Stoneground

Stoneground
Stoneground in 1971
Background information
Origin	Concord, California, U.S.
Genres	Blues-rock, album-oriented rock
Years active	1970–1984, 2003–2005
Labels	Warner Bros.
Associated acts	The Beau Brummels, Pablo Cruise, Jefferson Starship
Website	Official website
Past members	Sal Valentino Tim Barnes Luther Bildt Mike Mau John Blakeley Lynne Hughes Annie Sampson Lydia Moreno Deirdre LaPorte Pete Sears Cory Lerios Steve Price Brian Godula David Jenkins Jo Baker Fred Webb Terry Davis Sammy Piazza Lenny Lee Goldsmith Dana Moret Claudia Knauer Greg King Kelly Stephens

Stoneground was a rock band formed in 1970 in Concord, California. Originally a trio, Stoneground expanded to a 10-piece band by the time of their eponymous 1971 debut album. The group appeared in two films, Medicine Ball Caravan (1971) and Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), and released three albums before singer Sal Valentino quit in 1973. Three other band members—Cory Lerios, Steve Price and David Jenkins—left to form pop group Pablo Cruise. Stoneground continued as an act through 1982, with only Tim Barnes and Annie Sampson remaining from the early incarnation of the band. Barnes and Price led a reformed Stoneground in 2003 and released a studio album the following year.

Stoneground was formed in 1968 in the San Francisco suburb of Concord, California. The original lineup consisted of Tim Barnes (guitars, vocals), Luther Bildt (guitars, vocals), and Mike Mau (drums). Band manager and former Autumn Records executive Tom Donahue introduced the band to ex-Beau Brummels singer Sal Valentino and John Blakely (guitars, bass), both of whom joined Stoneground. Four female vocalists—Annie Sampson, Lynne Hughes, Lydia Phillips, and Deirdre LaPorte—were also added to the group. While touring America and Europe, the band added another new member, bassist/keyboardist Pete Sears, later of Jefferson Starship and Hot Tuna. Stoneground's self-titled debut album, released in early 1971, featured seven different lead singers on the album's ten tracks. The album was produced by Tom Donahue with Sal Valentino assisting on some tracks. Music journalist Robert Christgau said the album was "certainly the aptest use of Sal Valentino since the Beau Brummels were on Autumn". A Billboard review remarked that "Stoneground has a lot of advance publicity to live up to, and in light of their first LP the predictions may have been somewhat inflationary, though there's no denying the potential for excitement here".