November 26, 2021 —– Chart #119
Hello music friends,
Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the 119th edition of Chart of the Day. By now you should expect deep cuts and songs from decades ago. I send this out to an ever growing distribution list every Friday. Today is a good one, a popular chart topper from 1970. “Ride Captain Ride” is a song recorded by the American rock band Blues Image. It was co-written by the band’s singer-guitarist Mike Pinera and keyboardist Frank “Skip” Konte, and was included on the group’s 1970 album, Open. Released as a slightly shortened single in the spring of 1970, it shot up the charts, eventually reaching No. 4 in the USA and Canadian charts, making it Blues Image’s only Top 40 chart hit. It reached No. 23 in Australia.
The longer version repeats the chorus a couple of times, before the instrumental coda leads the song to its fade out. The guitar fills and main solo were performed by Kent Henry. Pinera plays the guitar solo at the end of the song.
The song was inspired by the number of keys on Pinera’s Rhodes piano. Pinera said, “Okay, I need a first word. And what came into my head was ’73.’ I liked the rhythm, and I went, ’73 men sailed up, from the San Francisco Bay.’…The song sort of just wrote itself from there.”
In the lyrics, the crew are invited to ride along to an island, where they will feel free; however, when they do, they are never seen or heard from again. The Captain rides on a mystery ship, which disappears forever.
Blues Image was formed in Tampa, Florida in 1966 by singer-guitarist Mike Pinera, singer-drummer Manuel “Manny” Bertematti, singer-percussionist Joe Lala, keyboardist Emilio Garcia, and bassist Malcolm Jones. They were later joined by keyboardist Frank “Skip” Konte when Emilio Garcia left the band to become a pilot. Blues Image moved to Miami in 1968, where they were instrumental in helping promoters form the most innovative music venue in South Florida, Thee Image. Blues Image became the house band at the club, which featured bands like Cream, Grateful Dead, and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
The band moved to Los Angeles and signed with Atco Records, releasing their self-titled debut album in February 1969. Their second album, Open (April 1970), included the single “Ride Captain Ride.” The album sold over one million copies, and earned a gold record from the R.I.A.A. in August 1970. It was Blues Image’s only charting hit, making the group a one-hit wonder.
Pinera left the band to join Iron Butterfly in the fall of 1969, during the recording of Open, and was replaced by singer Denny Correll and guitarist Kent Henry. The band broke up after the release of their third album, Red White & Blues Image, in May 1970.
The various members of Blues Image went on to become parts of other rock bands. Bertematti later played and recorded with New Cactus Band and toured with Iron Butterfly, Chi Coltrane, and Bobby Womack. Pinera also played with Iron Butterfly, New Cactus Band, Ramatam, and Alice Cooper. Konte joined Three Dog Night, and Lala played with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Lala’s percussion work also figures prominently on the Stephen Stills/Chris Hillman led group, Manassas. Henry played lead guitar with Steppenwolf prior to their break-up in 1972.
Correll later recorded a series of successful contemporary Christian music (CCM) albums, helped expand the genre’s commercial appeal, and achieved airplay with several singles on CCM radio during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He died in 2002. Gary Dunham, who also toured with the last incarnation of Blues Image, also became a solo CCM artist. Pinera has released several solo albums, including In the Garden of Eden.
Joe Lala died of complications from lung cancer on March 18, 2014, at the age of 66. The group can briefly be seen performing “Ride Captain Ride” in the 1971 film, Dusty and Sweets McGee.
The original:
Covered by Blood Sweat & Tears in 1976: https://youtu.be/Q52A_M1At1A
Covered by Phish in 2012: https://youtu.be/hPbZTuD3nto
Blues Image original 1970 video: https://youtu.be/qAnGe40-o9Q
Keep rockin,
Stan