Rhinoceros (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Paul A. Rothchild, Frazier Mohawk |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Rhinoceros was a rock ensemble from the United States, established in 1967 through auditions arranged by Elektra Records, rather than arising naturally from musicians uniting on their own. Although the group earned admiration in certain circles, it did not achieve the commercial success anticipated by the label. Their initial album experienced slow sales, followed by two subsequent records that saw even less success, ultimately leading to the band's breakup. One critic remarked that Rhinoceros' impact on rock music warrants greater acknowledgment than it has historically received.
Formation
The band Rhinoceros was assembled by Paul A. Rothchild, a talent scout and producer for Elektra Records, alongside producer Frazier Mohawk (formerly Barry Friedman), who recruited individual skilled musicians to create the group. While Mohawk had previously played a role in forming Buffalo Springfield, Rhinoceros was put together through a more structured third-party process.
In September 1967, Rothchild and Mohawk conducted auditions at Mohawk's residence in Laurel Canyon, selecting Doug Hastings (guitar) and Alan Gerber (keyboards and vocals). A subsequent audition held in November 1967 at a motel in Los Angeles expanded the lineup with John Finley (vocals) and Danny Weis (guitar). Finley and bassist Peter Hodgson had formerly been part of Jon and Lee & the Checkmates, a band Rothchild had previously considered signing.
Danny Weis, an original member of Iron Butterfly, recommended his former bandmate Jerry Penrod as bassist, who was accepted into Rhinoceros. Keyboardist Michael Fonfara, previously with The Electric Flag, joined after fulfilling his prior commitments. Drummer John Keleihor from The Daily Flash contributed to early recordings but departed shortly thereafter; he was succeeded by Billy Mundi, formerly of the Mothers of Invention. Hastings had also been associated with The Daily Flash and briefly filled in for Neil Young in Buffalo Springfield during Young's absence.
Career
Initially, the members collaborated as backing musicians on David Ackles' 1968 debut album. That same year, Rhinoceros released their self-titled first album, produced by Paul Rothchild. Despite receiving positive critical reviews, it did not achieve significant commercial success. Nevertheless, the instrumental track "Apricot Brandy," composed by Weis and Fonfara, reached No. 46 on the Billboard charts, served as a signature tune for BBC radio broadcasts, and was later covered by Danny Gatton for the 1990 compilation Rubáiyát. Another song, "I Will Serenade You" written by John Finley, was covered by Three Dog Night under the title "Let Me Serenade You", reaching No. 17 on US charts in 1973. Their rendition of "You're My Girl (I Don't Want To Discuss It)" was also covered by Amen Corner in 1969 and by Rod Stewart in 1970. Rhinoceros released "I Will Serenade You" as their US debut single, while "You're My Girl" served as their UK debut in 1968; these tracks were alternately featured as A- or B-sides depending on the market.
During the following two years, personnel changes occurred alongside two additional albums. For their second release, Satin Chickens (1969), production duties shifted from Rothchild and Mohawk to David Anderle. After recording concluded, bassist Jerry Penrod abruptly exited and was briefly replaced by Danny Weis' brother Steve before Peter Hodgson—Finley's cousin and former member of Jon and Lee & The Checkmates as well as David Clayton-Thomas Combine—assumed bass duties. Prior to the third album, guitarist Doug Hastings left and was succeeded by Larry Leishman, another alumnus of The Checkmates with experience in Freedom Fair and Bobby Kris & The Imperials. Alan Gerber departed due to disagreements with manager Billy Fields over refusing to perform at Woodstock, followed soon after by drummer Billy Mundi. Their positions were filled by Duke Edwards—manager and drummer for The Checkmates—who had previously collaborated with Leishman in The Duke Edwards Cycle. This ensemble—comprising John Finley (vocals), Danny Weis (guitars), Michael Fonfara (organ), Peter Hodgson (bass), Larry Leishman (guitars), and Duke Edwards (drums, vocals)—relocated to New York to record their final album, Better Times Are Coming (1970). Following performances at Fillmore East, Edwards was replaced initially by Richard Crooks, drummer for Dr. John, then by Malcolm Tomlinson, who remained until the band's dissolution around mid-1971.
Blackstone
After Rhinoceros dissolved in 1971, John Finley, Michael Fonfara, Peter Hodgson, Danny Weis, and Larry Leishman established Blackstone. Weis characterized the band as "an effort to regain some of the enjoyment we experienced with Rhinoceros." Their album On the Line was released in 1973 through the Canadian label GRT, with production by Paul Rothchild. The group ceased activities soon thereafter.
Members
- John Finley – lead vocals (1967–1971, 2009)
- Michael Fonfara – organ, piano (1967–1971, 2009)
- Danny Weis – guitar, piano (1967–1971, 2009)
- Doug Hastings – guitar (1967–1970)
- Alan Gerber – vocals, piano (1967–1969, 2009)
- Jerry "The Bear" Penrod – bass (1967–1969)
- John Keleihor – drums (1967–1968)
- Billy Mundi – drums (1968–1969)
- Steve Weis – bass (1969)
- Peter Hodgson – bass (1969–1971, 2009)
- Larry Leishman – guitar (1969–1971)
- Duke Edwards – drums, vocals (1969–1970)
- Richard Crooks – drums (1970)
- Malcolm Tomlinson – drums (1970–1971)
- Bernie LaBarge – guitar (2009)
- Mike Sloski – drums (2009)
Lineups
| 1967 – 1968 | 1968 – Early 1969 | Early 1969 – April 1969 | April 1969 – Mid 1969 |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Mid 1969 | 1969 | 1969 – 1970 | 1970 |
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| 1970 – 1971 | 1971–2009 | 2009 | |
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Disbanded | valign=top |
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Albums
- Rhinoceros (1968)
- Satin Chickens (1969)
- Better Times Are Coming (1970)
Singles
- 1968: “You're My Girl" / "I Will Serenade You”
- 1969: “Apricot Brandy" / "When You Say You're Sorry”
- 1969: “I Need Love" / "Belbuekus”
- 1969: “Back Door" / "In a Little Room”
- 1970: “Old Age" / "Let's Party”
- 1970: “Better Times" / "It's a Groovy World”