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Artist
Ten Wheel Drive
12+ albums
Psychedelic Rockpsychedelic60sfemale vocalistsJazz Rock
about
In 1968, after the final break-up of the all-female rock band Goldie & The Gingerbreads, Genya Ravan was looking for a new band, as were two New Jersey musicians and songwriters, Michael Zager and Aram Schefrin. Acquainted by their managers, the three musicians would become the nucleus of the new band. Their origins and artistic backgrounds were very different and at first the music was not to Ravan’s liking.[citation needed] More musicians had to be found for the rhythm and brass sections. With the exemption of Genya Ravan, only people who were able to read sheet music were hired. In 1969 the band started to perform regularly and attract positive reviews, and comparisons were drawn between Genya Ravan and Janis Joplin.[citation needed] At the same time, the Polydor record label was forming an American division. Its new President, Jerry Schoenbaum, closed a deal with Ten Wheel Drive, and together with producer Walter Raim the band released its first album, Construction #1. Ten Wheel Drive's first big concert appearance was in 1969 at the Fillmore East in New York City. Apart from the band's intense musical presence, Ravan caused some excitement when she took off her transparent vest and continued the performance half-naked with painted breasts and shoulders.[citation needed] In the summer of the same year, Ten Wheel Drive appeared at the Atlanta Pop Festival. On this occasion Ravan and Janis Joplin, who had previously often been compared, met in person for the second ti
