George Michael Biondo[1] (born September 3, 1945) is a musician who served as bass guitarist of the Canadian rock band Steppenwolf from April 1970 to October 1976.[2] Born in New York,[3][4] Biondo has been based in Southern California throughout a career as a session musician and songwriter.
George Biondo | |
|---|---|
.png) Biondo with Steppenwolf in 1971 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | George Michael Biondo |
| Born | September 3, 1945 (age 79) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Acid rock, hard rock, psychedelic rock, heavy metal |
| Occupation(s) | Session musician, songwriter |
| Instrument | Bass |
| Years active | 1967-present |
| Labels | Dunhill Records Mums Records Epic Records MCA Records Dore Records |
Early career
editBiondo played bass in a Los Angeles area band called Storybook People during which time they released a single on Dunhill Records, which received limited airplay in Los Angeles.[5] In 1968, Biondo replaced Nick St. Nicholas in another Los Angeles area band called T.I.M.E., when St. Nicholas departed for Steppenwolf. After T.I.M.E. guitarist Larry Byrom also left to join Steppenwolf, T.I.M.E. briefly attempted to carry on with Biondo as lead singer, but never released any further recordings.
Steppenwolf
editIn early 1970, Biondo replaced St. Nicholas a second time[6] when he joined Steppenwolf for the recording of Steppenwolf 7, contributing lead vocals on "Fat Jack" and co-lead vocals on "Foggy Mental Breakdown" and the chart-hit, "Who Needs Ya'".[7] In 1971, the band released their last new album for Dunhill, For Ladies Only for which Biondo wrote "Sparkle Eyes" with John Kay and "In Hopes of a Garden". He sang lead on the latter, as well as "Jaded Strumpet".[7] When Steppenwolf went on hiatus in 1972, Biondo became a founding member of the John Kay Band, appearing on both of Kay's solo albums on Dunhill Records.[7] When Steppenwolf reconvened in the mid-1970s, Biondo was brought back for the album Slow Flux. Then writing "Two for the Love of One" for the Hour of the Wolf album.[7] Biondo later wrote "Sleep" and co-wrote the instrumental "Lip Service" with Bobby Cochran and Wayne Cook for the Skullduggery album in 1976.[8] In 1981, Biondo added backing vocals to Wolftracks, the first studio album by John Kay and his new band, now under the moniker John Kay & Steppenwolf.[8]
After Steppenwolf
editIn 1980, Biondo reunited with Steppenwolf cofounder Jerry Edmonton in a band called Steel Rose. A Steel Rose single penned by Biondo, "Good That You're Gone", was released on Dore Records, and featured Biondo on lead vocals.[9] When Steel Rose disbanded in 1984, Biondo returned to writing and freelance club and session work.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- 7
1970
U.S. #19
Gold
Dunhill Records - For Ladies Only
1971
U.S. #54
Dunhill Records - Forgotten Songs and Unsung Heroes
1972
Dunhill Records - My Sportin Life ("Sing with the Children" only)
1973
Dunhill Records - Slow Flux
1974
U.S. #47
Mums Records - Hour of the Wolf
1975
U.S. #155
Epic Records - Skullduggery
1976
Epic Records - Wolftracks
1982
Attic Records - Good That You're Gone
1984
Dore Records
Compilations
edit- Gold: Their Great Hits
1971
U.S. #24
Gold
Dunhill Records - Rest In Peace
1972
U.S. #62
Dunhill Records - 16 Greatest Hits
1973
U.S. #152
Gold
Dunhill Records - The ABC Collection
1976
ABC Records - Reborn To Be Wild
1976
Epic Records - Born to Be Wild - A Retrospective
1991
MCA Records - All Time Greatest Hits
1999
MCA Records - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Steppenwolf
2000
Gold
Universal Music Group - Steppenwolf Gold
2005
Geffen Records
Singles
edit| Release date | A-side | B-side | US Chart Peak | UK Chart Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | "Do You Believe" | |||
| "Afternoon Glare" | "No Return" | |||
| 1970 | "Screaming Night Hog" (Kay) | "Spiritual Fantasy" (Kay) | 62 | |
| "Who Needs Ya" (Byrom/Kay) | "Earschplittenloudenboomer" (Byrom) | 54 | ||
| "Snowblind Friend" (Axton) | "Hippo Stomp" (Byrom/Kay) | |||
| 1971 | "Ride With Me" (Bonfire) | "For Madmen Only" | 52 | |
| "For Ladies Only" (Edmonton/Henry/Kay/McJohn) | "Sparkle Eyes" (Biondo/Kay) | 64 | ||
| 1974 | "Straight Shootin' Woman" (Edmonton) | "Justice Don't Be Slow" (Kay/Richie) | 29 | |
| 1975 | "Get Into The Wind" (Cochran/Van Beek) | "Morning Blue" (Biondo) | ||
| "Smokey Factory Blues" (Hammond/Hazlewood) | "A Fool's Fantasy" (McJohn) | |||
| "Caroline (Are You Ready)" (Bonfire) | "Angeldrawers" |
References
edit- ^ "Letter from George Michael Biondo of Steppenwolf". Fineguitarconsultants.com. Archived from the original on 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Steppenwolf Family Tree". Steppenwolf.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Music.msn.com". Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ "George Biondo". Music.msn.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Searchin' for Shakes". Comps.ugly-things.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Steppenwolf Biography". Steppenwolf.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ a b c d "The Making of the Music Part 2". Steppenwolf.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-24. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ a b "The Making of the Music Part 3". Steppenwolf.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-24. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Connolly Artist". Connollyandco.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-02. Retrieved 2007-11-20.