Smith (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Smith was a rock ensemble originating from Los Angeles, California, established in 1969. Their music incorporated a blues-influenced style and they achieved a significant U.S. chart success in 1969 with the Burt Bacharach composition "Baby It's You", featuring lead vocals by Gayle McCormick. This single surpassed one million sales between July and October 1969, outperforming versions by the Beatles and the Shirelles, and was awarded a gold record by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Origins
The band developed from an earlier group known as "The Smiths" (distinct from the 1980s British band). Their song "Now I Taste the Tears," produced by Ron Budnik, did not achieve commercial success.
Gayle McCormick joined as the primary vocalist, having started her career interpreting songs by Tina Turner and Etta James. The band caught the attention of 1960s rock artist Del Shannon during a performance at a Los Angeles nightclub. Shannon arranged their rendition of "Baby It's You" and played a key role in facilitating their contract with ABC-Dunhill Records.
Professional journey
Smith’s debut album, A Group Called Smith, remained in the Billboard 200 Top 40 for eleven weeks. Lead vocals were distributed among Rich Cliburn, Jerry Carter, and McCormick. Their follow-up release, Minus-Plus, peaked at #74 but did not match the prior album's success. Due to licensing restrictions preventing the use of The Band's original track, their cover of "The Weight" was included on the notable Easy Rider soundtrack. The majority of their repertoire consisted of covers from well-known rock and R&B artists.
Singles such as "Take a Look Around" and "What Am I Gonna Do" achieved moderate chart positions before the band dissolved following two albums. The track "Baby It's You" later gained renewed attention through its inclusion in Quentin Tarantino’s film Death Proof.
McCormick’s solo endeavors
Following Smith’s breakup, Gayle McCormick pursued a solo career, releasing three albums: Gayle McCormick (1971), Flesh & Blood (1972), and One More Hour (1974). Her debut album featured the single "It's A Cryin' Shame," which reached #44 on U.S. charts and #41 in Canada during 1971. Both this song and "Gonna Be Alright Now" were added to the 1994 reissue of A Group Called Smith.
Albums
- A Group Called Smith (1969)
- Minus-Plus (1970)
Singles
- Now I Taste the Tears (1968) US Cashbox #110
- Baby It's You (1969) US Billboard #5; CAN RPM #4
- Take a Look Around (1970) US Billboard #43; CAN RPM #22
- What am I Gonna Do (1970) US Billboard #73
- Comin Back To Me (Ooh Baby) (1970) US Billboard #101
Band members
Smith consisted of one female lead singer accompanied by four male musicians:
- Gayle McCormick – lead vocals
- Larry Moss – organ
- Jerry Carter – bass guitar
- Robert Evans – drums
- John Horrigan – drums
- Rich Cliburn – lead guitar
- Alan Parker – guitar
External links
- [ AllMusic biography]