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People! was a rock band originally formed in San Jose, California about 1965. In the San Jose area, they played cover music, current hits and some of their own material. Their most successful release was the a cover of the Zombies song "I Love You", which reached number one in Japan (twice), Israel, Australia, Italy, South Africa, and the Philippines, and peaked at #7 on the US Billboard Top Twenty List in June 1968. Band member Larry Norman claims that People! wrote the first rock opera ever written, and that they influenced Peter Townshend in his composition of The Who's compositon, "Tommy".[Liner Notes, Larry Norman: I Love You Korea Solid Rock 2007 ILY-001] Townsend, however, is not known to have ever actually said this himself. On October 19, 2007 the band reassembled at San Jose Rocks to preform and after an introduction by Tom Muller (Modern Space Music) People was inducted into the San Jose Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Denny Fridkin, drummer and artist, presented an original painting "Jimii Goes Rightly" that was auctoned as a contribution to History San Jose.

Contents 1 History 2 BAND MEMBERS 3 Third album and after 4 After Break-up 5 Discography 5.1 Singles (45's) 5.2 Albums 6 Further reading 7 External links

David Anderson - Lead Singer (1965)

[John Riolo]- Drums, Vocals (1965-1966)

Pete Grant - Bass,(three weeks) (1967)

Larry Norman - Lead Singer (1966-1968)

Gene Mason - Lead Singer (1966-1969)

Geoff Levin - Band Leader,Vocals, Guitar (1965-1969)

Robb Levin - Bass Guitar (1966-1971)

Albert Ribisi - Keyboards (1966-1971)

Denny Fridkin - Drums (1966-1971)

Bruce "Scott" Eason - Vocals (1969)

John Tristao - Vocals, Drums (1970-1971)

There was once a band in San Jose who played bluegrass and folk music. David Anderson was their lead singer. Mikel Hunter agreed to manage them if they would get rid of Anderson and get a better singer. Larry Norman and Gene Mason each auditioned for the position. They had been close friends for years and sung in bands together during their high school years. Mikel Hunter decided that they should both be "the new lead singer." Hunter wanted a complete image change. And he wanted the musicians to stop playing folk music and start playing rock.

They chose the name "People!" in order to stand in direct contrast to bands such as The Beatles, The Animals, and The Byrds. Larry was the only writer in the group so he wrote all the music for about a year and encouraged the band members to learn how to write songs. During their second year together, five of the six members were writing songs.They played a variety of styles, including straight rock, hard rock, country rock, psychedelic rock, classical rock and rock opera.

In 1966 People! was first signed to Capitol Records, released Larry's double–sided single, Organ Grinde r/ Riding High . They began working on a first album by recording a song here and there as inspiration waited for money to pay for the studio time. As a favor to the People! fan club president, Cathy Stashuk, Larry took a copy of I Love You (written by Chris White and originally released by The Zombies in 1965). The single floated around in the US Top 10 for weeks, reaching number #1 in every major market and the band was able to do sold out concerts in each of those cities when they were at the top of the local charts. The single sold over one million copies, and managed to reach #1 in other countries, such as Japan (where it was number #1 twice and years apart), Israel, Australia, Italy, and South Africa. It would have been a #1 single in America if it had hit all the markets at the same time and sold during a two week period instead of over several months. In the USA, the single was on Billboard Magazine's top-twenty list for ten weeks, peaking at #7 on 17 June 1968. The band changed labels several times, releasing singles first with Capitol Records, Paramount and finally Polydor. In 1967 they recorded one of the first MTV–style rock videos which debuted on the Dick Clark show, "American Bandstand".

The Epic was a rock opera written by Larry Norman and Dennis Fridkin and according to rock historian Walter Rasmussen, Pete Townshend openly acknowledged that (The Epic) served as the inspiration for The Who's Tommy. "The Epic" provided Townshend with both the basic idea of writing a "rock opera" and also an essential plot line: maligned hero figure struggling against great odds to become victorious. Liner notes written by Larry Norman on the 2007 Korean re-release of People!'s first album on his Solid Rock label discuss the meaning of "The Epic", claim its influence of "The Epic" on The Who's Peter Townshend, and reiterate the claim that "The Epic" was "The first rock opera ever written". In discussing Townshend's changing claims regarding the inspiration for "Tommy", Norman writes: "It's show biz, baby. You can't admit you nicked the idea off an obscure, one hit wonder."(Liner Notes, I Love You Korea).

In April 1968, all of the band (except Mason and Norman) converted to Scientology at the Santa Clara Scientology Center.

According to Jesus Music historian David Di Sabatino, "Larry Norman left People! on the very day of their first album's release, citing interference from the record label, including censorship of songs and changing the name of the album from a potentially controversial title, We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus And A Lot Less Rock 'N' Roll, to a more commercially acceptable I Love You.

People!'s second album, Both Sides of People! (1969) (Capitol ST-151), contained one song written by Norman, "She's A Dancer." The rest of the album consisted of one cover record, one composition by Gene Mason and two new Scientology songs: "Lucky John" and "Pirate Bill". On the front cover picture, one of the band members is holding up a large Scientology medallion.

Before the release of their third album, There Are People and There Are People (1970) (Paramount PAS-5013), the group had been revamped, and had lost Gene Mason, their lead vocalist, as well as Geoff Levin, their lead guitarist. There was also added brass, so consequently their sound had changed a lot. Bruce Eason sang for the band for about three months, including several television appearances, but also left before their third album. Eason recalls, "I appeared as lead singer for the band on American Bandstand and Sam Riddle's 9th Street West. I used the stage name Scott Eason on the shows because Geoff and Robbie didn't like my real first name. I also participated in some unreleased studio recording which we did at Rainbow Studios in Hollywood as well as the arrangement of several songs for which I never received credit." [The Best of People! 40 Year Anniversary Vol. 1 Songbook with Lyrics and Notes (2006)] Members of People! were now following Scientology.

The band regrouped one more time, without Robb Levin, who was regarded as a "suppressive person" because he didn't want to be in Scientology and spoke out against it. But achieving no further success, the group disbanded permanently in 1971. In 1974 Norman and Mason reunited for a one-night only concert at UCLA in 1974 to raise funds for The Israeli Fund. This concert was recorded live and released in 1980 as Larry Norman and People! – The Israel Tapes - 1974 A.D.. In the summer of 2006 Dennis Fridkin, Gene Mason and Larry Norman got together to perform a People! reunion concert, at Willamette University in Salem Oregon. The concert was recorded and released on Norman's Solid Rock label.

People! was inducted into the San Jose Rocks Hall of Fame in October 2007, and the most successful lineup (including Larry Norman, Gene Mason, Denny Fridkin, Albert Ribisis, Robb Levin and Geoff Levin performed together for the first time since 1969. John Tristao, who joined People! after the departure of Norman and Mason, was inducted into the San Jose Rocks Hall of Fame in its inaugral class in October 2006.[1] [2]

• Larry Norman had started performing his self–written songs in 1956. He went on to perform for Ted Mack's Amateur Hour TV show when he was thirteen, signed with Capitol Records when he was eighteen and opened for Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Byrds and others with his band People! In 1968 Larry left People! and moved to Hollywood. He was asked to be one of the leads in Hair and also offered a solo contract from Capitol Records so he said no to one and yes to the other and released his first solo album Upon This Rock. He wrote songs that were translated into more than a dozen languages. His music was studied as literary poetry in some Universities. He played at the Nixon White House and would later play at the Carter White House. He has sold out Royal Albert Hall six times, performed at the Moscow Olympic Stadium six times, played The Hollywood Bowl, The Sydney Opera House, The Berlin Stadium and hundreds of other venues. He still records and tours and some of his fans fly from other countries to see him perform. He has been called the "originator and architect of modern spiritual rock music", which he vehemently denies. He calls himself a poet, says he has never been an orthodox Christian but has been a follower of Jesus. He has released many studio albums, live albums and even bootlegged pressings that he has confiscated from bootleggers. In 2001 he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside Elvis Presley. which seemed well–matched and fitting since neither one of them were participants in organized religion

• Dennis Fridkin had come to San Jose State for pre–med studies "because it was the only college that would accept me.". Two hours after his arrival at the bus terminal, a long haired rocker approached him from the side and asked if he played drums. He said yes. Larry Norman then asked if he'd like to join a band. Dennis said, "I guess so." Two weeks later Denny was drumming with People! in front of a full house, opening for The Dave Clark Five. People! later went on a 27 city tour with The Who which resulted in Pete Townshend observing the nightly performance of the Norman–Fridkin rock opera ,"The Epic," and finally discussed with Dennis Fridkin Townshend's desire to write a rock opera for The Who. A year later "Tommy" was released. During The Who's next tour Townshend told Fridkin that he'd done it; written his own Rock Opera.. After the band turned down an extensive Australian tour because it wasn't booked by a Scientology booking agent, Dennis dropped out and quit the band. He then completed his medical degree and opened up his own clinic for chiropractry and holistic health, which he did for twelve years. He went back into showbiz, writing several musicals which were mounted and performed in Las Vegas and Palm Springs. He recently joined re–united with Norman and has been touring the world as the drummer and the musical director and keyboardist for Norman's long–running 38 year solo career. Denny and Larry are recording new songs for their next album and also planning to distribute an album of People! songs which were written and never released back in 1967.

• Gene Mason had refused to join Scientology after Larry left and no one in the band was permitted to look at him or speak with him because he wasn't a Scientologist. Gene quit People! a year later when the band declared their manager and record producer, Mikel Hunter, to be "a suppresive". Norman, Fridkin and Mason were the vocal triumvirate of the band and Mikel Hunter had guided their career from their first concert together: performing in a bowling alley to their bookings with The Dave Clark Five, Van Morrison and right up through The Who Tour and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. People! had never been the same since Larry left but the firing of Mikel Hunter, because he wouldn't become a Scientologist, signaled the rapid decline of the band. Gene went solo and recorded with Dennis who also left People!. Larry contributed harmonies on Mason's recording and Gene played lead guitar with his own band until his love for bluegrass, honed during his teenage years, drew him back. Larry reformed People! in 1974 for a few months of rehearsals and recording sessions, including a benefit concert for The Israel Fund. Gene still continues to play music in such bands as Stoney Hill Bluegrass Band, Western Lights, and The Borderline Bluegrass Band.

• Geoff Levin, became a Scientologist, is a founding member of Celestial Navigations, owns two recording studios in Los Angeles, is an award-winning songwriter, arranger, composer and recording artist [6], and has scored music for over 30 movies. He was an early participant in The Celebrity Center and spent time with L.Ron Hubbard out on the Sea Org.

• Robb Levin became a Scientologist but was later regarded as "a suppressive person" when he spoke out against the Church of Scientology. He left the band and became a very successful clothing manufacturer, property developer and owner of the Sorrel River Ranch Resort near Moab, Utah..

• Albert Ribisi also became a Scientologist, married Lyn Ribisi and introduced his children to it, from infancy. He owns L.A. Publishing, a printing company that publishes Scientology's “The Latest” magazine. His son, Giovanni Ribisi, and daughters Marissa Ribisi and Gina Ribisi, are all actors. [8]

• Bruce Eason is an insurance agent and a director in The Men's 12th Step House, a center for recovering alcoholics in Long Beach, California and is an actor appearing in the forth-coming movies “Big Top” and “Lost in Transit: The Junkyard Willie Movie”. [9] [10] (http://www.bruceeason.com)

• John Tristao became the lead singer of Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1995[11], before releasing a solo album, “Big Hat, No Cattle”. He was inducted into the San Jose Rocks Hall of Fame in October 2006.[3]

• Tom Tucker played lead guitar after Geoff Levin was kicked out of the band by his brother, Robb Levin.

• David Anderson was in the band at the beginning but was asked to leave. Folk music was his passion and there was “a difference in musical tastes” with the rest of the band.

• John Riolo was the original drummer until Larry found a replacement for him: Dennis Fridkin. John has continued to play drums and sing professionally, and released a triple CD Solo project playing all instruments. He now owns a Custom Drum Company "Riolo Custom Drums". http://www.amdrumparts.com

• Pete Grant had played bass for People! when Robb Levin was ill for a short time..

• Gary Burris played bass in the 1974 version of People! [[4]]

• Gary Pomeroy played lead guitar in the 1974 version of People! [5][6]

• Title (A Side / B Side) ( Label Number ) Year

1. Organ Grinder/Riding High (Capitol 5920) 1967[7]
2. I Love You/Somebody Tell Me My Name (Capitol 2078) 1968
3. Apple Cider/Ashes Of Me (Capitol 2251) 1968
4. Ulla/Turnin' Me In (Capitol 2449) 1969
5. Turnin' Me In/Ulla (Capitol 2499) 1969
6. Love Will Take Us Higher & Higher/Living It Up (Paramount 0005) 1969
7. Sunshine Lady/Crosstown Bus (Paramount 0011) 1969
8. For What It's Worth/Maple Street (Paramount 0019) 1970
9. One Chain Don't Make No Prison/Keep It Alive (Paramount 0028) 1970
10. Chant For Peace/I Don't Carry No Guns (Polydor 14087) 1971
11. I Love You (Re-Issue)/Nobody But Me (The Human Beinz) (Capitol P4482 and X-6224)

• I Love You (1968) (Capitol ST-2924) CD Re-Release (1994) (Capitol CDP-29797)[8]

Songs: 1000 Years B.C./ Nothing Can Stop the Elephants/ Ashes of Me/ Crying Shoes

I Love You/ What We Need is a Lot More Jesus (And a Lot Less Rock & Roll)/ The Epic

• Both Sides Of People (1969) (Capitol ST-151)[9]

Songs: I've Got You On My Mind/ Hasty Heart/ You'll Never Know For Sure/ Think/ Hey Sweetheart/

Lucky John/ She's A Dancer/ Pirate Bill

• There Are People and There Are People (1970) (Paramount PAS-5013)

Songs: For What It's Worth/Crosstown Bus/How Does It Feel/We're Off To See The Wizard/There's A Man

Miss Jane/The Other Side/Maple Street/Sunshine Lady/It's Making Me Crazy/The Willie Tell Experience

• Larry Norman and People! The Israel Tapes - 1974 A.D. (1980) (Phydeaux WOOF-999-1)[10]

Songs: Fly, Fly, Fly/ I Love You (Chris White)/ I Love You (Larry Norman/ Randy Stonehill)/  ::: I Am The Six O'clock News/ Lonely By Myself/ Baroquen Spirits/ You Knew What You Were Doing/

Forget Your Hexagram/ I've Searched All Around The World/ Sweet Song Of Salvation

• Best of People Vol. 1 - 40 Year Anniversary (2006) (Solid Rock CD-SRP-001)[11]

Songs: Riding High/ Organ Grinder/ Hasty Heart/ I've Got You on My Mind/ Somebody Tell Me My Name/

I Love You/ Ashes of Me/ She's a Dancer/ Crying Shoes/ The Epic

• Best of People Vol. 2 - 40 Year Anniversary (2006) (Solid Rock CD-SRP-002)[12]

Songs: 1000 Years Before Christ/Hey Sweetheart/Nothing Can Stop the Elephants/Opposite Me/

We Need a Whole Lot More of Jesus/Giant Man/She's a Dancer/Think/Apple Cider/Hungarian Rhapsody

• People! The Reunion Concert 2006 (2007) (Solid Rock)

Songs: I Love You/ Riding High/ Cryin' Shoes/ Somebody Tell Me My Name/ She's A Dancer/

Hey Sweetheart/ I've Got You On My Mind/ We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus/ Hasty Heart/

Why Don't You Look Into Jesus/ Twelve Good Men

• I Love You Korea (2007) (Solid Rock ILY-001)

Songs: 1000 Years Before Christ/ Nothing Can Stop the Elephants/ Ashes of Me/ Crying Shoes

I Love You/ What We Need is a Lot More Jesus And a Lot Less Rock & Roll/ The Epic

This album is a high quality Japan and South Korea release from the original Capitol Records CD re-release of 1994 of their inaugural album "I Love You." Liner notes are written by Larry Norman and explain the origin and significance of each song.

• The Best of People! 40 Year Anniversary Vol. 1 Songbook with Lyrics and Notes (2006)
• The Best of People! 40 Year Anniversary Vol. 2 Songbook with Lyrics and Notes (2006)

• Larry Norman's official website
• John Riolo's Custom Drum Building Website
• Geoff Levin - Film and TV composer
• Collection of People! promo items
• John Tristao's biography at San Jose Rocks Hall of Fame website