Ten Wheel Drive
| Ten Wheel Drive | |
|---|---|
The group in 1970
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| Background information | |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Jazz-rock |
| Years active | 1968–1974 |
| Past members |
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Ten Wheel Drive were an American jazz-rock band that existed from 1968 to 1974.
In 1968, after the final break-up of the all-female rock band Goldie & The Gingerbreads , Genya Ravan was looking for a new band, as were two New Jersey musicians and songwriters, Michael Zager and Aram Schefrin. Acquainted by their managers, the three musicians would become the nucleus of the new band.
More musicians had to be found for the rhythm and brass sections. With the exception of Ravan, only people who were able to read sheet music were hired. In 1969 the band started to perform regularly and attract positive reviews. Record company wanted to make Ravan the second Janis Joplin.
At the same time, Polydor Records was forming an American division. Its new President, Jerry Schoenbaum, closed a deal with Ten Wheel Drive, and together with producer Walter Raim the band released its first album, Construction #1.
Ten Wheel Drive's first big concert appearance was in 1969 at the Fillmore East in New York City. Apart from the band's intense musical presence, Ravan caused some excitement when she took off her transparent vest and continued the performance half-naked with painted breasts and shoulders.
In the summer of the same year, Ten Wheel Drive appeared at the Atlanta Pop Festival. On this occasion Ravan and Janis Joplin, who had previously often been compared, met in person for the second time, having first met at Steve Paul's The Scene when Joplin sat in with the band.
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