The Electric Flag
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Key people | Mike Bloomfield, Barry Goldberg, Buddy Miles, Nick Gravenites, Harvey Brooks |
| Products | Music albums, soundtracks |
The Electric Flag was a Chicago-based American band known for its blend of blues, rock, and soul, led by guitarist Mike Bloomfield, keyboardist Barry Goldberg, and drummer Buddy Miles, with vocalist Nick Gravenites and bassist Harvey Brooks completing the lineup. After departing from the Butterfield Blues Band, Bloomfield established the group in 1967. Their most notable achievement was the 1968 release A Long Time Comin'—an album combining rock, jazz, and R&B elements—that charted on the Billboard Pop Albums list. The band's initial recording project was the soundtrack for The Trip, a film centered on an LSD experience starring Peter Fonda, scripted by Jack Nicholson and directed by Roger Corman.
History
Bloomfield aimed to assemble a band that represented "American music," integrating blues, soul, and R&B influences drawn from artists such as B.B. King, Otis Redding, and Booker T. & the M.G.'s, while also incorporating elements of country, gospel, and traditional blues. Originally called the American Music Band, The Electric Flag was formed in spring 1967 after Bloomfield produced a session featuring Chicago blues harmonica player James Cotton with horn arrangements. His vision was to create a horn-driven ensemble performing this stylistic fusion.
With Barry Goldberg’s collaboration, Bloomfield initiated the formation of the group. Bassist Harvey Brooks—who had previously worked with Bloomfield on Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited—joined and suggested 19-year-old drummer Buddy Miles, then associated with Wilson Pickett. Brooks convinced Miles to join by emphasizing Bloomfield's reputation. Initially, Bloomfield and Goldberg approached Mitch Ryder for vocals; however, he declined to remain with the Detroit Wheels. Subsequently, they enlisted Chicago native Nick Gravenites.
Through Goldberg’s Chicago network, Peter Strazza was added on tenor saxophone. Jazz guitarist Larry Coryell recommended trumpeter Marcus Doubleday from Seattle, completing the ensemble.
Career
Under the management of Albert Grossman, Bloomfield and Goldberg established the band in San Francisco and quickly embarked on their first endeavor: composing the soundtrack for The Trip. Actor Peter Fonda requested Bloomfield to replace Gram Parsons's International Submarine Band, as director Roger Corman found Parsons' music unsuitable for the film’s LSD theme. During this period, Electric Flag rehearsed at Parsons' residence in Laurel Canyon, California.
Bloomfield received sole credit for all compositions on the soundtrack album. He enlisted keyboardist Paul Beaver to contribute textures using one of the earliest recorded appearances of a Moog Synthesizer. The soundtrack reportedly took only ten days to complete. Although the film garnered mixed responses, critics praised the soundtrack for its innovative combination of jazz, rock, blues, and classical styles—reflecting Bloomfield’s concept of American musical traditions.
One track from The Trip, titled "Flash, Bam, Pow," was later included in the 1969 film Easy Rider, although it was excluded from both original and subsequent soundtrack releases.
The band made its debut performance at the Monterey Pop Festival, where they were well received despite Bloomfield’s exacting standards. Following Monterey, they toured the Northeastern United States and played shows around San Francisco while recording under Columbia Records. Despite favorable critical reviews, widespread public recognition was hindered by delays in completing their debut album and internal challenges. During this time, Marcus Doubleday struggled with heroin addiction; later, Peter Strazza, Barry Goldberg, and Bloomfield also faced similar issues. Goldberg departed in November 1967 to address his addiction problems and was succeeded by Michael Fonfara, who had been recommended by Buddy Miles. After a drug-related arrest led to Fonfara's dismissal by Grossman, he was replaced by Herbie Rich, who performed both keyboards and saxophone until saxophonist Stemsy Hunter joined in early 1968. Fonfara eventually revitalized his career with Rhinoceros, collaborating with artists like Lou Reed and producing records in Canada alongside the Downchild Blues Band.
Following completion of The Trip soundtrack, Electric Flag focused on their debut album A Long Time Comin'. Released in March 1968 after sessions spanning July 1967 to January 1968, it was among the pioneering pop albums to incorporate sound samples alongside traditional music tracks. By early 1968, drummer Buddy Miles had become a significant influence on the band's musical direction. The album featured numerous soul covers highlighting Miles’ vocals as well as classic blues numbers; original compositions were fewer and predominantly penned by vocalist Nick Gravenites. Consequently, Bloomfield’s initial vision of "American music" had narrowed considerably. Notably, jazz legend Miles Davis praised Bloomfield–Goldberg's track "Over-Lovin' You" during a 1968 Down Beat Blindfold Test.
By June 1968, Bloomfield departed due to exhaustion and insomnia exacerbated by heroin use. Speculation surrounded his exit as Buddy Miles had assumed leadership within the group. Miles recruited guitarist Hoshal Wright to fill Bloomfield's role. Despite continued efforts under Miles’ direction, Electric Flag effectively disbanded shortly thereafter. They released The Electric Flag: An American Music Band later that year; however, conflicts among members, creative disagreements, and substance abuse issues hastened their dissolution.
Epilogue
In April 1968, Al Kooper parted ways with Blood, Sweat and Tears and, motivated by a jam session with Moby Grape, assembled the similarly designed Super Session album. This project featured Electric Flag members Bloomfield, Brooks, and Goldberg. Due to insomnia, Bloomfield withdrew and was succeeded by Buffalo Springfield's Stephen Stills. Subsequently, Bloomfield and Kooper toured together, while drummer and vocalist Buddy Miles launched the Buddy Miles Express and performed with Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys. Bloomfield embarked on a solo journey with the 1969 release It's Not Killing Me, which included contributions from former Electric Flag trumpeter Marcus Doubleday.
Mike Bloomfield went on to produce multiple albums, such as Nick Gravenites Live at the Fillmore, featuring Taj Mahal. Buddy Miles gained recognition through the Buddy Miles Express track "Down By the River," collaborated with Hendrix and Carlos Santana, and passed away in 2008.
Electric Flag reunited in 1974 to issue The Band Kept Playing, but it did not achieve commercial or critical success; the group dissolved after several months. This ensemble comprised Bloomfield, Goldberg, Miles, Gravenites, and newcomer Roger Troy on bass and vocals.
A one-off Electric Flag reunion occurred on July 28–29, 2007, at the Monterey County Fairgrounds to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Monterey Pop Festival. Original members Gravenites, Goldberg, and former member Hunter performed alongside musicians from Tower of Power and The Blues Project, delivering songs from their debut album as well as blues standards.
Other projects
In 1970, Sweet Apple released a self-titled album under Columbia (catalog number C 30238), produced by Electric Flag bassist Harvey Brooks. The lineup included former Electric Flag members Hoshal Wright (guitar/vocals) and Marcus Doubleday (trumpet). Additional musicians featured Danny Saunders (keyboards/vocals), Bobby Reed (bass/vocals), Steve Mitchell (drums), Raoul Smith (saxophone/vocals), and Frank Davis (drums on two tracks). Record World noted airplay on Detroit's WABX-FM during November 1970.
Former members
- Mike Bloomfield — lead guitar, vocals (1967–1968, 1974; deceased 1981)
- Barry Goldberg — keyboards (1967, 1974, 2007; deceased 2025)
- Harvey Brooks — bass guitar (1967–1969)
- Buddy Miles — drums, vocals (1967–1969, 1974; deceased 2008)
- Nick Gravenites — rhythm guitar, vocals (1967–1969, 1974, 2007; deceased 2024)
- Peter Strazza — saxophone (1967–1969)
- Marcus Doubleday — trumpet (1967–1969)
- Michael Fonfara — keyboards (1967; deceased 2021)
- Herbie Rich — keyboards, saxophone (1967–1969; deceased 2004)
- Stemsy Hunter — saxophone (1968–1969, 2007)
- Hoshal Wright — guitar (1968 – unknown)
- John Simon — keyboards, arranger (1969)
- Roger Troy — bass guitar, vocals (1974)
Discography
| Title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Trip: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | Sidewalk T-5908 (mono) ST-5908 (stereo) | 1967 | * The Trip "Musical Score Composed and Performed by The Electric Flag, An American Music Band" (1967, Curb Records; abbreviated CD version released in 1996) |
| A Long Time Comin' | Columbia CS 9597 | 1968 | Featuring Bloomfield and Goldberg; reached No. 31 in US charts |
| An American Music Band | Columbia CS 9714 | 1968 | Led by Buddy Miles and Harvey Brooks following the departure of Bloomfield and Goldberg; includes liner notes by Harvey Brooks |
| The Best Of The Electric Flag | Columbia C 30422 | 1971 | Liner notes authored by Murray Krugman |
| The Band Kept Playing | Atlantic SD 18112 | 1974 | Reunion album without Harvey Brooks who was replaced by Roger Troy; reissued on CD in 2002 (Wounded Bird Records) |
| Groovin' Is Easy | Aura A 1026 | 1982 | Possibly released in early 1983 |
| The Best Of The Electric Flag | Back-Trac Records P 17721 | 1984 | |
| Live From California 1967-1968 | RockBeat Records ROC-3390 | 2017 | Issued as a double LP |
| Title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groovin' Is Easy | Magnum America MACD 029 | ||
| A Long Time Comin'' | Columbia CK 9597 | 1988 | Contains bonus tracks; tracks numbered 13 and 14 were previously unreleased |
| An American Music Band | CBS Special Products A 21615 One Way Records A 21615 |
1990 | |
| Old Glory: Best of the Electric Flag An American Music Band |
Legacy – CK 57629 Columbia – CK 57629 |
1995 | Compilation featuring outtakes as well as selections from the Monterey Pop Festival performance |
| The Band Kept Playing | Wounded Bird Records WOU 8112 | 2002 | |
| Live 1968 At The Carousel Ballroom Featuring Erma Franklin |
RockBeat Records ROC-CD-3311 | 2015 | Includes vocal performances by Erma Franklin |
Additional Miscellaneous Releases
- The Electric Flag: Live (2000)
- I Found Out (2000)
- Funk Grooves (Classic World Productions, 2002)
Album Details
- The albums I Found Out (Dressed To Kill, 2005) and I Should Have Left Her (Music Avenue, 2007) contain outtakes from the 1974 reunion sessions as well as live recordings dating back to 1968. The Classic World Productions compilation Funk Grooves, subtitled "The Best of Electric Flag," predominantly showcases Bloomfield’s blues-influenced originals, including:
- "It's Not the Spotlight"
- "I Was Robbed Last Night"
- "I Found Out"
- "Never Be Lonely Again"
- "Losing Game"
- "My Baby Wants to Test Me"
- "I Should Have Left Her"
- "You Don't Realize"
- "Groovin' Is Easy"
Among these tracks, only "You Don't Realize" is recorded live, while "Groovin' Is Easy" appears in a version of inferior sound quality. The album does not provide performer credits; notably, Harvey Brooks is pictured on the cover despite not being involved in the 1974 reunion. Buddy Miles performs lead vocals solely on "It's Not the Spotlight," a 1973 composition co-written by Barry Goldberg and Gerry Goffin. This song was also recorded by The Manhattan Transfer and Rod Stewart, but was omitted from The Band Kept Playing (1974).