Ken Forssi
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Raymond Forssi, known as "Kenny" early in life and then "Ken" (March 30, 1943 – January 10, 1998), was an American musician. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio
, the oldest child of Raymond B. and Lola G. Forssi. When he was about 9 years old, his family moved to Siesta Key, on the Florida west coast, and then, shortly moved on to the nearby city of Sarasota. Ken Forssi's formative years were spent there, and he attended Sarasota High School
where he demonstrated considerable talent in engineering drawing. Several pen and ink drawings, of the complex, multi-geared transmission of a helicopter and of the intricacies of a large jet aircraft engine, won local prizes, and he was encouraged to follow a career in that field. He also proved to be mechanically skilled as a teenager, working on both motorcycles and cars, sometimes as a paid part-time employee of local businesses. He eventually was employed as a draftsman at a large Sarasota aerospace engineering company.
Music was a modest part of his life then, but as his skill on the bass guitar increased, he was hired for a number of engagements with local groups.
Ken was a good enough artist that he obtained a scholarship to the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles
. Along with several Sarasota friends, he migrated to Anaheim, California
in 1964, and began commuting to the school. At this time, his interest in music became much more intense. His natural ability was substantial, and he learned new techniques very rapidly. In fact, his ability was soon sufficient to earn him a position as bass player in a late-period lineup of The Surfaris
, a group that previously rose to brief fame with their first record "Wipe Out", which according to "The Illustrated Book of Rock Records" is the number one surf hit of all time (based on record sales and chart positions).
, who then had a band called "Grass Roots" (a name that was rapidly dropped under legal pressure from the better-known band of the same name) and was greatly impressed. Lee hired Ken as bassist, and soon officially formed Love
. Shortly, Snoopy Pfisterer could also be found with the group, as an occasional substitute drummer. Ken was a true believer, along with many new fans, in the artistic talent of Lee, and in the quality of the band.
Love proved to be quite popular and successful in 1966-68, especially in California, and Ken was now a rock star. The band released three albums in rapid succession (Love
, Da Capo
, and Forever Changes
), and had a number of modest hits. Ken Forssi's work on some of these has been highly praised, particularly the hit "7 and 7 Is
".
. During that time Ken had no steady job. It is widely rumored, although unconfirmed, that Ken and Love guitarist Johnny Echols
became the "doughnut bandits", possibly armed with water pistols, robbing local doughnut shops for heroin money, being caught and convicted, and spending time in jail for the offenses. No evidence has ever surfaced to substantiate these rumours, and Johnny Echols stated in 2001 that the rumour is a myth.
Ken Forssi never again reached any level of fame.
After the original members of Love
scattered, he moved back to Sarasota in the early 1970s, where he found fewer and fewer opportunities to use his musical talents. He mostly worked at various odd jobs over the years, his employment usually hampered by long-term substance-abuse problems which seem to have started during the years of fame.
During Ken's last years, he became very concerned about the possible existence of world political conspiracies. In the early 1990s he moved to the little town of Greenville, Florida
, where his mother then lived. Ken died in nearby Tallahassee on January 10, 1998 (according to his Tallahassee Democrat obituary), due to a brain tumor.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, the oldest child of Raymond B. and Lola G. Forssi. When he was about 9 years old, his family moved to Siesta Key, on the Florida west coast, and then, shortly moved on to the nearby city of Sarasota. Ken Forssi's formative years were spent there, and he attended Sarasota High School
Sarasota High School
Sarasota High School is a public high school in Sarasota, Florida. The mascot is the Sailor.- History :Sarasota High School first opened in 1913. A new school was built in 1926 on South Tamiami Trail and the school was relocated...
where he demonstrated considerable talent in engineering drawing. Several pen and ink drawings, of the complex, multi-geared transmission of a helicopter and of the intricacies of a large jet aircraft engine, won local prizes, and he was encouraged to follow a career in that field. He also proved to be mechanically skilled as a teenager, working on both motorcycles and cars, sometimes as a paid part-time employee of local businesses. He eventually was employed as a draftsman at a large Sarasota aerospace engineering company.
Ken was a good enough artist that he obtained a scholarship to the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Along with several Sarasota friends, he migrated to Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
in 1964, and began commuting to the school. At this time, his interest in music became much more intense. His natural ability was substantial, and he learned new techniques very rapidly. In fact, his ability was soon sufficient to earn him a position as bass player in a late-period lineup of The Surfaris
The Surfaris
The Surfaris were an American surf rock band formed in Glendora, California in 1962. They are best known for two songs that hit the charts in the Los Angeles, California area, and nationally by May 1963: "Surfer Joe" on the A-side and "Wipe Out" on the B-side of a 45 RPM single.-Career:The original...
, a group that previously rose to brief fame with their first record "Wipe Out", which according to "The Illustrated Book of Rock Records" is the number one surf hit of all time (based on record sales and chart positions).
Love
Forssi continued to attend college and study art, using his earnings from The Surfaris Japan Tour to rent an apartment closer to the school. He found a roommate, Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer, who was also a student there. In 1965 he met Arthur LeeArthur Lee (musician)
Arthur Lee was the frontman, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of the Los Angeles rock band Love, best known for the critically acclaimed 1967 album, Forever Changes.-Early years:...
, who then had a band called "Grass Roots" (a name that was rapidly dropped under legal pressure from the better-known band of the same name) and was greatly impressed. Lee hired Ken as bassist, and soon officially formed Love
Love (band)
Love was an American rock group of the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were led by singer/songwriter Arthur Lee and lead guitarist Johnny Echols...
. Shortly, Snoopy Pfisterer could also be found with the group, as an occasional substitute drummer. Ken was a true believer, along with many new fans, in the artistic talent of Lee, and in the quality of the band.
Love proved to be quite popular and successful in 1966-68, especially in California, and Ken was now a rock star. The band released three albums in rapid succession (Love
Love (Love album)
Love is the eponymous debut by the Los Angeles-based rock band Love. Twelve of the album's fourteen tracks were recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood on January 24–27, 1966...
, Da Capo
Da Capo (Love album)
Da Capo is the second album by American rock group Love, released in January 1967 by Elektra Records. The bulk of Da Capo was recorded between September 27 and October 2, 1966. "7 and 7 Is" was recorded on June 20, and had been released as a single in July of 1966 backed with "No. Fourteen", an...
, and Forever Changes
Forever Changes
Forever Changes is the third album by American rock band Love, released by Elektra Records in November 1967. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Forever Changes 40th in its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time...
), and had a number of modest hits. Ken Forssi's work on some of these has been highly praised, particularly the hit "7 and 7 Is
7 and 7 Is
"7 and 7 Is" is a song written by Arthur Lee and recorded by his band Love on June 20, 1966, at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood. It was produced by Jac Holzman and engineered by Bruce Botnick....
".
After Love
The success of Love was short-lived, though, and the original group broke up. For a time, his considerable talent as a bassist gained him studio session work and offers to join various other rock groups. He played briefly with a band called "The Elves Themselves" and worked on a record with Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
. During that time Ken had no steady job. It is widely rumored, although unconfirmed, that Ken and Love guitarist Johnny Echols
Johnny Echols
Johnny Echols is an American singer/songwriter and guitarist. He has played in bands with performers such as Little Richard, Billy Preston and Jimi Hendrix, and was the guitarist on many recording sessions with Miles Davis...
became the "doughnut bandits", possibly armed with water pistols, robbing local doughnut shops for heroin money, being caught and convicted, and spending time in jail for the offenses. No evidence has ever surfaced to substantiate these rumours, and Johnny Echols stated in 2001 that the rumour is a myth.
After the original members of Love
Love (band)
Love was an American rock group of the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were led by singer/songwriter Arthur Lee and lead guitarist Johnny Echols...
scattered, he moved back to Sarasota in the early 1970s, where he found fewer and fewer opportunities to use his musical talents. He mostly worked at various odd jobs over the years, his employment usually hampered by long-term substance-abuse problems which seem to have started during the years of fame.
During Ken's last years, he became very concerned about the possible existence of world political conspiracies. In the early 1990s he moved to the little town of Greenville, Florida
Greenville, Florida
Greenville is a town in Madison County, Florida, United States. The population was 837 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 832 .-Geography:Greenville is located at ....
, where his mother then lived. Ken died in nearby Tallahassee on January 10, 1998 (according to his Tallahassee Democrat obituary), due to a brain tumor.
Sources
- "Kenneth R. Forssi", Obituary, January 13, 1998, The Tallahasse Democrat.