Chet Powers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chet Powers
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Chester William Powers, Jr. |
| Also known as | Dino Valenti, Dino Valente, Jesse Orris Farrow, Jesse Oris Farrow |
| Born | October 7, 1937 Danbury, Connecticut, United States |
| Died | November 16, 1994 (aged 57) Santa Rosa, California, United States |
| Genres | Folk, rock, blues, psychedelic rock, acid rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | Late 1950s–1994 |
| Labels | Epic, Capitol |
| Associated acts | Quicksilver Messenger Service |
Chester William Powers, Jr. (born October 7, 1937 – died November 16, 1994) was an American singer and songwriter. He was also known by his stage names, Dino Valenti or Dino Valente. He was one of the main singers for the rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service. As a songwriter, he used the name Jesse Oris Farrow.
He is most famous for writing the 1960s peace song "Get Together". He also wrote and sang two popular songs for Quicksilver Messenger Service: "Fresh Air" and "What About Me?".
Contents
The Early Years of Chet Powers
Before his music career, Powers served in the United States Air Force. He then started performing in small rock bands. These early shows took place in lounges across New England. He also played in coffeehouses in Boston and Provincetown, Massachusetts.
In the early 1960s, he performed in famous coffeehouses. These included places like the Cock 'n' Bull and the Cafe Wha?. They were located in Greenwich Village in New York City and North Beach in San Francisco. This was during the peak of the American folk-music revival.
Powers often performed with other talented singer-songwriters. These included Fred Neil, Karen Dalton, and Bob Dylan. He also played with Lou Gossett, Josh White, Len Chandler, Paul Stookey, and David Crosby. Powers inspired other musicians, especially Richie Havens. Richie Havens continued to perform some of Powers' early "train songs."
Writing "Get Together"
By 1963, Valenti/Powers moved to Los Angeles. Many important artists in the upcoming folk rock movement were gathering there. During this time, he wrote and made popular the song "Let's Get Together".
This song was often covered by other groups as "Get Together." Many different bands performed it throughout the 1960s. These included The Kingston Trio, We Five, and The Dave Clark Five. Jefferson Airplane also performed the song.
The most famous version was by The Youngbloods. Their 1967 recording reached No. 5 on the charts. It also earned a gold record in the United States when it was re-released in 1969. This re-release happened partly because a group called the National Conference of Christians and Jews used the song. They made it their theme for TV and radio commercials.
Joining Quicksilver Messenger Service
Valenti/Powers later returned to the San Francisco Bay Area. He recorded music for Autumn Records there. However, no album was ever officially released from these sessions. He had been friends with Roger McGuinn in Los Angeles. Drummer Michael Clarke also played with Valenti/Powers before joining McGuinn in The Byrds.
He also played in an early version of the San Francisco psychedelic rock group Quicksilver Messenger Service. This happened in 1964. John Cipollina, David Freiberg, and Jim Murray all joined his backing group.
While Powers was unable to perform for a time, Quicksilver Messenger Service recorded his song "Dino's Song." This song was released on their first album, Quicksilver Messenger Service (album), in 1968.
After this period, Valenti/Powers signed with CBS's Epic Records. He released his own solo album, Dino Valente, in 1968. Soon after, he opened for Jimi Hendrix at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom. This helped more people discover his music.
Quicksilver's Success
In January 1969, he traveled with Quicksilver's Gary Duncan to New York. They planned to form a new band called The Outlaws. This was just before Quicksilver's famous album Happy Trails came out in March.
The Outlaws project did not work out. This led to Gary Duncan rejoining Quicksilver. Valenti/Powers officially joined Quicksilver at their New Year's Eve concert in 1969.
He became the main songwriter for the band. Eight of the nine songs on their next album, Just for Love (August 1970), were written by Valenti/Powers. Six of these were under his songwriter name, "Jesse Oris Farrow." This included the song "Fresh Air." "Fresh Air" was a moderate hit in America, reaching No. 49 in November 1970.
He continued to be the main songwriter for their next album, What About Me? (December 1970). The song "What About Me?" reached No. 100 on the Billboard 100 chart in March 1971. Both "Fresh Air" and "What About Me?" became very popular on progressive rock and album-oriented rock radio stations. They are still heard on classic rock stations today.
Later Years and Legacy
After some band members left, Quicksilver released Quicksilver (1971) and Comin' Thru (1972). Valenti/Powers continued to lead different versions of the band. They toured off and on through 1974.
The band's 1969–1971 lineup briefly reunited in 1975 for the album Solid Silver. However, this album only reached No. 89 in the United States. Even though some members left, a version of the band with Valenti/Powers, Duncan, and Elmore continued to tour until 1979.
In the late 1980s, Powers had surgery for a brain condition. Even with some memory loss and medication effects, he kept writing songs. He also continued to play music with other musicians in Marin County.
His last big performance was a benefit concert. It took place at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall. Chet Powers passed away suddenly at his home in Santa Rosa, California, on November 16, 1994. He left behind his sister, Catherine, and three sons, Paul, Joli, and Sterling.
Pseudonyms
- Jackie Powers
- Dino Valenti
- Dino Valente
- Jesse Oris Farrow
- Jesse Otis Farrow
Discography
Solo
Albums
- Dino Valente (1968)
Singles
- Don't Let It Down / Birdses (1964)
Compilations
- Get Together... The Lost Recordings (2007)
with Quicksilver Messenger Service
- Just for Love (1970)
- What About Me (1970)
- Quicksilver (1971)
- Comin' Thru (1972)
- Solid Silver (1975)
