The Frost
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Dick Wagner |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Alpena , United States |
Key people | Dick Wagner, Gordy Garris, Bob Rigg, Don Hartman |
| Products | Psychedelic rock music, albums, singles |
| Parent | Vanguard Records |
The Frost was a psychedelic rock ensemble originating from Alpena, Michigan, active during the late 1960s. The group was fronted by singer and guitarist Dick Wagner, who subsequently worked with notable artists such as Ursa Major, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, and Peter Gabriel. The band’s roster also featured Gordy Garris on bass guitar, Bob Rigg on drums, and Don Hartman handling guitar duties.
History
Emerging from the former members of The Bossmen, The Frost captured attention after Wagner, having recently been turned down by Blood, Sweat, and Tears, devoted his efforts entirely to the band. One of their early significant concerts took place at Meadowbrook Theatre, where they performed alongside groups like MC5 and The Stooges, drawing an audience of around 10,000 and distinguishing themselves in the lineup.
The group attracted considerable interest from record labels and eventually secured a deal with Vanguard Records. Under this label, they released three studio albums: Frost Music, Rock and Roll Music, and Through the Eyes of Love. Although they enjoyed a strong following in the Detroit area, their national exposure was hindered by subpar album packaging and limited distribution through Vanguard. This prevented them from achieving the same widespread success as contemporaries such as Ann Arbor’s Bob Seger, Detroit’s Ted Nugent, and Flint’s Grand Funk Railroad.
Throughout Wagner’s life, The Frost reunited multiple times, frequently including Wagner, Hartman, and Rigg in the lineup. In recognition of their impact on regional music history, they were inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2008.
Singles
- "A Rainy Day" / "Bad Girl" 1967 (Date 1577) – credited to Dick Wagner and The Frosts
- "Sunshine" / "Little Girl" 1968 (Date 1596) – credited to Dick Wagner and The Frosts
- "Mystery Man" / "Stand in the Shadows" 1969 (Vanguard 35089)
- "Sweet Lady Love" / "Linda" 1969 (Vanguard 35099)
- "Rock and Roll Music" / "Donny's Blues" 1969 (Vanguard 35101)
- "Help Me Baby" / "Black Train" 1970 (Vanguard [France] 119020)
- "Black as Night" / "A Long Way from Home" 1970 (Vanguard 35115)
Albums
- Frost Music (1969, Vanguard VSD-6520)
- Rock and Roll Music (1969, Vanguard VSD-6541)
- Through the Eyes of Love (1970, Vanguard VSD-6556)
- Live at the Grande Ballroom 1969 (2001, Vanguard [Italy] VSD-6553)
Compilation albums
- Early Frost (1978, Vanguard VSD-79392)