Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Thursday, December 23, 2021
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THE AMERICAN BREED - BEND ME SHAPE ME 1968.
The story
The American Breed was a late 1960s rock band from Cicero, Illinois that became famous during the late 1960s. They are best known for the 1967 smash, "Bend Me, Shape Me," a beloved oldies classic that kicks off with a short catchy drum solo followed by a soulful brassy fanfare.
Formed in 1958 and first known as Gary & The Nite Lites, the original lineup consisted of Al Ciner (guitar, vocals), Charles "Chuck" Colbert, Jr. (bass, vocals), Jim Michalak (drums), and lead singer/guitarist Gary Loizzo (August 16, 1945 - January 16, 2016). Michalak was later replaced by Lee Graziano (drums, vocals, trumpet).
After The American Breed split in 1970, Al Ciner and other band members went on to form Rufus. Gary Loizzo founded Pumpkin Recording Studios and became a highly successful producer and recording engineer. A two-time Grammy nominee, he worked with such top acts as Liza Minnelli, Bad Company, Slash, Survivor, REO Speedwagon, and Styx. Ciner, Loizzo, Colbert, and Graziano reunited in 1986 as The American Breed and recorded the album, "Once Again," featuring a new version of "Bend Me, Shape Me."