Mariah

Here is a group from Chicago with a huge history that will represent several artists and groups. Beginning as The Jamestown Massacre in 1967, the combo included Vic (VJ) Comforte and David Bickler. All of Chicago saw them between 1969 and 1974. Many contacts were exchanged, notably with Jim Peterick, Barry Mraz and Bob De Stock. The group will then undergo several line-up changes. In 1974, the band came together around keyboardist Mark Ayers (Ryuichi Sakamoto), bassist Ed Burek, vocalist Comforte, drummer Wayne DiVarko and guitarists Len Fogerty and Frankie Sullivan (Survivor, Heart, Robin McAuley, Edgar Winter...). The group then decides to move to Los Angeles, after changing its name to Mariah. "Mariah", the album, was released in 1975. Produced by Bob Destocki (The Ides of March, Chase…), the nine tracks highlight their broad influences: from the Doobies Brothers (vocals) to Foghat boogie rock, passing by progressive Kansas or Styx slicks, to some Uriah Heep thickener. Three titles are co-signed by Jim Peterik (Survivor, Pride Of Lions, The Ides of March...)