J. D. Blackfoot
{{short description|American musician}}
{{distinguish|J. Blackfoot}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = J.D. Blackfoot
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| birth_date = 9 May 1944, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| death_date =
| origin =
| instrument = Vocals, guitar
| genre = Rock
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = 1970–present
| label = Philips, Mercury, Pye, Fantasy, Family, Sisapa Record Co., Yonder Music
| associated_acts = The Ebb Tides, Tree
| website = http://jdblackfoot.com/
| current_members =
| past_members =
}}
J. D. Blackfoot is a rock musician from Ohio, United States who has been recording since the early 1970s. Along with a couple of hit singles, he won an award for his album The Song of Crazy Horse.
Background
The name J. D. Blackfoot applies to both the singer and the group.Isthmus, December 5, 2010 - [https://isthmus.com/music/vinyl-cave/vinyl-cave-the-ultimate-prophecy-by-jd-blackfoot/ Vinyl Cave: "The Ultimate Prophecy" by J.D. Blackfoot by Bob Koch] Blackfoot was born Benjamin Franklin Van Dervort. Before he made his way in music, he worked in various occupations which included pest extermination, insurance sales and also as a driver.Something Else Reviews, May 9, 2012 - [http://somethingelsereviews.com/2012/05/09/forgotten-series-j-d-blackfoot-the-ultimate-prophecy-1970/ Forgotten series: J.D. Blackfoot – The Ultimate Prophecy (1970) by Beverly Paterson] In relation to possible confusion about his ethnicity, Blackfoot is not Native American. He is a convert to their plight as a result of discovering it in books while in his 20s.Elsewhere.co.nz, Oct 9, 2017 - [https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/8124/recommended-reissue-jd-blackfoot-the-song-of-crazy-horse-sisapa-border/ RECOMMENDED REISSUE: JD Blackfoot; The Song of Crazy Horse (Sisapa/Border) - Graham Reid]
Career
=1960s to 1990s=
Early in his career Blackfoot went by the name Benny Van and fronted The Ebb Tides, an Ohio band formed in 1963.AllMusic - [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-ebb-tides-mn0000171226 Ebb Tides Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny] For a period of time, around 1967 to 1968, the band became known as Tree.Isthmus, December 5, 2010 - [https://isthmus.com/music/vinyl-cave/vinyl-cave-the-ultimate-prophecy-by-jd-blackfoot/ Vinyl Cave: "The Ultimate Prophecy" by J.D. Blackfoot by Bob Koch]Buckeye Beat - [http://www.buckeyebeat.com/tree.html Tree] In 1969, he reformed the band around his name and the single "Who's Nuts Alfred" was released.AllMusic - [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jd-blackfoot-mn0000778550 J.D. Blackfoot Artist Biography by William Ruhlmann] The single was backed with "Epitaph For A Head" and had its release in the US in 1969 on Philips 40625.Goldmine Standard Catalog of American Records: 1950-1975, Tim Neely - Krause Publications, 1 Aug 2002 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=vEvd3YlB-TAC&q=J.D.+Blackfoot++Who's+Nuts+Alfred Page 129, BLACKFOOT, J.D., 45s]
In 1970, his album The Ultimate Prophecy was released on Mercury SR 61288. It contained the songs "One Time Woman" and "Angel".Billboard, August 8, 1970 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=kSkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=J.D.+Blackfoot+Ultimate+Prophecy&pg=PA20 Page 20 Billboard Album Reviews] It was also released in twenty countries.
With his album behind him and a couple of hits, he headed to New Zealand. In 1972, he arrived there with his wife. Whilst employed by Pye, he got the director Tim Murdoch to allow him to record an album The Song of Crazy Horse.{{cite web | last=Dix | first=John |author-link=John Dix (music historian)| title=strangers on the shore | website=AudioCulture | date=16 December 2014 | url=https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/immigrants-strangers-on-the-shore | access-date=11 June 2024}} The title track, which ran for 18 minutes, was played extensively on KSHE St. Louis, KADI St. Louis, and KWK St. Louis. It was recorded at Stebbing Studio in Auckland. Musicians who played on the album were Frank Gibson Jr. on drums, Billy Kristian on bass, Mike Walker on piano, Bob Jackson on guitar and Jimmy Sloggett on saxophone. Tony Baker produced the album as well as handling the conducting chores. Producer Baker also contributed saxophone and organ.Elsewhere.co.nz, Oct 9, 2017 - [https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/8124/recommended-reissue-jd-blackfoot-the-song-of-crazy-horse-sisapa-border/ RECOMMENDED REISSUE: JD Blackfoot; The Song of Crazy Horse (Sisapa/Border) - Graham Reid] The album became the Album of the Year, picking up 1974 RATA award.
=2000s=
In the early 2000s Blackfoot returned to New Zealand and while there he recorded the Co-Dependent Dysfunctional You double album. Around the mid-2000s he was still performing throughout the Midwest.Buckeye Beat - [http://www.buckeyebeat.com/blckft.html J. D. Blackfoot (band)]
In 2007 The Ultimate Prophecy was re-released.PopMatters, 28 Jun 2007 - [https://www.popmatters.com/jd-blackfoot-the-ultimate-prophecy-2496234275.html J.D. Blackfoot: The Ultimate Prophecy By Tom Useted]
In October, 2016 he was inducted into the “St. Louis Classic Rock Hall of Fame. Even though he was from Columbus, Ohio, the category he was inducted in was the "Outside Influence" category for those who have had a great influence on the St. Louis music market. After 50 years of performing, he was calling it quits for performing live. The JD Blackfoot Farewell Concert was announced for May 20, 2017 at the Touhill Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall.Touhill Performing Arts Center - [https://www.touhill.org/events/detail/jdblackfoot JD Blackfoot Farewell Concert] Also in 2017, the documentary Never Say Goodbye was released. Along with Rusty Young and Jesse Colin Young, J. D. Blackfoot appeared in it.We Are Movie Geeks, October 19, 2017 - [http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2017/10/never-say-goodbye-kshe-documentary-red-carpet-screening-dvd-release-november-1st-moolah/ General News, NEVER SAY GOODBYE: THE KSHE DOCUMENTARY – Red Carpet Screening and DVD Release November 1st at The Moolah By Tom Stockman]
Discography
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Singles |+ US discography except for unique to New Zealand releases |
| scope="col" | Act
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| "Who's Nuts Alfred" / "Epitaph For A Head" | Philips 40625 | 1969 | |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| "One Time Woman" / "I've Never Seen You" | Philips 40679 | 1970 | |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot with Uncle Billy
| "Wonderin' Where You Are" / "It Don't Mean A Thing" | Peace 50944 | 1970 | |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| Savage / Almost Another Day | Peace 61776 | 1972 | |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| "Every Day" / "Every Night" | Peace 82941 | 197? | |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| "Almost Another Day" / "Every Day - Every Night" | Family FAY 1039 | 1972 | NZ Release |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| "I've Been Waitin'" / "One Man's Story" | Pye PZS 1004 | 1973 | NZ Release |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| "Ride Away" / "Part Three From The Song Of Crazy Horse" | Pye PZS 1005 | 1973 | NZ release |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| "I've Been Waitin'" / "Hey Johnny D.J." | Pye PZS 1007 | 1974 | NZ release |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| "Twilight" / "Dove On The Ocean" | Fantasy F-741 | 1975 | |
Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/artist/887226-J-D-Blackfoot?filter_anv=0&subtype=Singles-EPs&type=Releases J. D. Blackfoot, Discography, Singles & EPs]45Cat - [http://www.45cat.com/artist/j-d-blackfoot J. D. Blackfoot - Discography, All Records]Buckeye Beat - [https://www.buckeyebeat.com/blckft.html J.D. Blackfoot (band)]
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ EPs |
| scope="col" | Act
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| Nobody's Business | Bison Record Co. B-77-EP | 1984 | 12" vinyl EP |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| Ohio Dream 1. "Missing You In St. Louis", 2. " I Should Have Told You", 3. "Ballerina" | Sisapa Record Co. 5948-2-EP | 1997 | CD EP |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Albums |
| scope="col" | Act
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| The Ultimate Prophecy | Mercury SR-61288 | 1970 | LP |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| The Song Of Crazy Horse | Pye PZL 2001 | 1974 | LP, NZ release |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| Southbound And Gone | Fantasy F-9487 | 1975 | LP |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| Live In St. Louis•July 16, 1982 | Bison Record Co. B-44 | 1984 | 2 LP |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| Tokala | Tokala 5944-2 | 1992 | CD |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| Co-Dependent Dysfunctional You | Yonder Music Y-2001-2 DBL | 2001 | 2 CD |
| scope="row" | J. D. Blackfoot
| Yellowhand | Yonder Music Ltd 2005-2 | 2005 | CD |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://jdblackfoot.com/ Website]
- [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jd-blackfoot-mn0000778550 AllMusic: J.D. Blackfoot]
- [http://www.buckeyebeat.com/blckft.html Buckeye Beat: J. D. Blackfoot (band)]
- [https://www.discogs.com/artist/887226-J-D-Blackfoot Discogs: J.D. Blackfoot]