Ride, Captain, Ride (1970) 3/31/20

In the 1970s, the new Rhodes Piano was the choice of many musicians (Billy Joel, for example, used one extensively). It was electric, had an “interesting” sound to it, and it was smaller, with only 73 keys instead of the traditional 88.

Miusician Mike Pinera was fascinated by the Rhodes, and one day, when trying to write a song for his group. “Blues Image,” he somehow got the idea that the lyrics should begin with '73.' After that, in his words, “the song just sorta wrote itself.” That's great, but he never really explained what the story was about!

No matter. In 1970, Blues Image took “Ride, Captain, Ride” to #4 in both the US and Canada.

Unfortunately, they were a one-hit wonder...but Pinera went on to have a successful career,both onstage and off , working with acts like Alice Cooper, Black Oak Arkansas and Iron Butterfly.

"Ride, Captain, Ride: a "Great Song from 1970!"