Smoke Rise (band)

Smoke Rise was an American progressive rock band in 1969-1972. Its members were brothers Hank Ruffin (keyboards), Gary Ruffin (guitar), and Stan Ruffin (drums), and Randy Bugg (bass guitar). In 1970, they created the first American Rock Opera, "The Survival of St. Joan", based on a play and a libretto by James Lineberger and produced by Oscar-winner Stephen Schwartz and Dave Blume.

The Buffalo Production of "The Survival of St. Joan" set box office records in the fall of 1970 at the Studio Arena Theater in Buffalo, NY. The New York Off-Broadway production was staged at the Anderson Theater in the East Village, with Gretchen Corbett (later of "Rockford Files" fame) playing the title role. Another Oscar winner, F. Murray Abraham, was also a member of the cast.

The artwork by Doug Jamieson for the cover of the double album (Paramount PAS 9000) was displayed in the New York Museum of Modern Art.

In 1972 they replaced Randy Bugg on bass guitar with Bill Turpin (son, Will, is a member of Collective Soul), and added Bob Sellmansberger (former band member now returned from military service) on guitar and put out a rock single, co-written and produced by Joey Levine, "I Need a Woman" (ATCO Records 45-6851). Its B-side was a bluesy "Late Last Friday Night", written by Gary.

Smoke Rise was known as a very melodic group with smooth 3 and 4 part harmonies, searing guitar solos and fills, and a tight rhythm section that rocked with the best groups of the 60's and 70's.

To date, their works have not been issued on compact disc.