The American Breed
Originally known as Gary And The Nite Lites, this Chicago-born quartet was a popular attraction throughout America's Midwest prior to achieving national fame in 1967. Gary Loizzo (b. 16 August 1945; lead vocals, guitar), Al Ciner (b. 14 May 1947; guitar, vocals), Charles Colbert (b. 29 August 1944; bass/vocals, ex-Daylighters) and Lee Graziano (b. 9 November 1943; drums) enjoyed a US Top 30 hit with "Step Out Of Your Mind", before securing a gold disc for "Bend Me, Shape Me'. Here the group's tight harmonies were perfectly offset by arranger Eddie Higgins" purposeful horn arrangement, but this excellent single failed to emulate its US success in Britain, where it was overshadowed by Amen Corner's opportunistic rendition. The American Breed enjoyed further success in their homeland with "Green Light" (1968), but their amalgamation of pop, bubblegum and soul failed to retain its appeal. Kevin Murphy joined in 1968 to add keyboards and Al Ciner, who was also briefly with the band, evolved into the first version of Ask Rufus, later truncated to Rufus.
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Top Tracks
- Bend Me Shape Me
- Radio Spot: Temperature's Rising
- Radio Spot: Partridge Weiners
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