Jem Targal
{{Short description|American bass guitarist (1947–2021)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jem Targal
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1947|02|28}}
| birth_place = Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
| origin =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|10|08|1947|02|28}}{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/third-powers-jem-targal-dies-at-74/|title=Third Power's Jem Targal Dies at 74|date=October 12, 2021|website=Pitchfork.com|access-date=October 19, 2021}}
| death_place =
| genre = Hard rock, psychedelic rock
| occupation = Musician, songwriter, singer, guitarist, bassist
| instrument = Bass guitar, vocals
| years_active =
| label =
| associated_acts = Third Power
| website =
}}
Jem Targal (February 28, 1947{{Cite web|url=https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/jem_targal|title=Jem Targal discography - RYM/Sonemic|website=Rateyourmusic.com|access-date=October 19, 2021}} – October 8, 2021) was an American bass guitarist and singer, known best as a member and co-founder of the rock group Third Power.
Third Power
Third Power was an American psychedelic hard rock band formed in 1969 in Detroit, Michigan. The band featured Drew Abbott on vocals and guitar, Jim Craig on drums, and Targal on vocals and bass guitar. Targal also served as the group's main songwriter.
The group became a prominent local club band before signing to Vanguard Records.{{cite web |url=http://psychedelic-rocknroll.blogspot.com/2009/06/third-power-believe-abbott-seger.html|title=Third Power|work=psychedelicrocknroll.com|access-date=February 26, 2015}}[https://allmusic.com/artist/third-power-p21001 Third Power] at Allmusic Guitarist Drew Abbott and bassist Jem Targal shared singing duties.[https://books.google.com/books?id=dykEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22third+power%22+billboard&pg=PA23 Show review], Billboard, June 20, 1970.
They released an album, Believe, on the label in 1970. The album made modest sales but the group disbanded in 1971.
Early years
Jem Targal was born in 1947 in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the University of Michigan Hospital.
His family lived in Whitmore Lake, Michigan until Targal was two years old while his father attended and taught at the University of Michigan. In 1949, his family moved to Teke near Istanbul, Turkey when his father began teaching at the American College in Istanbul.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kurtbrowne.com/jemtargal1.html|title = JEM TARGAL Bass Player Artist legendary lover|website=Kurtbrowne.com}} In 1951, Targal's family returned to Michigan where they lived on Marlboro Street in Detroit. It was in Detroit where Targal learned to play the violin and the guitar.
In 1965, Targal graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit. After high school, Targal attended Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills, Michigan, where he met his future Third Power band member, Drew Abbott.{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9ELrPRIGM_8C&q=jim+craig+third+power&pg=PA200 | title=Grit, Noise, and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock 'n' Roll| isbn=0472031902| last1=Carson| first1=David A.| date=June 19, 2006| publisher=University of Michigan Press}}
Later years
Bob Seger lived next door to Targal on Airport Road in Waterford Village, Michigan. It was there where Seger met his future bandmate, Drew Abbott. Abbott went on to work with Seger in 1973 with the Silver Bullet Band, and recorded the mega-hit albums "Live Bullet", "Night Moves" and "Against the Wind."{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=silver+bullet+band+albums|title=Google|website=Google.com|access-date=October 19, 2021}}
After Third Power disbanded, Targal led his own solo career. In 1978, Targal released his "Luckey Guy" album.
He lived near Mobile, Alabama with his wife, Patricia Ann (Steen) Targal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjem.targal|title=Log into Facebook|website=Facebook.com|access-date=October 19, 2021}}
Discography
- Believe (Vanguard Records, 1970) U.S. #194[https://allmusic.com/artist/third-power-p21001/charts-awards/billboard-albums Charts], AllMusic as The Third Power.
- Luckey Guy (Sheavy, 1978)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{discogs artist|Jem Targal}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Targal, Jem}}
Category:Musicians from Ann Arbor, Michigan
Category:American rock singers
Category:American rock musicians
Category:American rock bass guitarists
Category:Musicians from Mobile, Alabama
Category:American male singers
Category:Guitarists from Detroit
Category:American male bass guitarists
Category:20th-century American bass guitarists
Category:20th-century American male musicians