George Biondo

Infobox Musical artist
Name = George Biondo


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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = George Michael Biondo
Alias =
Born = September 3 1945
Died =
Origin = Brooklyn, New York
Instrument = bass guitar
Voice_type =
Genre = Acid rock, hard rock, psychedelic rock, heavy metal
Occupation = Session musician, songwriter
Years_active = 1967 - present
Label = Dunhill Records Mums Records Epic Records MCA Records Dore Records
Associated_acts = The Storybook People
T.I.M.E.
Steppenwolf
The John Kay Band
Steel Rose
URL =
Notable_instruments = Ampeg AMB-1 cite web |url= http://xstrange.com/news.html |title= News & Notes |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Xstrange.com]
Wilkins P/J custom basses cite web |url= http://www.connollyandco.com/Pages/artistitem.php?the_ID=84 |title= Connolly Artist |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Connollyandco.com]

George Michael Biondo cite web |url= http://www.fineguitarconsultants.com/gmb.htm |title= Letter from George Michael Biondo of Steppenwolf |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Fineguitarconsultants.com] (born September 3 1945, Brooklyn, New York [ [http://music.msn.com/music/artist/george-biondo/ Music.msn.com] ] ) was the bass guitarist of the American rock band, Steppenwolf, from April 1970 to October 1976.cite web |url= http://www.steppenwolf.com/s/w/tree.html |title= Steppenwolf Family Tree |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Steppenwolf.com] Though born in New York, cite web |url= http://music.msn.com/artist/?artist=16112640 |title= George Biondo |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Music.msn.com] he has been based in Southern California throughout his ongoing career as a session musician and songwriter.

Early career

Biondo played bass in a Los Angeles area band called "Storybook People" during which time they released a single on Dunhill Records, which received limited airplay in Los Angelescite web |url= http://comps.ugly-things.com/compsproject/bandname.php?&lifilter=1&sbandname=The%20Storybook%20People&sbandid=7270&sboolwhole=True&ssource=filter&lispeed= |title= Searchin’ for Shakes |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Comps.ugly-things.com] . In 1968, Biondo replaced Nick St. Nicholas in another Los Angeles area band called "T.I.M.E.", when St. Nicholas departed for Steppenwolf. After T.I.M.E. guitarist Larry Byrom also left to join Steppenwolf, T.I.M.E. briefly attempted to carry on with Biondo as lead singer but never released any further recordings.

teppenwolf

In early 1970, Biondo replaced St. Nicholas a second timecite web |url= http://www.steppenwolf.com/s/w/bio.html |title= Steppenwolf Biography |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Steppenwolf.com] when he joined Steppenwolf for the recording of "Steppenwolf 7", contributing lead vocals on "Fat Jack" and co-lead vocals on "Foggy Mental Breakdown" and the chart-hit, "Who Needs Ya'".cite web |url= http://www.steppenwolf.com/s/w/making_pt2.html |title= The Making of the Music Part 2 |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Steppenwolf.com] In 1971, the band released their last new album for Dunhill, "For Ladies Only" for which Biondo wrote "Sparkle Eyes" with John Kay and "In Hopes of a Garden". He sang lead on the latter, as well as "Jaded Strumpet".cite web |url= http://www.steppenwolf.com/s/w/making_pt2.html |title= The Making of the Music Part 2 |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Steppenwolf.com] When Steppenwolf went on hiatus in 1972, Biondo became a founding member of the John Kay Band, appearing on both of Kay's solo albums on Dunhill Records.cite web |url= http://www.steppenwolf.com/s/w/making_pt2.html |title= The Making of the Music Part 2 |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Steppenwolf.com] When Steppenwolf reconvened in the mid-1970s, Biondo was brought back for the album "Slow Flux". Then writing "Two for the Love of One" for the "Hour of the Wolf" album.cite web |url= http://www.steppenwolf.com/s/w/making_pt2.html |title= The Making of the Music Part 2 |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Steppenwolf.com] Biondo later wrote "Sleep" and co-wrote the instrumental "Lip Service" with Bobby Cochran and Wayne Cook for the "Skullduggery" album in 1976.cite web |url= http://www.steppenwolf.com/s/w/making_pt3.html |title= The Making of the Music Part 3 |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Steppenwolf.com] In 1981, Biondo added backing vocals to "Wolftracks", the first studio album by John Kay and his new band, now under the moniker "John Kay & Steppenwolf".cite web |url= http://www.steppenwolf.com/s/w/making_pt3.html |title= The Making of the Music Part 3 |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Steppenwolf.com]

After Steppenwolf

In 1980, Biondo re-united with Steppenwolf co-founder Jerry Edmonton in a band called "Steel Rose". A Steel Rose single penned by Biondo, "Good That You're Gone", was released on Dore Records, and featured Biondo on lead vocals.cite web |url= http://www.connollyandco.com/Pages/artistitem.php?the_ID=84 |title= Connolly Artist |accessdate=2007-11-20 |format= HTML |work= Connollyandco.com] When Steel Rose disbanded in 1984 Biondo returned to writing and freelance club and session work.

Discography

tudio albums

*"7"
1970
U.S. #19
"Gold"
Dunhill Records
*"For Ladies Only"
1971
U.S. #54
Dunhill Records
*"Forgotten Songs and Unsung Heroes"
1972
Dunhill Records
*"My Sportin Life" ("Sing with the Children" only)
1973
Dunhill Records
*"Slow Flux"
1974
U.S. #47
Mums Records
*"Hour of the Wolf"
1975
U.S. #155
Epic Records
*"Skullduggery"
1976
Epic Records
*"Wolftracks"
1982
Attic Records
*"Good That You're Gone"
1984
Dore Records

Compilations

*""
1971
U.S. #24
"Gold"
Dunhill Records
*"Rest In Peace"
1972
U.S. #62
Dunhill Records
*"16 Greatest Hits"
1973
U.S. #152
"Gold"
Dunhill Records
*"The ABC Collection"
1976
ABC Records
*"Reborn To Be Wild"
1976
Epic Records
*"Born to Be Wild - A Retrospective"
1991
MCA Records
*"All Time Greatest Hits"
1999
MCA Records
*""
2000
"Gold"
Universal Music Group
*"Steppenwolf Gold"
2005
Geffen Records

ingles

References