Gypsy was an American
progressive rock
Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog; sometimes conflated with art rock) is a broad genre of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom and United States through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early 1970s. I ...
band from
Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over t ...
, formed as The Underbeats (1962–1968).
Gypsy was the house band at the
Whisky a Go Go
The Whisky a Go Go (informally nicknamed "the Whisky") is a historic nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip, corner North Clark Street, opposite North San Vicente Boule ...
,
West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Incorporated in 1984, it is home to the Sunset Strip. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, its population was 35,757. It is considered one of the most prominent gay villages in ...
from September 1969 to April 1971 and were known in 1970 for their US
''Billboard'' Hot 100 single "Gypsy Queen Part 1", which peaked at #62. The track "Dead And Gone" was played extensively on
KSHE St. Louis,
KADI St. Louis, and
KWK St. Louis. Most of Gypsy's music was composed and written by guitarist and singer
Enrico Rosenbaum
Enrico Rosenbaum (June 18, 1944 in Italy – September 10, 1979) was an American songwriter, arranger, producer, guitarist and singer. 'Rico' was a founding member of Minneapolis-Saint Paul Rock band, bands The Escapades (on New Year's Eve 19 ...
. Drummer
Bill Lordan
Bill Lordan (born May 22, 1947 in Minneapolis, MN), is an American rock music drummer who has been in a number of bands, such as The Mystics, Gypsy, Robin Trower Band and Sly & The Family Stone. He began playing in sixth grade when his teacher ...
went on to play with
Sly & the Family Stone and a long career with
Robin Trower
Robin Leonard Trower (born 9 March 1945) is an English rock guitarist who achieved success with Procol Harum throughout 1967–1971, and then again as the bandleader of his own power trio known as the Robin Trower Band.
Biography
Robin Trowe ...
. Keyboardist James Walsh continued the band in various incarnations as The James Walsh Gypsy Band.
The James Walsh Gypsy Band had one Hot 100 entry in 1978 with, "Cuz, It's You Girl" which peaked at #71.
The group has no relation to the British band of the same name formed in 1968, who recorded two albums for
United Artists Records
United Artists Records was an American record label founded by Max E. Youngstein of United Artists in 1957 to issue movie soundtracks. The label expanded into other genres, such as easy listening, jazz, pop, and R&B.
History Genres
In 1959, ...
in the UK.
Jim Johnson died of esophageal cancer in hospice care on September 26, 2019, at age 76.
James '"Owl" Walsh died of congestive heart failure at hospital in
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origi ...
, on March 4, 2023, at age 74.
Discography
Albums
*''
Gypsy'' (Metromedia, 1970)
*''
In the Garden'' (Metromedia, 1971)
*''
Antithesis
Antithesis ( Greek for "setting opposite", from "against" and "placing") is used in writing or speech either as a proposition that contrasts with or reverses some previously mentioned proposition, or when two opposites are introduced together ...
'' (RCA, 1972)
*''
Unlock the Gates'' (RCA, 1973)
Singles
*"Gypsy Queen Part I" / "Dead and Gone", (Metromedia)
*"Cuz, It's You Girl" / *Bring Yourself Around", (RCA)
*"Day After Day" / "Lean on Me", (RCA)
The James Walsh Gypsy Band albums
*''The James Walsh Gypsy Band'' (1978, RCA)
*''20 Years Ago Today'' (1996, Metro)
*''Muscle Shoals 1979'' (2008, Gypsy Family Productions)
*''I've Got The Feelin' '' (2016, Preservation; P-Vine)
. last show in St. Louis, November 4, 2017 .
References
External links
Official Gypsy websiteMinniePaul Music page for Gypsy
American progressive rock groups
Musical groups from Minnesota
{{US-rock-band-stub