Bobby Mason
Laid Back Up Front
© 2004 Tortuga Music Bmi (880074011924)
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Good old rock and roll and blues Joe Cocker.
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Bobby began playing the guitar at the age of seven. He formed his first band, The Torpedoes, in high school in Bellflower, California, where they performed with the Johnny Otis Show at El Monte Legion Stadium and the Harmony Park Ballroom.
He recorded his first record in 1963 with The Illusions, a surf hit called "Jezebel". He was signed by Liberty Records and was produced by Mike Curb and Bob Summers. In 1967 he joined The Happy Medium, playing at such Los Angeles music scene venues as PJ's, Whiskey A-Go-Go and Gazzarri's. They performed with The Beach Boys, The Grassroots and The Fifth Dimension. They went on to open the heralded Hilton International in Las Vegas.
At that time, Mark Gordon, who also handled The Fifth Dimension, managed The Happy Medium. Their album, "Wells Fargo", was recorded on Bell Carousel Records.
In 1969, Bobby moved to Aspen, Colorado at the beginning of Aspen's heyday. A year later he joined the legendary group, Black Pearl, as one of the lead singers and lead guitarist.
After Black Pearl, he collaborated with Bobby Carpenter, now keyboardist for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Together they formed Home Brew. At that same time, John Denver was putting together a new record label called Windsong Records, a subsidiary of RCA. John asked Bobby and Home Brew to be among the initially signed groups who were recording all original material. Their work was covered in the 1970's by a number of other successful groups, including Three Dog Night, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and John Denver himself.
Home Brew's manager, Bill McEuen, booked them at the Roxy in Los Angeles, where they were showcased for all the major labels in the L.A. music scene and signed with Columbia Records. Shortly thereafter, the group was renamed Starwood by their new manager, Jerry Weintraub. Their next record was produced by Bruce Bodnick at the famous (and sometimes infamous) Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado; the home of many of that era's greatest hits. They toured extensively with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Santana, Journey and Eddie Money, playing such places as The Cow Palace in San Francisco, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. They appeared on several television shows including The Merv Griffin Show with John Denver and The Starland Vocal Band.
By 1977, Bobby formed his own band, The Bobby Mason Band, featuring 'good time rock 'n roll' to the delight of the Rocky Mountain region. From time to time, Bobby would be regularly joined by the likes of Jimmy Buffett, Dan Fogelberg, New Grass Revival and various members of The Eagles.
In 1982, his career expanded and Bobby began doing commercials in New York City for Saatchi & Saatchi for such clients as Jeep, Duncan Hines, Budweiser and Kodak. In 1983, Bobby became 'the voice of Jeep'. He continued for the next few years to constantly travel for different clients, doing voice-over work in the advertising business.
In the 1990's, Bobby played with such artists as Kenny Loggins, Buddy Miles, John Oates and Bo Diddley. One day Don Johnson called and said, "We're opening the Phoenix location of Planet Hollywood. You've got to put a band together and get down here!" Bobby made a few phone calls and Planet Hollywood opened with the "house band" of Don Johnson, Stephen Stills, Whoopi Goldberg, Jim Belushi, and Bobby.
Bobby has had a long and distinguished career and is listed in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Anthology. Presently, he is working in his home studio on four new projects which include...
Since 1971, Bobby has maintained a home in Aspen with his wife, Peggy, and daughter, Danielle, who recently graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder. The Masons thoroughly enjoy their life traveling extensively throughout the world, particularly to Casa Tortuga, their wonderful getaway in Belize, where they snorkel, scuba dive, fish, and entertain good friends.
Pertinent links: The Beach Boys; Jimmy Buffett; Casa Tortuga; Dan Fogelberg; The Illusions; Kenny Loggins; Buddy Miles; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; John Oates; Stephen Stills.
reviews
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Holy smoke
author: craig loganThis is a great album from a greater artist with an amazing band. this is from the roots of rock and soul and blues through the roof. the production on this recording restores my faith in modern recorded music for being able to capture such a live feel. buy this album if you want to hear how the big boys do it. c. logan
Bobby Mason truly is the Godfather of Rock.
author: Kathryn O'CarraThere isn't a musician who has passed through the Aspen area who hasn't heard of Bobby Mason, wanted to jam with him, and has great respect for him. Truly the Godfather of Rock, there is no other voice that provides the energy that each song on Laid Back Up Front deserves. This is as close as you can get to a personal concert from Bobby, with some of his very best riffs and vocals on classic rock and blues.