Reggie Knighton
Encyclopedia
Reggie Knighton is a singer, songwriter and lead guitarist from Biloxi, Mississippi who relocated to Los Angeles, California at an early age and grew up there.
from 1974 to 1975. He arranged an audition through Dennis Provisor
who had experience with the group since 1969. He played lead guitar during the period of The Grass Roots "Mamacita" single (which charted), their self titled album and the US tour in support of it. He played with Rob Grill
(lead vocals and bass), Dennis Provisor (vocals and keyboards) and Joel Larson
(drums).
He then worked with John Sebastian
on his very popular "Welcome Back
" album, the #1 single released and the US tour in support of it in 1976. After that whirlwind experience with a gifted talent like Sebastian, he then played with a band called White Horse in 1977.
. He released his self titled solo album in 1977. The next year he released his second album, titled The Reggie Knighton Band produced by the acclaimed record producer Roy Thomas Baker
. It was a group affair this time and he brought in the other members. Knighton had been friends for a long time with guitarist Brian Ray
. Ray was Knighton's age, grew up in the same part of L.A. and they formed the nucleus of the band. Knighton had just finished a tour backing another CBS artist, Valerie Carter
. It was on his gig as a guitarist for Carter that he played and became friends with bassist Kurtis Teel. So the three of them held auditions for drummers, which was how they connected with Glenn Symmonds, who was replaced at the end of the bands run by Milton Ruth. The band toured as the opening act for 10cc
during 1978. Knighton and the group collaborated with John Sebastian on a Canadian animated film score called "The Devil & Daniel Mouse" in 1979.
In 1981, he worked with Mark Saffan & The Keepers and added his vocals to Phil Brown’s The Jimi Project album in 2006.
Beginnings
His professional career started as the lead guitarist for The Grass RootsThe Grass Roots
The Grass Roots is an American rock band that charted between 1966 and 1975 as the brainchild of songwriting duo P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri.In their career, The Grass Roots achieved two gold albums, one gold single and charted singles a total of 21 times. Among their charting singles, they...
from 1974 to 1975. He arranged an audition through Dennis Provisor
Dennis Provisor
Dennis Provisor is an accomplished musician and songwriter who began at a very early age. He recorded on several different labels, including 20th Century Fox and Valiant, under the name of Denny Provisor. He released some soulful singles as a solo artist. He later joined the groups The Hook, Blue...
who had experience with the group since 1969. He played lead guitar during the period of The Grass Roots "Mamacita" single (which charted), their self titled album and the US tour in support of it. He played with Rob Grill
Rob Grill
Robert Frank "Rob" Grill was an American lead singer, songwriter and bass guitarist of the rock and roll band, The Grass Roots.-Career:Rob was a native of Hollywood, California where he attended Hollywood High School...
(lead vocals and bass), Dennis Provisor (vocals and keyboards) and Joel Larson
Joel Larson
Joel Larson is a rock drummer and percussionist from California. He was born on April 29, 1947 at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco. He lived near Lincoln Park until he was 12 years old. He took up drumming at the age of 12 and moved near Avalon Park until he was 17. During these five years he...
(drums).
He then worked with John Sebastian
John Sebastian
John Benson Sebastian Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and autoharpist. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000...
on his very popular "Welcome Back
Welcome Back (John Sebastian album)
Welcome Back is an album by American singer/songwriter John Sebastian, released in 1976 . It reached number 79 on The Billboard 200 chart. Two singles were released from the album with the title song "Welcome Back" reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. It also...
" album, the #1 single released and the US tour in support of it in 1976. After that whirlwind experience with a gifted talent like Sebastian, he then played with a band called White Horse in 1977.
Solo Career & The Reggie Knighton Band
Later in 1977, he produced 4-track demos of his compositions in his own home studio. The tapes caught the ear of a management company, which landed him a record deal with CBS RecordsCBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
. He released his self titled solo album in 1977. The next year he released his second album, titled The Reggie Knighton Band produced by the acclaimed record producer Roy Thomas Baker
Roy Thomas Baker
Roy Thomas Baker is a multiple award-winning Anglo-American music producer, songwriter, arranger and Recording Academy Governor, who has produced Platinum and Gold certified pop and rock records from the 1970s to the present.- Career :Baker began his career at Decca Records in England at the age...
. It was a group affair this time and he brought in the other members. Knighton had been friends for a long time with guitarist Brian Ray
Brian Ray
Brian Thomas Ray is an American session musician, musical director, guitarist and singer–songwriter. He is best known for his work as a guitarist and bassist with Paul McCartney, though he has worked with an extensive list of artists in addition to his own solo career.-Early life:Brian Ray grew up...
. Ray was Knighton's age, grew up in the same part of L.A. and they formed the nucleus of the band. Knighton had just finished a tour backing another CBS artist, Valerie Carter
Valerie Carter
Valerie Carter to James J and Dorothy Carter, is an American singer-songwriter...
. It was on his gig as a guitarist for Carter that he played and became friends with bassist Kurtis Teel. So the three of them held auditions for drummers, which was how they connected with Glenn Symmonds, who was replaced at the end of the bands run by Milton Ruth. The band toured as the opening act for 10cc
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
during 1978. Knighton and the group collaborated with John Sebastian on a Canadian animated film score called "The Devil & Daniel Mouse" in 1979.
In 1981, he worked with Mark Saffan & The Keepers and added his vocals to Phil Brown’s The Jimi Project album in 2006.
Singles
| Release date | Group | Title | Flip side | Record Label | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Cashbox | UK | |||||
| 1975 | The Grass Roots | Mamacita | The Last Time Around | Haven | 71 | ||
| The Grass Roots | Naked Man | Nothing Good Comes Easy | Haven | ||||
| 1976 | The Grass Roots | Out In The Open | Optical Illusion | Haven | |||
| John Sebastian | Welcome Back | Warm Baby | Reprise | 1 | |||
| John Sebastian | Hideaway | One Step Forward, Two Steps Back | Reprise | 95 | |||
| 1977 | White Horse | It Doesn't Take Much | Through Thick And Thin | Capitol | |||
| Reggie Knighton | Clone In Love | Magnum Sally | ARC | ||||
| 1978 | Reggie Knighton Band | Rock 'N' Roll Alien | Lear Jet | CBS | |||
Albums
| Release date | Group | Title | Record Label | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Cashbox | UK | ||||
| 1975 | The Grass Roots | Self Titled | Haven | |||
| 1976 | John Sebastian | Welcome Back Welcome Back (John Sebastian album) Welcome Back is an album by American singer/songwriter John Sebastian, released in 1976 . It reached number 79 on The Billboard 200 chart. Two singles were released from the album with the title song "Welcome Back" reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. It also... |
Reprise | 79 | ||
| 1977 | White Horse | Self Titled | Capitol | |||
| Reggie Knighton | Self Titled | CBS | ||||
| 1978 | Reggie Knighton Band | Self Titled | CBS | |||