Bobbidazzler were a very interesting L.A band steeped in 70’s rock with a before and after history worthy of further Glory Daze investigation.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Bobbidazzler
ALBUM: Bobbidazzler
LABEL: RCA
SERIAL: APL1-2196
YEAR: 1977
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Grant Gullickson – vocals * Lance Gullickson – vocals * George Marinelli Jr. – guitar * Brian Whitcomb – keyboards * James Divisek – drums, electronics
TRACK LISTING: 01 Spirits * 02 Where Love Should’ve Been * 03 Rock & Roll * 04 Tumblin’ Down * 05 Gypsy Girl * 06 Sunrise * 07 City, City * 08 You Are My Love * 09 Road To Louveciennes * 10 Beverly Hills * 11 Who? You
Background
Here we have an overlooked artifact that at first glance could easily have been mistaken for a disco album way back when with its sparkly Studio 54-ish logo which was kind of neat actually although the stylish optics did little to sell records for this Los Angeles based band.
For most of Bobbidazzler with the exception of George Marinelli Jr. this was the second time out in the big bright spotlight, appearing a few years earlier in progressive rock outfit Ivory who released one LP in 1973 on the troubled Playboy label.
Headed up by brothers Grant and Lance Gullickson who were originally from Minnesota and gained minor notoriety in the late ’60s band Canoise. Bobbidazzler played in and around the L.A. area including such legendary venues as The Starwood before disappearing into budget bin heaven.
The Songs
Unfortunately the LP sleeve does not list which of the Gullickson’s sings lead on each track but holy smokes, one of them is a dead-ringer for Head East‘s John Schlitt! In fact ‘Where Love Should’ve Been’ resembles a poppy Head East circa ‘Get Yourself Up’ and ‘Gettin’ Lucky’ without the Midwest grit.
Good stuff and deeper in the set Bobbidazzler exhibits striking similarities to long lost AORsters Gulliver on ‘Rock & Roll’. The sweeping prog of ‘Gypsy Girl’ recalls both Supertramp and the British Mr Big featuring beautiful acoustic and delicate piano interludes.
Side two’s opener ‘Sunrise’ continues the band’s proggy predilection sounding like a full-tilt version of late ’70s Camel while ‘You Are My Love’ takes a stab at the Alexis and Trillion styled pomp and circumstance we all know and love.
Closing with ‘Who You?’ and dipping back into the Supertramp modus operandi with an ample helping of Wings bubbling at the top. It makes for a heady concoction with rich production and lovely vocal layering throughout the album from Tony Peluso, a longtime Carpenters collaborator and it shows.
In Summary
Following the Bobbidazzler split guitarist George Marinelli Jr. went on to join Bruce Hornsby & The Range and the Gullickson brothers carried on writing songs for a variety of artist’s including Art Garfunkel.
That said, I’m interested in knowing the full story behind the band and music although there are a few choice tidbits available on the net including Marinelli’s association with Glory Daze faves Chopper. Hopefully this review will light a spark among collectors who are unaware of the record’s charms and comes to the attention of a former band member kind enough to give us the scoop.
Bobbidazzler on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
