The JupiterSpace Rare Bird Web Site
Rare Bird was one of the finest bands to emerge in the late sixties and early seventies. Their brand of keyboard-driven rock helped usher in the age of progessive rock. In later works, they blended in electric guitars while maintaining their keyboard driven leads to forge a unique and soothing progressive sound. Their well crafted songwriting with a penchant for melody & harmonics created music that sounds as good and fresh today as it did in the seventies. Their music is enduring.
Rare Bird formed in London, England in late 1969. The original members were Graham Field on organ, Dave Kaffinetti on electric piano, Steve Gould on bass guitar and vocals, and Mark Ashton on drums. They began rehearsing in Graham Field's London apartment. They soon were offered a residency at London's Marquee. Their self-titled debut album was issued before the end of 1969 and reached No. 117 on the U.S. charts. Their second release, AS YOUR MIND FLIES BY, continued their keyboard-driven sound along with Gould's powerful vocals. In 1970, Billboard Magazine listed Rare Bird as one of the top ten best new bands.
Rare Bird's third release, EPIC FOREST, saw the departure of Graham Field and Mark Ashton. Fred Kelly took over on drums and Ced Curtis on guitar. Paul Karas and Paul Holland now rounded out the band. Aside from AS YOUR MIND FLIES BY, EPIC FOREST may well be the bands best effort. The band's fourth release, SOMEBODY'S WATCHING, saw a continuance of the Gould/Kaffinetti songwriting work and was highlighted by the 8 1/2 minute progressive tune DOLLARS. Rare Bird's fifth and final release, BORN AGAIN, was another fine album featuring the signature Rare Bird sound. Some singles and a couple of compilations were released to round out the collective work of Rare Bird. An exceptional body of music that is as good and refreshing in today's world of Alternative/Grunge/Rap/Pop music as the day it was written.
Rare Bird Information and Other Related Links
Rare Bird 1
Rare Bird 2-3
All Music Rare Bird Page
Alvin Lee/Ten Years After
ELP Digest
Runner
Van der Graaf Generator
Alan Merrill/Runner
Mark Ashton Project
Rare Bird Music Sources
GEMM
Syn-Phonic Music
Music Obsession
eBAY
iTunes
Return To Space
JupiterSpace
JupiterSpace Lifeforce Page
Longview Enterprises