George Biondo
Encyclopedia
George Michael Biondo was the bass guitar
ist of the American
rock band
, Steppenwolf
, from April 1970 to October 1976. Though born in New York
, he has been based in Southern California
throughout his ongoing career as a session musician
and songwriter
.
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. 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
.
, contributing lead vocals on "Fat Jack" and co-lead vocals on "Foggy Mental Breakdown" and the chart-hit, "Who Needs Ya'". 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". 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. 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. Biondo later wrote "Sleep" and co-wrote the instrumental "Lip Service" with Bobby Cochran
and Wayne Cook
for the Skullduggery
album in 1976. 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.
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. When Steel Rose disbanded in 1984 Biondo returned to writing and freelance club and session work.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist of the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
, Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf (band)
Steppenwolf are a Canadian-American rock group that was prominent in the late 1960s. The group was formed in 1967 in Los Angeles by vocalist John Kay, guitarist Michael Monarch, bassist Rushton Moreve, keyboardist Goldy McJohn and drummer Jerry Edmonton after the dissolution of Toronto group The...
, from April 1970 to October 1976. Though born in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he has been based in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
throughout his ongoing career as a session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Early career
Biondo played bassBass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
in a Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
area band called Storybook People during which time they released a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on Dunhill Records
Dunhill Records
Dunhill Records was started by Lou Adler, Al Bennett, Pierre Cossette and Bobby Roberts in 1964 as Dunhill Productions, originally for the purpose of releasing Johnny Rivers recordings on Imperial Records. It became a record label in 1965 and was distributed by ABC Records...
, which received limited airplay in Los Angeles. In 1968, Biondo replaced Nick St. Nicholas
Nick St. Nicholas
Nick St. Nicholas is a bassist, and is best known for his membership in Steppenwolf from 1968 to 1970, and then again from 1976 to 1980. After World War II, his family moved to Toronto and became Canadian citizens. Sister Maren joined the Canadian Ballet Company & Conservatory of Music as pianist...
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
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
.
Steppenwolf
In early 1970, Biondo replaced St. Nicholas a second time when he joined Steppenwolf for the recording of Steppenwolf 7Steppenwolf 7
Steppenwolf 7 is an album by the band Steppenwolf, released in 1970, and their fifth studio recording for Dunhill Records. It is the first Steppenwolf album with new bass player George Biondo. While the album featured Steppenwolf's trademark rock and roll sounds, none of the songs were able to...
, contributing lead vocals on "Fat Jack" and co-lead vocals on "Foggy Mental Breakdown" and the chart-hit, "Who Needs Ya'". In 1971, the band released their last new album for Dunhill, For Ladies Only
For Ladies Only
For Ladies Only is the sixth studio album by the band Steppenwolf, released in 1971 . It is a political concept album mainly about feminism but with several more conventional songs about romance as well, both unusual themes for Steppenwolf...
for which Biondo wrote "Sparkle Eyes" with John Kay
John Kay (musician)
John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf...
and "In Hopes of a Garden". He sang lead on the latter, as well as "Jaded Strumpet". When Steppenwolf went on hiatus in 1972, Biondo became a founding member of the John Kay Band
John Kay (musician)
John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf...
, appearing on both of Kay's solo albums on Dunhill Records. When Steppenwolf reconvened in the mid-1970s, Biondo was brought back for the album Slow Flux
Slow Flux
Slow Flux is an album released by the band Steppenwolf in 1974 , under the label Epic. In the U.S. it was released on the Mums Records label, a short-lived CBS Records subsidiary. It was the first of three albums the band created after reforming in 1974 before they disbanded again in 1976...
. Then writing "Two for the Love of One" for the Hour of the Wolf
Hour of the Wolf (album)
Hour of the Wolf is an album by Steppenwolf, released in 1975 . It was the second of four albums Steppenwolf released under the label Epic.-Track listing:#"Caroline " – 4:53...
album. Biondo later wrote "Sleep" and co-wrote the instrumental "Lip Service" with Bobby Cochran
Bobby Cochran
Bobby Cochran is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has worked with many bands, including Steppenwolf, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Leon Russell, and Bobby and the Midnites.-External links:*, official website of Bobby Cochran...
and Wayne Cook
Wayne Cook
Wayne Cook is an American keyboardist best known for his time with Steppenwolf and Player. He co-wrote the instrumental "Lip Service" and played keyboards on Steppenwolf's 1976 Skullduggery album...
for the Skullduggery
Skullduggery
Skullduggery may mean:* Skullduggery , an album by the band Steppenwolf* Skullduggery , a 1970 film starring Burt Reynolds* Skullduggery , a 1983 film...
album in 1976. In 1981, Biondo added backing vocals to Wolftracks
Wolftracks
Wolftracks is an album by John Kay and Steppenwolf, released in 1982 . It was originally released only in Canada and Australia.-Track listing:#"All I Want Is All You Got" - 3:55...
, the first studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
album by John Kay and his new band, now under the moniker John Kay & Steppenwolf.
After Steppenwolf
In 1980, Biondo re-united with Steppenwolf co-founder Jerry EdmontonJerry Edmonton
Jerry Edmonton was the drummer for the rock band, Steppenwolf.He was born Gerald McCrohan in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Both he and his brother Dennis, also known as Mars Bonfire, changed their surnames to Edmonton during the 1960s, when they performed in a group called The Sparrows...
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. When Steel Rose disbanded in 1984 Biondo returned to writing and freelance club and session work.
Studio albums
- 7Steppenwolf 7Steppenwolf 7 is an album by the band Steppenwolf, released in 1970, and their fifth studio recording for Dunhill Records. It is the first Steppenwolf album with new bass player George Biondo. While the album featured Steppenwolf's trademark rock and roll sounds, none of the songs were able to...
1970
U.S. #19
GoldMusic recording sales certificationMusic recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
Dunhill RecordsDunhill RecordsDunhill Records was started by Lou Adler, Al Bennett, Pierre Cossette and Bobby Roberts in 1964 as Dunhill Productions, originally for the purpose of releasing Johnny Rivers recordings on Imperial Records. It became a record label in 1965 and was distributed by ABC Records... - For Ladies OnlyFor Ladies OnlyFor Ladies Only is the sixth studio album by the band Steppenwolf, released in 1971 . It is a political concept album mainly about feminism but with several more conventional songs about romance as well, both unusual themes for Steppenwolf...
1971
U.S. #54
Dunhill Records - Forgotten Songs and Unsung HeroesForgotten Songs and Unsung HeroesForgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes is a country-blues album by German-Canadian musician John Kay, released on Dunhill Records in 1972.Kay was well known as the lead singer of the band, Steppenwolf, in the 1960s. This album is his first solo work since Steppenwolf's split. It mixes pure acoustic tunes...
1972
Dunhill Records - My Sportin Life ("Sing with the Children" only)
1973
Dunhill Records - Slow FluxSlow FluxSlow Flux is an album released by the band Steppenwolf in 1974 , under the label Epic. In the U.S. it was released on the Mums Records label, a short-lived CBS Records subsidiary. It was the first of three albums the band created after reforming in 1974 before they disbanded again in 1976...
1974
U.S. #47
Mums Records - Hour of the WolfHour of the Wolf (album)Hour of the Wolf is an album by Steppenwolf, released in 1975 . It was the second of four albums Steppenwolf released under the label Epic.-Track listing:#"Caroline " – 4:53...
1975
U.S. #155
Epic RecordsEpic RecordsEpic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A... - SkullduggerySkullduggery (album)Skullduggery is an album released by the band Steppenwolf in 1976 . It was the third of four albums the band released under the label Epic...
1976
Epic Records - WolftracksWolftracksWolftracks is an album by John Kay and Steppenwolf, released in 1982 . It was originally released only in Canada and Australia.-Track listing:#"All I Want Is All You Got" - 3:55...
1982
Attic RecordsAttic Records (Canada)Attic Records was a Canadian independent record label, founded in 1974 by Alexander Mair and Tom Williams. The label was known for developing Canadian talent, including Anvil, Lee Aaron, Maestro Fresh Wes, The Nylons, Teenage Head, and Triumph... - Good That You're Gone
1984
Dore RecordsDore RecordsDoré Records, pronounced "dorrie" and with an accent on the "e" was a sublabel of Era Records.It was founded in 1958 by Herb Newman and Lou Bedell. Their first big hit was "To Know Him Is To Love Him" by The Teddy Bears, written by Phil Spector who was a member of the group. Among the early staff...
Compilations
- Gold: Their Great HitsGold: Their Great HitsGold: Their Great Hits was the first greatest hits collection released by Canadian rock band Steppenwolf. The album, released in 1971, charted at #24 on the Billboard Pop Albums charts. The album certified "gold" by the RIAA on April 12, 1971...
1971
U.S. #24
Gold
Dunhill Records - Rest In Peace
1972
U.S. #62
Dunhill Records - 16 Greatest Hits16 Greatest Hits- Personnel :* John Kay – lead vocals, guitar* Jerry Edmonton – drums, vocals* Goldy McJohn – organ, vocals* Michael Monarch – guitar, vocals* Rushton Moreve – bass, vocals* Nick St...
1973
U.S. #152
Gold
Dunhill Records - The ABC CollectionThe ABC Collection (Steppenwolf album)The ABC Collection is a 1976 greatest hits album by Steppenwolf, released after the band's second breakup by ABC Records, who owned the band's early back catalog after acquiring Dunhill Records. This collection was released the same year as Reborn To Be Wild, a compilation album of the band's Epic...
1976
ABC RecordsABC RecordsABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H.... - Reborn To Be Wild
1976
Epic Records - Born to Be Wild - A RetrospectiveBorn to Be Wild - A RetrospectiveBorn to Be Wild – A Retrospective is a 1991 greatest hits album by Steppenwolf.-Track listing:Disc 1#"Twisted" - 03:14#"Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" - 03:43#"Sookie Sookie" - 03:15#"Everbody's Next One" - 02:57...
1991
MCA RecordsMCA RecordsMCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003... - All Time Greatest Hits
1999
MCA Records - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Steppenwolf20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Steppenwolf-Personnel:*John Kay – lead vocals, guitar*Jerry Edmonton – drums, vocals*Goldy McJohn – organ, vocals*Michael Monarch – guitar, vocals*Rushton Moreve – bass, vocals*Nick St. Nicholas – bass, vocals...
2000
Gold
Universal Music GroupUniversal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... - Steppenwolf Gold
2005
Geffen RecordsGeffen RecordsGeffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
Singles
| Release date | A-side A-side and B-side A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or... |
B-side | US Chart Peak | UK Chart Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | "Do You Believe" | |||
| "Afternoon Glare" | "No Return" | |||
| 1970 | "Screaming Night Hog" (Kay John Kay (musician) John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf... ) |
"Spiritual Fantasy" (Kay John Kay (musician) John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf... ) |
62 | |
| "Who Needs Ya" (Byrom Larry Byrom Larry Byrom is an American guitarist who has written, recorded, and toured with acts like Steppenwolf, Ratchell, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Peter Frampton, Eddie Rabbit and Tanya Tucker.- References :... /Kay John Kay (musician) John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf... ) |
"Earschplittenloudenboomer" (Byrom Larry Byrom Larry Byrom is an American guitarist who has written, recorded, and toured with acts like Steppenwolf, Ratchell, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Peter Frampton, Eddie Rabbit and Tanya Tucker.- References :... ) |
54 | ||
| "Snowblind Friend" (Axton Hoyt Axton Hoyt Wayne Axton was an American country music singer-songwriter, and a film and television actor. He became prominent in the early 1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voice. As he matured, some of his songwriting efforts became well... ) |
"Hippo Stomp" (Byrom Larry Byrom Larry Byrom is an American guitarist who has written, recorded, and toured with acts like Steppenwolf, Ratchell, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Peter Frampton, Eddie Rabbit and Tanya Tucker.- References :... /Kay John Kay (musician) John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf... ) |
|||
| 1971 | "Ride With Me" (Bonfire Mars Bonfire Dennis Edmonton , also known by the stage name Mars Bonfire, is a Canadian rock musician and songwriter, best known for writing the hit song "Born to Be Wild" for Steppenwolf.... ) |
"For Madmen Only" | 52 | |
| "For Ladies Only" (Edmonton Jerry Edmonton Jerry Edmonton was the drummer for the rock band, Steppenwolf.He was born Gerald McCrohan in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Both he and his brother Dennis, also known as Mars Bonfire, changed their surnames to Edmonton during the 1960s, when they performed in a group called The Sparrows... /Henry Kent Henry Kent Henry was an American guitarist and songwriter best known for his contributions to Steppenwolf and Blues Image.-Blues Image:... /Kay John Kay (musician) John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf... /McJohn Goldy McJohn Goldy McJohn is a Canadian keyboard player best known as the original keyboardist for rock group Steppenwolf. Originally a classically trained pianist, he was a pioneer in the early use of the electronic organ in heavy metal... ) |
"Sparkle Eyes" (Biondo/Kay John Kay (musician) John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf... ) |
64 | ||
| 1974 | "Straight Shootin' Woman" (Edmonton Jerry Edmonton Jerry Edmonton was the drummer for the rock band, Steppenwolf.He was born Gerald McCrohan in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Both he and his brother Dennis, also known as Mars Bonfire, changed their surnames to Edmonton during the 1960s, when they performed in a group called The Sparrows... ) |
"Justice Don't Be Slow" (Kay John Kay (musician) John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf... /Richie) |
29 | |
| 1975 | "Get Into The Wind" (Cochran Bobby Cochran Bobby Cochran is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has worked with many bands, including Steppenwolf, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Leon Russell, and Bobby and the Midnites.-External links:*, official website of Bobby Cochran... /Van Beek) |
"Morning Blue" (Biondo) | ||
| "Smokey Factory Blues" (Hammond/Hazlewood) | "A Fool's Fantasy" (McJohn Goldy McJohn Goldy McJohn is a Canadian keyboard player best known as the original keyboardist for rock group Steppenwolf. Originally a classically trained pianist, he was a pioneer in the early use of the electronic organ in heavy metal... ) |
|||
| "Caroline (Are You Ready)" (Bonfire Mars Bonfire Dennis Edmonton , also known by the stage name Mars Bonfire, is a Canadian rock musician and songwriter, best known for writing the hit song "Born to Be Wild" for Steppenwolf.... ) |
"Angeldrawers" |