Savage Grace (Michigan rock band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | Late 1960s |
| Headquarters | Detroit, Michigan , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Music albums |
Savage Grace was a rock ensemble originating from Detroit, Michigan during the late 1960s. Their inaugural album, bearing the band's name, was issued by Reprise in 1970. Following their move to Los Angeles in 1971, they launched a follow-up record titled Savage Grace 2. The group dissolved in 1972 but later reunited in the 1990s, continuing until 2004.
Biography
Emerging from Detroit's east side, session guitarist Ron Koss—who had collaborated with artists such as Wilson Pickett, Marv Johnson, and Hank Ballard—joined forces with keyboardist John Seanor and drummer Larry Zack. They completed their lineup by recruiting Al Jacquez, a vocalist and bassist from Ann Arbor.
The band extensively toured throughout the Midwest, appearing in venues including clubs, ballrooms, college campuses, and festivals. They served as opening acts for prominent groups like Three Dog Night, Procol Harum, Sha Na Na, The Moody Blues, and Small Faces. Remarkably, at one festival event, bands such as Yes, Soft Machine, and Alice Cooper performed as openers for Savage Grace.
Their self-titled debut album was launched in 1970. In August of that year, they took part in the Goose Lake International Music Festival. Later that fall, the band relocated to Los Angeles and released their second album, Savage Grace 2, in May 1971. They toured alongside notable musicians including Jimi Hendrix and John Sebastian, although their momentum waned afterward.
In the late 1990s, Ron Koss and Al Jacquez reunited with bassist Mark Gougeon, guitarist Jeff Jones, drummer Bill Gordon, and keyboardist Jim Claire to create Savage Grace 3, officially named One Night in America. This reformed lineup remained active until Koss passed away in 2004.
Current members
- Al Jacquez − vocals, guitar & bass
- Mark Gougeon – vocals & bass
- Mark Tomorsky − vocals & guitar
- Frankie Charboneaux − drums
- Jim King − keyboards
1990s members
- Ron Koss − vocals & guitar
- Al Jacquez − vocals & guitar
- Mark Gougeon – vocals & bass
- Jeff Jones – guitar
- Bill Gordon – drums
- Jim Claire – keyboards
Original members
- Ron Koss − vocals & guitar
- Al Jacquez − vocals & bass
- John Seanor − harpsichord, piano
- Larry Zack − percussion, drums
Albums
- Savage Grace (1970)
- Savage Grace 2 (1971)
- One Night in America