"The Return Of Emitt Rhodes"

For fans of the elusive '70's musical icon Emitt Rhodes (“Fresh As A Daisy"), it has been a L-O-N-G wait between albums.

Rhodes has not released an album since 1973's "Farewell To Paradise". Now, after more than 30 years, fans may finally be enjoying NEW music from this unique visionary, whose sad story is well-known by fans and the media.

Rhodes' career as a writer/performer (going back to his teen years with L.A. group The Merry Go Round) came to an end after only three solo albums, ending amid a much-publicized lawsuit filed against him by his own record company. That record company (ABC/Dunhill) sued Rhodes for failing to fulfill his contractual obligation to release a new album every six months. Rhodes then continued his career in music BEHIND the scenes: first as an A&R man for Electra/Asylum, then later as a producer and engineer. Though Rhodes made a comeback attempt in 1980, this attempt was thwarted when that record company underwent changes in management and subsequently Rhodes' supporters got "the sack".   Sadly, the NEW powers at the helm didn't support the release of his first new single (the lovely "Isn't It So"), and the record was shelved until it's release on a compilation disc a few years ago.

Now it looks like all that might FINALLY be behind him, as Rhodes prepares to record a NEW album (for release on an as yet undisclosed indie label). In all, he has written FOURTEEN new songs, 10 of which he is currently recording in his home studio in Hawthorne, CA.

I had the GREAT pleasure last month of listening to Emitt Rhodes perform some of his new songs for me (in his home studio and even in his BEDROOM, no less). Let me assure you, his fans WON'T be disappointed. This is one album that will prove to be WELL WORTH the wait!

 In the meantime, here are some recent pictures of Emitt, at home and in his home studio.

               

THANKS to Emitt Rhodes, for graciously taking time from his busy schedule to share this EXCITING NEWS with his fans.

*Note*: all pictures copyright 2005, Shirley Pena.

Ya wanna use 'em?

Contact me FIRST for permission, okay?

Thanks! :)

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Hawthorne, CA, native Emitt Rhodes made his first mark in the music world in 1967 as the leader of the Baroque pop band the Merry-Go-Round. The band achieved some marginal success with the Rhodes-penned "Live" and "You're a Very Lovely Woman," recording one album of Magical Mystery Tour-inspired pop. When the band broke up in 1969, Rhodes set up a home studio in his parents' garage and began his solo career, engineering and playing all instruments himself. The strength of his initial demos, now showing a strong Paul McCartney  influence, helped him get signed to ABC/Dunhill. His critically acclaimed, self-titled debut managed to break into the Top 40 in 1971, but pressure from his record company forced him to rush-release a follow-up, Mirror, the same year. Mirror was predictably a lesser effort, barely charting. By the time of the third album, 1973's Farewell to Paradise, Rhodes was running into legal problems with ABC, since he was unable to fulfill his contract, which demanded he deliver a new album every six months. Disillusioned, he retired from the performing side of the business, working instead as an engineer and studio operator for Elektra/Asylum. Though he never released an album since Farewell to Paradise, he continued to write and demo new songs.

– Chris Woodstra, www.music.com