Jump to content

Climax (band)

From Alfawiki
Climax
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1970 in Los Angeles, California, United States
FateDisbanded in 1976
Area served
United States, notably Hawaii
Key people
Sonny Geraci (lead vocalist), Walter D. Nims (guitarist, songwriter), Nick D'Amico (keyboardist, composer), Jon Jon Guttman (drummer)
ProductsMusic albums and singles

Climax was a United States-based musical group established in 1970 in Los Angeles, California. They are chiefly recognized for their 1971-1972 chart-topping single "Precious and Few", which climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured the No. 1 position on Cashbox magazine's Top 100. This track surpassed one million copies sold and earned gold certification from the RIAA on February 21, 1972.

Career

The original lineup of Climax included lead vocalist Sonny Geraci, guitarist and songwriter Walter D. Nims, keyboardist and composer Nick D'Amico, alongside drummer Jon Jon Guttman, who also contributed several compositions to their sole album. After D'Amico left in 1971, Johnny Stevenson joined as a second keyboardist. At some stage, Rick Lipp also performed keyboards with the ensemble. The group’s sound was significantly influenced by executive producer Marc Gordon and producer Larry Cox. Active from 1970 until 1976, Climax released one album, several singles, and a number of unreleased recordings but are predominantly remembered as a one-hit wonder due to limited commercial success beyond "Precious and Few."

Origins

Climax originated from the 1960s band The Outsiders, featuring former members Geraci, Nims, and D'Amico, who were joined by Guttman. Prior to changing their name, they issued singles under The Outsiders moniker until legal complications involving original member Tom King necessitated a rebranding to Climax. The band signed with Marc Gordon's Carousel label (which was later renamed Rocky Road), with initial releases distributed through Bell Records. Their debut single under the Climax name, "Hard Rock Group," did not achieve notable recognition.

Scoring a hit

The band's most successful track, "Precious and Few," was initially recorded in 1970 with producer Ron Kramer and arranged by Nick D'Amico. Later, producer Larry Cox—appointed by label head Marc Gordon to polish the band's material—revised the song. Cox, who would later gain fame working with Jefferson Starship, was introduced to Climax through soon-to-be keyboardist Johnny Stevenson. He advised lead singer Sonny Geraci to capitalize on his talent for emotive ballads, prompting a re-recording of "Precious and Few."

Although initially shelved in Bell Records' vaults, the single attracted attention when a Bell executive heard it playing on a Santa Barbara radio station. Carousel tested its release in Hawaii before it gained national popularity. By February 26, 1972, "Precious and Few" had reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and secured the top spot on Cashbox magazine's Top 100.

This track marked the industry debut of vocal arranger Tom Bahler. Hired by Cox, Bahler and his brother John went on to become prominent arrangers and session vocalists during the late 1960s and 1970s, contributing notably to The Partridge Family recordings.

Subsequent career

Their follow-up single, "Life and Breath," penned by George S. Clinton, attained No. 1 status in Hawaii, reached No. 11 at Los Angeles’ KHJ station, peaked at No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100, and climbed to No. 15 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart. Climax also was the first group to record "Rock and Roll Heaven", written for Geraci by Alan O'Day along with keyboardist Johnny Stevenson—who replaced D'Amico in 1971. This song later became a comeback hit for The Righteous Brothers in 1974.

Following "Life and Breath," Climax found it difficult to sustain their initial success. Label owner Marc Gordon—also managing acts such as The 5th Dimension and Al Wilson—had limited resources to fully promote Climax’s career. This impacted subsequent singles like "Rock and Roll Heaven" and "Caroline This Time."

In 1972, they released the album Climax Featuring Sonny Geraci, which included core members plus session musicians such as bassists Joe Osborn, Steve La Fever, Reinie Press; keyboardist Larry Knechtel; drummers John Raines and Earl Palmer; percussionist Alan Estes; and woodwind soloist Gordon MacKinnon. Despite the popularity of "Precious and Few," the album only reached No. 177 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Later singles such as "Walking in the Georgia Rain" were credited as "Sonny Geraci and Climax." Producer Steve Cropper collaborated with them on four new tracks; however, only "It's Gonna Get Better" was released before the group dissolved.

Keyboardist Johnny Stevenson also issued a solo instrumental single through Rocky Road Records.

During their tenure with Rocky Road, Climax achieved four top-five hits specifically in Hawaii: "Precious and Few," "Life and Breath," "Caroline This Time," and "Walking in the Georgia Rain."

"Precious and Few" appeared in season 17 of CBS's NCIS series. In 2023, TJL Media Archives published Sonny Geraci’s final national television performance of this song from a PBS solo appearance.

Legacy/Aftermath

Industry professionals have suggested that Climax possessed more potential than was ultimately realized but were hampered by inadequate promotion and management strategies. The follow-up single "Life and Breath" suffered from insufficient marketing support and budget constraints that hindered its success. After this setback, attention to their only album, Climax featuring Sonny Geraci, also waned under the label’s oversight, reducing their visibility in the market. Nevertheless, according to a 2011 interview with Geraci, "Precious and Few" remained a favored choice at proms and weddings.

Walter Nims, who served as lead guitarist and principal songwriter, passed away in 2000 at age 56 due to a stroke. Jon Guttman died following a traffic accident in 2003 at approximately age 55 or 56. Sonny Geraci died in 2017 at age 70.

Discography

Albums

Climax released only one album: Climax Featuring Sonny Geraci (1972) on Rocky Road Records containing twelve tracks—some of which served as B-sides for singles—and it peaked at No. 177 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break

Side One
  1. "Life and Breath" – (3:17)
  2. "I've Got Everything" – (3:16)
  3. "Postlude" – (0:38) (instrumental orchestral reprise of "I've Got Everything")
  4. "Picnic in the Rain" – (3:29)
  5. "Face the Music" – (3:00)
  6. "Precious and Few" – (2:43)

Template:Col-break

Side Two
  1. "It's Coming Today" – (3:02)
  2. "Rainbow Rides Are Free" – (3:06)
  3. "If It Feels Good - Do It" – (3:33)
  4. "Merlin" – (4:18)
  5. "Prelude" – (0:48) (instrumental orchestral version of "Life and Breath")
  6. "Child of December" – (3:15)

Template:Col-end

In 1979, Koala Records issued a compilation titled Picnic in the Rain, which featured only two selections from this original album.

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break

Side One
  1. "Changes" – (2:48)
  2. "Somebody's Watching You" – (4:02)
  3. "The War" – (3:28)
  4. "Small World" – (2:47)
  5. "Child of December" – (3:19)

Template:Col-break

Side Two
  1. "Hard Rock Group" – (3:15)
  2. "Park Preserve" – (5:26)
  3. "Easy Evil" – (4:08)
  4. "Searchin'" – (4:06)
  5. "Picnic in the Rain" – (3:17)

Template:Col-end

Notable details: - Both "Changes" and "Hard Rock Group" were A-sides of singles; notably, "Hard Rock Group" appears exclusively in stereo on this LP. - The full unedited stereo version of "Park Preserve," originally a B-side to "Precious and Few," is included. - The tracks “Child of December” and “Picnic in the Rain” are taken from the original album. - Remaining songs had not been previously released.

In 1980 Koala released If It Feels Good, erroneously attributed to Climax Blues Band rather than Climax proper. This compilation largely recycled songs from their ’72 album but incorporated three exclusive tracks.

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break

Side One
  1. "I've Got Everything"
  2. "Ain't Going Nowhere"
  3. "Don't Start Something You Can't Finish"
  4. "Waitin' for the End to Come"
  5. "It's Coming Today"

Template:Col-break

Side Two
  1. "Rainbow Rides Are Free"
  2. "If It Feels Good Do It"
  3. "Merlin"
  4. "Life and Breath"

Template:Col-end

Additional notes: - “Ain't Going Nowhere” represents an early partial version of “Park Preserve,” featuring different guitar solos, horn arrangements, and vocals. - “Don't Start Something You Can't Finish,” composed by Nims, appears solely on this release. - “Waitin' for the End to Come,” also written by Nims, is presented here in stereo format.

LP of Sounds Like the Navy radio show appearance

In 1972 Climax performed live during an in-studio session for the promotional radio program Sounds Like the Navy, which was distributed as two LPs exclusively for radio stations. These recordings lacked orchestral accompaniment but featured many previously released songs alongside several original compositions by Nims that remain unreleased elsewhere.

The broadcast was segmented into four episodes of approximately fifteen minutes each containing complete performances of tracks including: "I've Got Everything", "I Can't Quit Her", "Life and Breath", "The Lady is a Nasty Dancer", "Picnic in the Rain", "Going Through the Motions", "Droopy Shoulders", "Wait For You", "Child of December", "Hand Me Down My Rock n' Roll Shoes", "Face the Music", and "Precious and Few". Partial segments aired included “If It Feels Good Do It,” “Diving Duck Blues,” "The Cage,” and “Rainbow Rides Are Free.”

Singles

  • "Lovin' You" / "Think I'm Fallin'" (released as Sonny Geraci on Capitol; both songs written by Walter Nims)
  • "Changes" / "Lost in My World" (issued as The Outsiders via Bell; both composed by Nims)
  • "Hard Rock Group" / "Child of December" (early version; A-side written by Nims)
  • "Precious and Few" (No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100) / "Park Preserve" (B-side by Nims; extended version available on compilation CD)
  • "Life and Breath" (No. 52 on Billboard Hot 100) / "If It Feels Good Do It" (B-side later covered by The Stories)
  • "Caroline This Time" / "Rainbow Rides Are Free" (non-album A-side written by Nims)
  • "Rock and Roll Heaven" / "Face the Music" (non-album A-side penned by Stevenson & O'Day; lyrics altered for The Righteous Brothers’ rendition)
  • "Walking in the Georgia Rain" / "Picnic in the Rain" (credited as Sonny Geraci & Climax; non-album A-side by John Rhys)
  • "It's Gonna Get Better" / "Let This Song Through" (credited as Sonny Geraci & Climax; A-side composed by Geraci; B-side by Stevenson)

Unreleased songs

(Some tracks intended for an unreleased second album)

  • “Waiting for the End to Come” (planned Metromedia A-side around ’69; included on compilation CD)
  • “Hand Me Down My Rock n' Roll Shoes”
  • “Droopy Shoulders”
  • “Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore”
  • “Young Boy” (written by Lee Dresser)
  • “Rosemary Blue” (by Sedaka/Greenfield)
  • “Searchin'” (cover of The Coasters)
  • “Wait for You” (cover of Neil Young)
  • “The War” (Lee Michaels composition)
  • “Easy Evil”
  • “Somebody's Watching You” (by Sly Stone)
  • “Small World”
  • “Don't Start Something You Can't Finish”
  • “Let This Song Through”

CD issues

Three official budget-label compact discs have been issued without remastering.

The first CD titled Precious and Few released by KRB Records/Classic Sound in 1997 listed ten tracks but actually contained eleven:

  1. "Precious and Few"
  2. "Life and Breath"
  3. "Merlin"
  4. ”Picnic in the Rain” (“Postlude” precedes it unlisted)
  5. ”Rock and Roll Heaven”
  6. ”Park Preserve” (extended version)
  7. ”Rainbow Rides Are Free”
  8. ”Waiting for the End to Come”
  9. ”It's Coming Today”
  10. ”If It Feels Good Do It”

The second compilation titled The Best of Climax featuring Sonny Geraci issued by Wise Buy Records in 1998 included fifteen tracks plus one hidden song encompassing many unreleased recordings:

  1. ”Precious and Few”
  2. ”Life and Breath”
  3. ”Rainbow Rides Are Free”
  4. ”If It Feels Good Do It”
  5. ”Searchin'”
  6. ”Picnic in the Rain” (without Postlude)
  7. ”Walking in the Georgia Rain”
  8. ”Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore”
  9. ”Rosemary Blue”
  10. ”Droopy Shoulders”
  11. ”Caroline This Time” (longer than single version)
  12. ”Young Boy”
  13. ”It's Coming Today”
  14. ”Merlin”
  15. ”Child of December” (with unlisted Prelude)

A third compilation released in 2002 is available via iTunes, featuring:

  1. ”Precious and Few”
  2. ”Life and Breath”
  3. ”Merlin”
  4. ”Park Preserve”
  5. ”Picnic in the Rain”
  6. ”Rainbow Rides Are Free”
  7. ”Waiting for the End to Come”
  8. ”It's Coming Today”
  9. ”If It Feels Good Do It”
  10. ”I've Got Everything”
  11. ”Child of December”
  12. ”Searchin'” (shortened single version)
  13. ”The War”

Various bootleg collections exist including a comprehensive twenty-six-track compilation entitled The Best of Climax.

See also

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Climax_(band)&oldid=79515"