Music
Young still groovin'
Jesse Colin Young.
By Mary-Jean Miner - June 7, 2007
Jesse Colin Young secured his place in boomer-rock history with his stint in The Youngbloods where he sang the hippie anthem "Get Together" ("come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together..."). In addition to seven albums with The Youngbloods, Young has released over 15 solo albums over the last several decades, including "Light Shine," "Songbird," "Song for Juli," and the recent compilation "The Very Best of Jesse Colin Young." This week Young will bring his band to Outerland to share musical selections from his diverse career.
Young grew up in a musical family in Queens, N.Y. At 15 he was accepted into Phillips Andover Academy on a music scholarship. After being booted from the school he spent the next few years immersing himself in the blues legacies of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and T-Bone Walker. After dabbling in two solo albums he formed The Youngbloods in 1967. In 1969 "Get Together" became a global hit, followed on the charts by "Darkness Darkness" and "Sunlight." As his solo career unfolded in the 1970s, Young joined the No Nukes movement, joining Jackson Browne, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash in singing "Get Together" to close the concert and film.
Young currently resides in Hawaii with his wife, Connie, and he continues to record music. He and his wife also grow and market organic Kona coffee grown in the rich volcanic soil. His solo shows have garnered critical raves from the music press, with critics quick to point out that while his greatest commercial impact may have come in the heady days of the 60s, his musical gifts have continued to unfold over the ensuing decades.
Jessie Colin Young concert Saturday, June 9, 9 pm, Outerland, Airport Road, Edgartown. $25 for show only; $75 for show and dinner (reservations required). For more information call 508-693-1137 or visit www.outerland.com.
Julian Wise is a contributing writer to The Times.
