #48) 1969
PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS FEATURING MARK LINDSAY (Harmony KH-30089) 1970
COLLAGE (Columbia CS-9964, US #154) 1970
GOOD THING (Harmony KH-30975) 1971
THE RAIDERS GREATEST HITS, VOL 2 (Columbia C-30386) 1971
INDIAN RESERVATION (Columbia C-30768, US #19) 1971
MOVIN' ON (Harmony KH-31183) 1972
COUNTRY WINE (Columbia KC-31196) 1972
ALL TIME GREATEST HITS (Columbia KG-31464, US #143) 1972
SPECIAL EDITION FEATURING MICHAEL BRADLEY (Raider) 1982
GREAT RAIDER REUNION (ERA) 1983
PAUL REVERE RIDES AGAIN (Hitbound) 1983
GENERIC ROCK ALBUM 1984
STILL LIVE 1984
JUST LIKE US! (Sundazed) 1998
MIDNIGHT RIDE (Sundazed) 2000
ALIAS PINK PUZZ (Repertoire) 2001
SOMETHING HAPPENING (Repertoire) 2001
HARD 'N' HEAVY (Repertoire) 2003

External links