Riders of the Purple Sage (band)
Encyclopedia
Riders of the Purple Sage was a name used by three (3) separate western
bands in the United States
.
The original Riders of the Purple Sage was formed in 1936 by singer and guitarist Buck Page
. The group spent three years as the staff band for radio station KDKA
in Pittsburgh, performing five hour-long shows each week. In 1938 the band went to New York City
and performed on radio station WOR
and at various venues such as the famous nightclub called the Village Barn.
It should be also noted in some circles that in 1932 there was another "Riders of the Purple Sage" for approx. 2 years on the West Coast in the L.A. area formed by Jack Dalton.
Buck Page's Riders of the Purple Sage first brought the name and Western 3 part harmony to the Country on Coast to Coast radio prior to having to end their successful careers during World War II
as members fulfilled their military commitments. Later in California
, however, a radio DJ and singer from Texas, Foy Willing organized a second band known as Riders of the Purple Sage while Buck Page and his "Riders" were in the military. Willing's band performed in several movies during the 1940s and had a string of hit recordings. It disbanded in 1952.
Page's original Riders of the Purple Sage is often incorrectly credited with the film appearances and recordings by Willing's band, according to Gary Bright of RPS Records, Page's recording label and management.
However, it is historically very clear that Buck Page was instrumental in the beginning of what became known as Western Music's flagship Cowboy Band called the Riders of the Purple Sage.
In the early 1960s Page, who relocated to California after World War II, once again organized his Riders of the Purple Sage band. This band released three CDs
and toured the cowboy festival circuit until circa 2003 when Page disbanded the classic Cowboy/ Western band.
The latest incarnation of the group was formed by former members/ employee's of Buck Page's "Riders of the Purple Sage". Billed first as "Foy Willing's Riders of the Purple Sage," This group currently plays mostly in Southern California. The band is fronted by Cody Bryant (Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin). He is joined by another past employee of Page Mike Ley (Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonicas), Evan Marshall (Vocals, Mandolin, Fiddle), Jimmy Harris (Vocals, Bass), and Landon McCoy (Drums) -- although the personnel often changes for live concerts.
Buck Page's and Jack Dalton's band derived the name from the title of a Zane Grey
novel
. In 1932 (when Jack Dalton formed his Riders of the Purple Sage) Buck Page was 9 years old and at 13 when he formed his "Riders of the Purple Sage" Coast to Coast radio was non existent. With Page on the East Coast and Dalton on the West coast it is uncertain if either would have know of each others band.
When Page and his "Riders" were forced to case their instruments to serve in the military they did so during the peak of their successful live performances and radio appearances. Page's "Riders of the Purple Sage" are credited with establishing great momentum in what was becoming a very popular music in the late 1930's and 1940's.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
bands in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The original Riders of the Purple Sage was formed in 1936 by singer and guitarist Buck Page
Buck Page
Buck Page founded the first western band known as Riders of the Purple Sage.Page, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began performing on local radio at age 11...
. The group spent three years as the staff band for radio station KDKA
KDKA (AM)
KDKA is a radio station licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Created by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on November 2, 1920, it is one of the world's first modern radio stations , a distinction that has also been challenged by other stations, although it has claimed to be the first in...
in Pittsburgh, performing five hour-long shows each week. In 1938 the band went to New York City
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...
and performed on radio station WOR
WOR (AM)
WOR is a class A , AM radio station located in New York, New York, U.S., operating on 710 kHz. The station has a talk format and has been owned by Buckley Broadcasting since 1987, after the station was sold by RKO. The station has conservative, or right-of-center hosts.Its call letters have no...
and at various venues such as the famous nightclub called the Village Barn.
It should be also noted in some circles that in 1932 there was another "Riders of the Purple Sage" for approx. 2 years on the West Coast in the L.A. area formed by Jack Dalton.
Buck Page's Riders of the Purple Sage first brought the name and Western 3 part harmony to the Country on Coast to Coast radio prior to having to end their successful careers during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as members fulfilled their military commitments. Later in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, however, a radio DJ and singer from Texas, Foy Willing organized a second band known as Riders of the Purple Sage while Buck Page and his "Riders" were in the military. Willing's band performed in several movies during the 1940s and had a string of hit recordings. It disbanded in 1952.
Page's original Riders of the Purple Sage is often incorrectly credited with the film appearances and recordings by Willing's band, according to Gary Bright of RPS Records, Page's recording label and management.
However, it is historically very clear that Buck Page was instrumental in the beginning of what became known as Western Music's flagship Cowboy Band called the Riders of the Purple Sage.
In the early 1960s Page, who relocated to California after World War II, once again organized his Riders of the Purple Sage band. This band released three CDs
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
and toured the cowboy festival circuit until circa 2003 when Page disbanded the classic Cowboy/ Western band.
The latest incarnation of the group was formed by former members/ employee's of Buck Page's "Riders of the Purple Sage". Billed first as "Foy Willing's Riders of the Purple Sage," This group currently plays mostly in Southern California. The band is fronted by Cody Bryant (Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin). He is joined by another past employee of Page Mike Ley (Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonicas), Evan Marshall (Vocals, Mandolin, Fiddle), Jimmy Harris (Vocals, Bass), and Landon McCoy (Drums) -- although the personnel often changes for live concerts.
Buck Page's and Jack Dalton's band derived the name from the title of a Zane Grey
Zane Grey
Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the Old West. Riders of the Purple Sage was his bestselling book. In addition to the success of his printed works, they later had second lives and continuing influence...
novel
Riders of the Purple Sage
Riders of the Purple Sage is Zane Grey's best-known novel, originally published in 1912. Most critics agree that it played a significant role in shaping the formula of the popular Western genre.- Plot in a paragraph :...
. In 1932 (when Jack Dalton formed his Riders of the Purple Sage) Buck Page was 9 years old and at 13 when he formed his "Riders of the Purple Sage" Coast to Coast radio was non existent. With Page on the East Coast and Dalton on the West coast it is uncertain if either would have know of each others band.
When Page and his "Riders" were forced to case their instruments to serve in the military they did so during the peak of their successful live performances and radio appearances. Page's "Riders of the Purple Sage" are credited with establishing great momentum in what was becoming a very popular music in the late 1930's and 1940's.