1967: Frijid Pink – Music AmneZia1967: Frijid Pink

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Detroit hard rockers Frijid Pink formed in 1967, originally comprised of singer Thomas Beaudry (stage name Kelly Green), guitarist Gary Ray Thompson, bassist Tom Harris, keyboardist Larry Zelanka, and drummer Richard Stevers. After two years of relentless touring throughout the southeast Michigan area, the group — substituting Harris with Beaudry on bass — signed with the Parrot label in 1969.

Although their first two singles, “Tell Me Why” and “Drivin’ Blues,” failed to attract much attention, their third effort for the company — a distorted, guitar-heavy interpretation of “The House of the Rising Sun” — reached the Top Ten on the U.S. pop charts, becoming an even bigger hit overseas. Frijid Pink’s self-titled debut LP followed in 1970, as did the follow-up Defrosted; subsequent singles including “Sing a Song for Freedom” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” however, failed to match earlier successes, and after 1972’s Earth Omen the group did not reenter the studio until recording 1975’s All Pink Inside, disbanding soon after.

Acid rock
blues rock
psychedelic rock
progressive rock
Pop/Rock
Hard Rock
Psychedelic/Garage
Detroit Rock
Blues-Rock

Detroit, MI

1970

1967–1975
2001
2007–present

Kelly Green
Gary Ray Thompson
Larry Zelanka
Rick Stevens
Brent Austin
Rick Houke
Rick Zeithaml
Chuck Mangus

Defrosted (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Frijid Pink (Parrot 71033) 1970 No. 11 in U.S.
Frijid Pink (Deram SML-R 1062); 1970; France, UK
Defrosted (Parrot 71041) 1970 No. 149 in U.S.
Defrosted (Deram SML-R 1077); 1970; France, UK
Earth Omen (Lion LN-1004) 1972
All Pink Inside (Fantasy 9464) 1975
Inner Heat (Dynasty) 2002 (unreleased)

“Tell Me Why” / “Cryin’ Shame” (Parrot 334) 1969
“Drivin’ Blues” / “God Gave Me You” (Parrot 340) 1969
“House of the Rising Sun” / “Drivin’ Blues” (Parrot 341) 1969; No. 7 on Billboard Hot 100 (February 1970), No. 3 in Canada, No. 1 in Germany, No. 4 in UK[2]
“House Of The Rising Sun” / “Drivin’ Blues” (Deram 17044); 1970, France
“House Of The Rising Sun” / “Crying Shame” (EPDM 1014); 1970, Portugal
“Sing A Song For Freedom” / “End Of The Line” (Parrot 349) 1970, No. 55 on Billboard Hot 100 (July), No. 22 in Canada
“Sing A Song For Freedom” / “End Of The Line” (DM 309); 1970, France
“Heartbreak Hotel” / “Bye Bye Blues” (Parrot 352) 1970, No. 72 on Billboard Hot 100 (December), No. 38 in Canada
“Heartbreak Hotel” / “Bye Bye Blues” (SDM 117); 1971, Portugal
“Music For The People” / “Sloony” (Parrot 355) 1971
“We’re Gonna Be There” / “Shortly Kline” (Parrot 358) 1971
“We’re Gonna Be There” / “Shortly Kline” (DM 336) 1971 France
“I Love Her” / “Lost Son” (Parrot 360) 1972
“Earth Omen” / “Lazy Day” (Lion 115) 1972
“Go Now” / “Lazy Day” (Lion 136) 1972
“Rainbow Rider” / “Earth Omen” (MGM 2006130); 1973, Germany
“Big Betty” / “Shady Lady” (Lion 158) 1973