Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Things To Come
































Fronted by a 17-year-old Steve Runolfsson (vocals/organ/piano/harmonica), this L.A. 5-piece existed from 1965-1967. All of them shared writing duties, but few fans disagree with the idea that Runolfsson was the most talented of the group in that respect (he penned all of the below). The combination of Steve's mature and downright menacing vocal style and Lynn Rominger's rumbling lead guitar breaks laid the foundation for success in a town that would soon embrace the likes of the Doors. But it was not to be. Minimal AM airplay of their debut single ('Sweetgina' b/w 'Speak of the Devil'), even more minimal record sales and zero interest from West Coast labels gave them some early kicks in the ribs. A few instances of bad luck -- and, it could be speculated, one incredibly bad decision -- spelled their demise. In the spring of 1967, Lynn Rominger was drafted and sent off to boot camp (which is presumably when the above group photo was taken). That summer a fairly well-known Hollywood manager caught a performance of theirs and liked what he saw. An audition was scheduled for the next week. Following this subsequent performance, the manager offered to take them on . . . as soon as they fired their singer, whom he felt wasn't 'right for the group.' The remaining three met without Runolfsson and, not wanting to miss out on their chance at success, voted to get rid of him. Naturally, he was devastated.

After deciding that bassist Bryan Garofalo would take over on vocals, the four-piece forged on. True to his word, their new manager negotiated a contract for them with Warner Bros. They released two singles on said label in 1968, neither of which charted. When WB heard (and was unimpressed by) demos for a possible LP, the band was quickly dropped.

Steve Runolfsson went on to form a campy, satirical group with his sister in the early 1970's called Da Yuckettes -- oddly, this band opened for Capt. Beefheart and Little Richard. On January 10, 1977 at the age of 27, Steve overdosed on a mixture of liquor & pills -- it is thought to have been a suicide.

Some sinister songs:




5 comments:

  1. I grew up with Steve and he did not commit suicide. David Webb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. The truth was he had had a fun day with family and just overdid, as was his habit. 😁 (From his little sister.)

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Back when we made music together in Long Beach, CA it was unbelievable @Bixby Knolls _“The music room" Steve Runolfsson and I played every BEATLES and Rolling Stones song, it was a extremely creative time & always a feeling inside of being alive to hear and deeply listened to Steve sing and play his amazingly profound songs. Steve and I became inseparable musicians; Steven was a gifted stage performer, just sitting in front of a piano _ due to his sisters and MOM. Mom, an incredibly gifted Pianist Musician performing in Musicals constantly in Hollywood, CA) ALA Fifth Ave, Seattle. (&Dad’s) gifts of talent were clearly constantly evident. https://www.discogs.com/composition/b728880d-9182-4c66-a26d-51999135933d-Behold-Now-Behemothand
    Steve and I met one day at Hughes Junior High, in Long Beach Ca, we began walking home together constantly talking re: music possibilities, it was just as the BEATLES were exploding on the scene. And, it was the Runolffson’s home in long beach from 1963 with Steve and his sisters, that I then spent all my time with Steve. between his home and grandparents home. he and I were constantly making music and together as brothers. Steven was an incredibly gifted musician. Together with another dear friend: Dave Hanna (brother of Jeff Hanna from Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. We, Dave Hanna, Todd Southwick and Steve Runolffson created a short lived Dirt Band, in the back yard Bixby Knolls music room in 1964. Incredible times were these. I have to FULLY agree, Steven passed exactly as Family and sister say HERE, this was a foolish accident. Steve was a very caring gifted, funny wonderful upright friend. To all but especially to me!
    As I look back, today. I have since worked hard over many years to be a Cat Stevens Tribute Artist. Yet I work in IT and profoundly wish I were touring ala as “Todd Stevens - A Tribute to Cat Stevens “
    David Webb, had asked me to travel to Las Vegas - to introduce me to an amazingly gifted Cat Stevens touring orchestra musician. I remember David’s Las Vegas apartment, and how we together (she and I) played Cat Song as if I were Cat himself. My guitar work and Cat voicing has never sounded as good. Thank you, David Webb for that.
    Todd Southwick - Sammamish, WA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh I just saw this, so sorry I missed it before. I remember the name Todd Southwick very well. I was the youngest of the fam so you would remember me as the teeny bopper dancing around as you played. I remember it well. Thank you for writing all those wonderful things about Steve. He was so unique. His death definitely sent my life in a different direction. Very shocking. Would love to meet you someday. Glad you've had a lifetime of playing music !

      Delete