Tommy Bolin began playing in bands around Sioux City as a youth before moving to Boulder Colorado in his late teens. He had played in a band called American Standard before joining Ethereal Zephyr, a band named after a train that ran between Denver and Chicago. When record companies became interested, the name was shortened to Zephyr. This band included Bolin on guitar, David Givens on bass, and Givens' wife Candice on vocals. The band had begun to do larger venues, opening for more established acts such as Led Zeppelin. Their second album, entitled Going Back to Colorado, featured a new drummer, Bobby Berge, who would pop up from time to time in musician credits in album liner notes from Bolin's later projects.
After this record, he decided to move on to more progressive projects. In 1972 Bolin, at the age of 20, formed the fusion jazz-rock-blues band Energy. While the band never released an album during Bolin's lifetime, several posthumous releases have demonstrated the band's power and Bolin's artistic vision. He also played on Billy Cobham's Spectrum album, which included Bolin on Guitar, Billy Cobham of Mahavishnu Orchestra on drums, Leland Sklar on bass and Jan Hammer (also of Mahavishnu Orchestra) on keyboards and synthesizers. This was a fusion-powerhouse line up that resulted in a most impressive album that showcased Bolin's playing at his creative peak.
1973 found him as Domenic Troiano's replacement, who had replaced Joe Walsh, in the James Gang. He had two records with this band: Bang! in 1973 and Miami in 1974.
After the Miami tour, Bolin wanted out of the James Gang. He went on to do session work for numerous rock bands and also with a number of Jazz artists. Bolin is featured, for example, on Alphonse Mouzon's (of Weather Report) album Mind Transplant.
Bolin signed with Nemperor records to record a solo album. His main idea was to bring in a vast array of musicians drawn from all the session players he had known. With the encouragement of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Bolin decided to do his own vocals on this album as well. Session players on this record included David Sanborn, Jan Hammer, Stanley Sheldon, Phil Collins (of Genesis) and Glenn Hughes (of Deep Purple), to name a few. During the recording of this album, he was contacted to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple.
In the start of 1975 Bolin contributed some studio guitar assistance to Canadian band Moxy during the recording of their debut album, with the original vinyl Lp for Moxy I being especially sought-after by die-hard Bolin fans.Tommy Bolin Archives Then later in 1975 saw the release of Bolin's first and highly anticipated solo record, Teaser (on the Nemperor label), and Deep Purple's Come Taste the Band (on the Purple label). The Deep Purple world tour that followed allowed Tommy to showcase one song per night from Teaser. During this period, it had become apparent that he had a heroin addiction. This addiction led to a rumor that Deep Purple's concerts in Japan were marred by Bolin being unable to play due to a paralyzed left arm, the result of a bad injection.Bolin himself later told the story in interviews that he had slept on his hand and needed accupunture to make the nerves work again. Indeed he admitted that he was basically unable to play. Also David Coverdale later said that he and bass player Glenn Hughes and Jon Lord had to fill in the gaps Tommy left.[citation needed] In truth, the recordings first released of those concerts on Last Concert in Japan were improperly mixed, leaving the guitar parts out for the most part.[citation needed] The subsequent release of This Time Around: Live in Tokyo 1975 had a much improved mix, including Bolin's playing. (dubious..ed.) Many critics agree Bolin was in good form for the concerts:[citation needed] certainly, he did not suffer from paralysis at the concerts. Nevertheless, the live character for Deep Purple's shows began to vary with this lineup.
Bolin was back on the road with his solo band and planning a second solo record. The band had a rotating cast of players which included Norma Jean Bell (formerly of Frank Zappa's band) on saxophone and eventually Tommy's younger brother Johnny Bolin on drums. After top brass from Nemperor witnessed Bolin (while highly intoxicated) falling off the stage during a performance, he was summarily dropped from that label.
This proved to be something of a blessing in disguise when CBS signed him shortly afterwards. In 1976 he began to record Private Eyes, his second solo record. This album was to be a double album, but financial woes cut down on this project and a single album was released. The album is a decent effort, considering the level of his difficulties with substance abuse when he made it.
Bolin's tour for Private Eyes proved to be his last. The cost of keeping a band on the road and his heavy drug addiction forced him into being a supporting act. In his last concert dates, he opened for Peter Frampton and Jeff Beck. His last tour was marred with technical problems and unreliable performances. However, his legendary final show, in which he opened for Jeff Beck on December 3, 1976, encored with a barnburning rendition of "Post Toastee". He posed for a photo with Jeff Beck after the show. In one account of his last hours, Bolin was found unconscious shortly following the show. The management, who by some reports did not want any more negative publicity about the tour, had him taken to his room with his girlfriend to look after him. (In other accounts, his death followed a night of hard partying that had involved beer, champagne, cocaine and finally, heroin. By morning, Bolin's health had become worse. His girlfriend feared for his life and called for an ambulance. When paramedics arrived, Tommy Bolin was pronounced dead. He was 25 years old.
In 1999, Glenn Hughes (of Trapeze and Deep Purple) did a 4-5 city tribute tour in Texas, with Tommy's brother Johnny (of Black Oak Arkansas) on drums, playing Tommy's songs.
Standing In The Rain
Tommy Bolin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you left your only home.
Your note said you went to Charleston,
But I know you went to New Mexico.
You left behind a dead father,
A sick mother and 4 younger kids,
Now you're all ready for rich lovers,
So I'll keep waiting for that train,
To bring you back to me...
Even if our love could never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
Oh, whoa, whoa, yeah, yeah.
I've waited so long to see you,
Your ivory fingers and toes.
Curly Hair and Lashes,
And the cheek of a red velvet rose.
Pink lace and satin dresses,
Will be waitin' here for you.
Pretty shoes and bonnets,
And a "Love, From ME to YOU!"
So I'll keep waiting for that train,
To bring you back to me.
Even if our love could never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
Even if our love could never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
So I'll keep waiting for that train,
To bring you back to me.
Even if our love could never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
Even if our love could never, never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
Even if our love could never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
Unh! Unh,
Unh! Unh
Unh, Unh
Unh Unh
Unh Unh.
Unh! Unh,
Unh! Unh
Unh, Unh
Unh Unh
Unh Unh.
I'll keep Standin'
I'll keep Standin'
The song "Standing in the Rain" by Tommy Bolin is a love ballad that tells a story of a man who is waiting for his lover to return. The lyrics describe how the woman has left her home and family behind, including a sick mother and four young siblings, to chase after wealth and presumably find a new love in New Mexico. Despite the uncertainty of their relationship, the man is still enchanted by the woman's beauty and eagerly anticipates her return, longing to see her ivory fingers, curly hair, and crimson cheeks again. The chorus repeats the idea of waiting for a train that may never come, reaffirming the man's unwavering love for the woman.
The song is full of vivid imagery that paints a picture of a bygone era, with references to lace dresses, satin shoes, and bonnets. The lyrics also suggest a sense of melancholy, as the woman has left behind a difficult situation that is unlikely to have a happy ending. The repeated refrain of "even if our love could never be" further emphasizes the unlikelihood of a happy reunion, but the man's steadfast devotion suggests that he is willing to wait until the end of time to see his lover again.
In summary, "Standing in the Rain" is a poignant and heartfelt song that tells a story of love, loss, and longing. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and emotional depth, making it a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with listeners for generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting back and I'm thinkin' about,
When you left your only home.
Reflecting on when you left your family behind and started a new life.
Your note said you went to Charleston,
But I know you went to New Mexico.
You left a note saying you went to Charleston, but you actually went to New Mexico.
You left behind a dead father,
A sick mother and 4 younger kids,
Now you're all ready for rich lovers,
May the Father in Heaven forgive!
You abandoned your family, including a deceased father, sick mother, and young siblings for a life with wealthy partners, asking for forgiveness from God.
So I'll keep waiting for that train,
To bring you back to me...
Even if our love could never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
I will wait for a train to bring you back, even if our love will never be and I will stand in the rain.
I've waited so long to see you,
Your ivory fingers and toes.
Curly Hair and Lashes,
And the cheek of a red velvet rose.
I have been eagerly anticipating seeing you, your beautiful ivory skin, curly hair, and long lashes, and red cheeks.
Pink lace and satin dresses,
Will be waitin' here for you.
Pretty shoes and bonnets,
And a "Love, From ME to YOU!"
I have prepared pink lace and satin dresses, pretty shoes, and bonnets for you, and want you to know that I love you.
So I'll keep waiting for that train,
To bring you back to me.
Even if our love could never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
I will continue to wait for a train to bring you back to me even if our love will never be and stand in the rain.
Even if our love could never be,
I'll be Standin' In The Rain.
I will be waiting for you in the rain even if our love will never be.
Unh! Unh,
Unh! Unh
Unh, Unh
Unh Unh
Unh Unh.
Unh! Unh,
Unh! Unh
Unh, Unh
Unh Unh
Unh Unh.
I'll keep Standin'
I'll keep Standin'
The repetition of sounds and phrases emphasizes the singer's determination to continue waiting for the person they love to return.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOMMY BOLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jasondudash5501
James Gang. Bang.
Genre: Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Rock 'N' Roll
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, CD, Stereo
Label: Atco Records
Country: United States
Released: December, 1973
Recorded: March, 1973
SIDE ONE
1. Standing In The Rain
@PeterRodkey
Bolin is still by far the most underrated guitarist of all time. Rarely if ever does he make any greatest guitarist list
@gogoyubari366
What makes you believe he's underrated? Please explain.
@PeterRodkey
@@gogoyubari366 Firstly. The fact that so many people ive met who are classic rock fans have never even heard of him. Secondly, virtually no airplay. Thirdly, never seen on any greatest of all time list. Lastly. When some of the popular great guitarists admi t he wouldve blown them off the stage, what does that tell you? Tells me that more and more critics, rock fans, historians need to dig alot deeper than Page, Clapton, Blackmore, Van Halen, etc. Btw, ever hear of Frank Marino? Same thing
@erikthompson619
You clearly live in the wrong part of the world - in this particular context. I for one am from Sweden, and here everybody, and I mean everybody, who is into classic rock knows very well who Tommy Bolin was. How come, you ask? Why, because he was in Deep Purple, and in Sweden Deep Purple are and always have been a bigger, more influential band than even Led Zeppelin. I kid you not, this is the literal truth, and I'm obviously NOT implying that Led Zeppelin are even close to nobodies here.
@PeterRodkey
Well, I live here in the states, and am expressing what I HD ave experienced. Glad Tommy is very well known in Sweden.
@stevenbrown6720
Bolin is one of the iconic rockers
@chrisrasmussen2870
Tommy's a legend here in Sioux City and was an extremely talented musician. gone tragically and way too soon.
@KKTR
I'd go to Sioux City just to visit his home. When he died it took the wind right out of my sails,. Him, and Kossoff.
@darrellspiller9268
Chris Rasmussen @3!-::4"×"÷"@ wda
@timwilliams8343
Tommy is a legend in Texas too!