Just look at the albums he played on almost all the songs he co-wrote or brought to the band. He would come in and he would bring all these songs. Johnnie Bolin in 2005: “You know Tommy was always asked to join these other bands and when he did he really did revive them. The Bolin museum in Sioux City, there is a 3 x 3 foot foam core poster of the album cover signed by all 4 members in blue ballpoint pen. Many do not realize the cover photo was taken when Troiano was still in the band as Tommy's head imposed over Dominick Troiano's body in photo on the cover.
![james gang ride the wind james gang ride the wind](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ciKyktOP-gY/Tf3rHDfIBUI/AAAAAAAABPg/4RFYMR1fabg/s1600/The%2BJames%2BGang%2B2.jpg)
The LP 'Bang' (#SD-7037) is released on and climbs to #122 on the Billboard Charts, 2 singles are released from this album "Must Be Love b/w Got No Time For Troubles" (#6953) which charts at #54 in Apr '74 followed by "Standing In The Rain b/w From Another Time" (#6966) The band begin recording their 6th album in Mar '73, Bolin writes or co-writes 8 of the 9 songs released on the album & sings lead on "Alexis" his 1st released vocal ever. Bolin has many unused songs from his 'Energy' 1971-73 or 'American Standard' 1968 days: "Got No Time For Trouble" "Oh Carol (from another time)" "Standing In The Rain (come back to me)" "Jump Back (somebody help me)" "Alexis (come on cool it)” "Bring Our Love Home" "Red Skies" "Must Be Love (bring it on up)" & "Mystery" (I have copies of these recordings from Bolin's personal reel to reel collection) When Bolin joins 'James Gang' they sign a new record deal with ATCO-Atlantic Records.
#James gang ride the wind tv
Bolin joins the 'James Gang' from August 1973 to August 1974, for 2 Albums, 2 Singles and over 70 Concerts & several TV appearances.Īt this time Bolin is using a (the finish a shoe polish brown) Tele-Strat the neck of a Telecaster & the body of a Stratocaster (rumored to now be owned by the guitarist from 'Generation X' in the UK) 1972 Hi Watt Amp model DR-103 made in England, a Sam Ash Fuzz Face pedal, and Sound City 4 x 12 speaker cabinets and his legendary Maestro Echoplex model EP-3, later Bolin purchases a brand new 1974 black Fender Stratocaster (which he used until the night of his death, now located somewhere on the East Coast) his girlfriend, Karen Ulibarri (she went on to be the head costumer for KISS in the 80s & 90s, I met her through Eric Singer) since 1968 made his stage clothes for him, a Silver Lame' Suit & a Red Velvet Suit, among others. Bolin gets a call from Fox to come down and audition, the band likes what they hear from Bolin, it doesn't hurt that Bolin brings with him, a plethora of original songs (usually co-written with Jeff Cook or John Tesar). 'Energy' seeming going nowhere, broke up and Bolin recorded the guitar tracks in May ‘73 for 4 songs for Billy Cobham's (: Panama) 1st solo record 'Spectrum' on Atlantic Records, released in Oct 1973. Bolin had left 'Zephyr' with his Drummer & friend Bobby Berge in May '71, to form his "dream" band 'Energy', this band had several musical styles, as well as a revolving door of members, and as fantastic as the main stay lineup (Bolin, Berge, Jeff Cook, Stanley Sheldon & Tom Stephenson) was, they just couldn't seem to land a record deal. Jim Fox called Walsh to ask for a recommendation for a new guitarist, Walsh recommended this new up and coming kid (Bolin had a nameplate "The Kid" on his Amp Head) from Boulder, this Tommy Bolin. In '73 Troiano left the band, Joe Walsh was still signed to ABC-Dunhill Records as was (at one time: 1969 -70), the Colorado band 'Zephry' with Tommy Bolin (: Sioux City, Iowa - Miami), Walsh, in '72 was with the band 'Barnstorm' & Bolin was in the band 'Energy'.