The Jayhawks
Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, The Jayhawks are a roots-rock band formed in 1985. The exact cast of characters has shifted over 15 years, but the appeal of The Jayhawks has continued. with Gary Louris and Mark Olson (vocalists/guitarists), Norm Rogers (drummer), and Marc Perelman (who took up bass to join the group). They released a few thousand self-titled debut albums in 1986 that was favorably received but which did not result in a recording contract. In 1988 Thad Spencer took over for Rogers, who left the group. Lead Gary Louris was in a serious car accident, and The Jayhawks took a break from recording/performing. An independent label in Minneapolis (Twin/Tone) released Blue Earth (1989). Ken Callahan took over for Spencer, and The Jayhawks began a national tour. They were signed to (Def) American Records, after the producer (George Drakoulias) heard Blue Earth when he was on the phone Twin/Tone. That led to a 1991 release of Hollywood Town Hall, The Jayhawks' breakthrough album. They added Minneapolis pianist Karen Grotberg to the band. Before recording the fourth Jayhawks album, Callahan departed, and was replaced by session drummer Don Heffington. They released Tomorrow the Green Grass (1995), which, according to allmusic is “the group's finest, a beautiful collection of songs led off by the elegiac single `Blue,'" that got a lot of airplay. A tour followed, but after some months on the road, Olson announced he was quitting. The 1997 Jayhawks, consisting of Louris, Perlman, Grotberg and drummer Tim O'Reagan, released the album Sound of Lies. Individual Jayhawks have done appearances on albums by Counting Crows, Soul Asylum, Joe Henry, and The Wallflowers.
Gary Louris has performed with The Wallflowers when the Jayhawks open for The Wallflowers, often singing “The Weight” or “Ticket To Ride.” (ex: St. Cloud, MN 12.19.97; Minneapolis, MN 8.31.98).
(See also Golden Smog)
