Emitt Rhodes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emitt Rhodes
Emitt Rhodes, 1973
Background information
Birth name	Emitt Lynn Rhodes
Born	(1950-02-25)February 25, 1950 Decatur, Illinois, US
Origin	Hawthorne, California
Died	July 19, 2020(2020-07-19) (aged 70) Hawthorne, California, US
Genres	Power pop psychedelic pop baroque pop
Instruments	Vocals, drums, guitar, piano, bass guitar, percussion
Years active	1964–2020
Labels	A&M Dunhill Omnivore Recordings
Associated acts	The Palace Guard The Merry-Go-Round

Emitt Lynn Rhodes (born February 25, 1950 – died July 19, 2020) was an American musician. He was a singer, songwriter, and could play many instruments. He even recorded his own music! People called him the "One-Man Beatles." This was because his songs and music skills were so much like the famous band, The Beatles.

Emitt started his music journey at just 14 years old. He played drums for a band called the Palace Guard. Later, he joined the Merry-Go-Round and played many different instruments. He wrote or helped write almost all the songs on their only album. After that band broke up, Emitt started making music by himself. He recorded his first solo album in his own home studio. He released two more solo albums after that. His music career slowed down in 1973 because of some problems with his record company.

After many years, Emitt Rhodes surprised everyone. He released a new album in 2016 called Rainbow Ends. Many people who loved his unique music were very excited.

Emitt Rhodes' Music Journey

Emitt Rhodes was born in Decatur, Illinois. His family moved to Hawthorne, California, when he was five. He began playing music in 1964. He was 14 years old and played drums for the Palace Guard. He left that band in 1965.

Starting The Merry-Go-Round

In the summer of 1966, Emitt formed a new band. It was called the Merry-Go-Round, and he started it with three friends. Emitt played guitar and wrote the songs for the band. Their only album came out in 1967. Their first song, "Live," was a hit. It reached number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Solo Career Begins

The Merry-Go-Round broke up in 1969. Emitt had a contract to record more songs for A&M Records. He recorded them, but the company didn't release them right away. These songs later came out as an album called The American Dream.

Emitt decided to record music on his own. He bought equipment and built a recording studio. It was in his parents' garage! He recorded his first solo album there. It was called Emitt Rhodes. He then signed a contract with ABC/Dunhill Records. This company released his first solo album. They also released his next two albums, Mirror and Farewell to Paradise.

Success and Style

His first solo album was very popular with music critics. Billboard magazine called him "one of the finest artists." They even said his album was one of the "best albums of the decade." The album reached number 29 on the Billboard charts. His song "Fresh as a Daisy" also did well. It reached number 54 on the pop chart.

Emitt's music sounded a lot like the Beatles. Some fans even thought his songs were by Paul McCartney. Emitt said this was "really flattering." He looked up to The Beatles as his idols.

Emitt wrote all the songs on his albums. He also played every instrument himself. This included drums, guitar, piano, and bass. He sang all the vocals too! He recorded everything in his home studio. He used a special machine called a four-track recorder. This let him record different parts of the song separately.

His contract with Dunhill Records was very demanding. It asked for a new album every six months. This was very hard for Emitt to do. He was writing all the songs and playing all the instruments by himself. Because he couldn't release albums that fast, there were some problems with the record company.

Later Years and New Music

After his album Farewell to Paradise in 1973, Emitt stopped releasing new music for a long time. He still recorded songs in his studio. He also worked as a recording engineer for other artists. This means he helped other musicians record their music.

In 2001, one of his old songs was in a movie. The song "Lullabye" was featured in the film The Royal Tenenbaums. A documentary movie was made about Emitt's life. It was called The One Man Beatles. The movie showed his journey and his hopes. It was nominated for an award in 2010.

New Recordings in the 2010s

In 2009, Emitt went back to recording music. He worked with a new band. In 2010, he released a new version of his song "Time Will Show the Wiser." This was his first new song in almost 40 years! A tribute album was also released. It had other artists singing Emitt's songs.

In 2011, Emitt released three new songs online. They were called "Just Me And You," "What's A Man to Do," and "This Wall Between Us." These songs featured singers from the band The Bangles.

Rainbow Ends Album

In 2014, Emitt started working on a new album. He worked with a musician and producer named Chris Price. They recorded the songs in Emitt's original home studio. The album was meant to sound like his earlier work.

He also recorded a cover song for a tribute album. It was the Bee Gees hit "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart." This recording was released as a special record for Record Store Day.

On February 26, 2016, Emitt's first album in 43 years was released. It was called Rainbow Ends. Many other famous musicians helped on the album. It received great reviews from music magazines. Many people were happy to hear new music from Emitt Rhodes.

Passing Away

Emitt Rhodes passed away peacefully on July 19, 2020. He was in Hawthorne, California. The news was confirmed by Tony Blass, who made the documentary about him. Tony said he was "honoured and blessed to have worked and spent time with him." Emitt had two sons and one daughter. He was engaged to his partner, Valerie Eaton, when he died.

Discography

Studio albums

with the Merry-Go-Round:

• The Merry-Go-Round by the Merry-Go-Round (1967), Billboard 200 No. 190

solo

• The American Dream (1970) No. 194
• Emitt Rhodes (1970) No. 29
• Mirror (1971) No. 182
• Farewell to Paradise (1973)
• Rainbow Ends (2016) No. 150

Singles

with the Merry-Go-Round:

• "Live" (1967) – US Billboard Hot 100 No. 63
• "Time Will Show the Wiser" (1967)
• "You're a Very Lovely Woman" – (1967) US Billboard Hot 100 No. 94
• "She Laughed Loud"
• "Listen, Listen"
• "'Til the Day After"

solo:

• "Fresh as a Daisy" (1970) US Billboard #54, AUS #69
• "You Take the Dark Out of the Night"
• "Live Till You Die" (1971) US Cashbox No. 103
• "With My Face on the Floor"
• "Love Will Stone You"
• "Really Wanted You" (1971) US Cashbox No. 108
• "Golden Child of God"
• "Tame The Lion" / "Those That Die" (1972) US Record World No. 138
• "Isn't It So?"
• "Just Me And You", "What's A Man To Do" / "This Wall Between Us" Released on iTunes, November 3, 2011 (removed from sale); Remixes released on iTunes, February 20, 2015.
• "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" / with Chris Price "Please Read Me" B-side. Limited edition release for Record Store Day, April 18, 2015.

Collections

• Daisy-Fresh from Hawthorne, California (The Best of the Dunhill Years)

Daisy-Fresh includes all of the songs from Emitt Rhodes, six songs from Mirror, four songs from Farewell to Paradise, plus the single "Tame the Lion". Released in 1998 by Edsel Records (EDCD 569).

• Listen, Listen: The Best of Emitt Rhodes

Listen, Listen contains five songs from the Merry-Go-Round, one song from The American Dream, seven songs from Emitt Rhodes, four songs from Mirror, two songs from Farewell to Paradise, plus the single "Tame the Lion" and the previously-unreleased 1980 song "Isn't it So". Released in 1995 by Varèse Sarabande – VSD-5612, Varèse Vintage (VSD-5612).

• The Merry-Go-Round: Listen, Listen: The Definitive Collection

A nearly complete collection of Merry-Go-Round songs, almost all written and sung by Rhodes. The Merry-Go-Round (stereo version) and American Dream LPs are included in their entirety, as are the mono mix of "Time Will Show the Wiser" and a few non-album singles. Not included are the mono mix of The Merry-Go-Round and the unique single mixes of "Come Ride, Come Ride" and "'Til the Day After". Released in 2005 by Rev-Ola (cr rev 110).

• Royal Tenenbaums: Collector's Edition CD

"Lullabye" appears.

• The Emitt Rhodes Recordings (1969–1973)

A two CD Collection released in 2009 by Hip-O Select, A&M Records, Geffen Records (B0012926-02):

• CD 1: The American Dream (all thirteen songs from both versions) and Emitt Rhodes
• CD 2: Mirror and Farewell to Paradise, plus the single "Tame the Lion"