It was a time of peace signs, protests and tie-dye. It was 1967, the Summer of Love. Psychedelia was sweeping the globe and bands like the Vanilla Fudge, the Doors and the Jimi Hendrix Experience were on top of the world. Every major city had its own scene and in Miami the band on the rise was Fantasy.
Fantasy was formed in 1967 and was comprised of 5 teenagers, Billy Robbins (Lead Vocals). Bob Robbins (Bass). Jim DeMeo (Guitar), Mario Russo (Keyboards), and Greg Kimple (Drums). Fantasy started out playing at teen dances and graduated to performing at The Experience, a Miami underground hippie hangout. From 1967 through 1970 the band, led by its charismatic young singer Billy Robbins, was developing a following.
In 1968 The Experience closed its doors and morphed into Thee Image, a large converted bowling alley which featured the biggest artists of the day. Fantasy was chosen as the house band and every weekend they found themselves on the bill with the likes of Cream, Grateful Dead, The Doors, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, Frank Zappa and Led Zeppelin to name a few. The bands regional popularity was soaring when tragedy struck. In the Summer of 1970, Fantasy's lead singer Billy Robbins disappeared.
Dates were postponed and then thirty days later, their worst fears were realized when Billy Robbins was found dead. Several months later the band began its search for a new singer, settling on a 16 year old female vocalist Jamene Miller. Where Billy Robbins was all charisma, Jamene was all talent. She got on board and the Fantasy train kept a rollin'. It was only a matter of months before the band signed a manager and hooked up with the Liberty/United Artists record label This album/CD, is the first and only true Fantasy album.
It is a pure and honest testimonial to its time. Unfortunately for Fantasy, egos, immaturity and questionable management fragmented the band. Where are they now? Fantasy lives on only in the music on this record.
by Greg Kimple
Tracks
Fantasy
*David Robert Robbins - Bass Guitar
*Lydia Jamene Miller - Lead Vocals
*Vincent James Demeo - Lead Guitar, Vocals
*Mario Anthony Russo - Piano, Organ
*Gregory Scott Kimple - Drums
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Fantasy was formed in 1967 and was comprised of 5 teenagers, Billy Robbins (Lead Vocals). Bob Robbins (Bass). Jim DeMeo (Guitar), Mario Russo (Keyboards), and Greg Kimple (Drums). Fantasy started out playing at teen dances and graduated to performing at The Experience, a Miami underground hippie hangout. From 1967 through 1970 the band, led by its charismatic young singer Billy Robbins, was developing a following.
In 1968 The Experience closed its doors and morphed into Thee Image, a large converted bowling alley which featured the biggest artists of the day. Fantasy was chosen as the house band and every weekend they found themselves on the bill with the likes of Cream, Grateful Dead, The Doors, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, Frank Zappa and Led Zeppelin to name a few. The bands regional popularity was soaring when tragedy struck. In the Summer of 1970, Fantasy's lead singer Billy Robbins disappeared.
Dates were postponed and then thirty days later, their worst fears were realized when Billy Robbins was found dead. Several months later the band began its search for a new singer, settling on a 16 year old female vocalist Jamene Miller. Where Billy Robbins was all charisma, Jamene was all talent. She got on board and the Fantasy train kept a rollin'. It was only a matter of months before the band signed a manager and hooked up with the Liberty/United Artists record label This album/CD, is the first and only true Fantasy album.
It is a pure and honest testimonial to its time. Unfortunately for Fantasy, egos, immaturity and questionable management fragmented the band. Where are they now? Fantasy lives on only in the music on this record.
by Greg Kimple
1. Happy (Vincent James DeMeo, Jr.) - 5.24
2. Come (Mario Anthony Russo) - 6.11
3. Wages Of Sin (Gregory Scott Kimple) - 3.37
4. Circus Of Invisible Men (Gregory Scott Kimple, Vincent James DeMeo, Jr.) - 5.32
5. Stoned Cowboy (David Robert Robbins, Gregory Scott Kimple, Mario Anthony Russo, Vincent James DeMeo, Jr.) - 5.55
6. Understand (Lydia Janene Miller) - 4.42
7. What's Next (Mario Anthony Russo) - 9.42
8. Painted Horse (Vincent James DeMeo, Jr.) - 4.35
9. I Got The Fever (H. B. Barnes) - 2.07
10.Stoned Cowboy (David Robert Robbins, Gregory Scott Kimple, Mario Anthony Russo, Vincent James DeMeo, Jr.) - 2.41
11.Understand (Lydia Janene Miller) - 3.20
*David Robert Robbins - Bass Guitar
*Lydia Jamene Miller - Lead Vocals
*Vincent James Demeo - Lead Guitar, Vocals
*Mario Anthony Russo - Piano, Organ
*Gregory Scott Kimple - Drums
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I have the original US LP press (Liberty Records LST-7643), and i'm surprised because i didn't knew that there was a CD reissue .
ReplyDeleteThis is a fine prog rock record, which comprises the so beautiful Lydia Janene Miller which has also a fantastic voice, only 16 years old at that time. Thanks for sharing, Marios.
Χίλια ευχαριστώ Μάριε, καταπληκτικός δίσκος!!
ReplyDeleteThx very much Marios! Too bad they didn't have any tracks with the original singer also (live or whatever). Would've been a nice addition given the positive comments about him.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent record and with 4 extra tracks vs the original. Thanks for sharing it Marios.
ReplyDeleteFANTASY was a Fantastic young band with fantastic Janenes voice.
ReplyDeleteI have Germany LP LBS 83 425 I.
This album is sincerely dedicated to all the young, positive thinking people of this small planet, without whom the evolution of mankind and the hopes of world peace would most certainly be brought to an abrupt, unfulfilled end.
Hvala, Marios
just to inform you: we've linked your fine blog to spurensicherung.blogspot.com you might take a look and perhaps do the same for us. yours, Lolly Pope
ReplyDeletethanks a lot !!!
ReplyDeleteThank-you Marios. I enjoyed this very much.
ReplyDeleteApparently there was a related band named Year One with a single self-titled album in 1971.
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/year_one/year_one__2_lp_/
There was a Repertoire reissue in 2008 that I have not yet been able to track down.
many..many...thx, Marios, this album EXCELLENT @tibor77
ReplyDeleteI am Jamene's niece. Would love to talk with someone who knew her. I had no idea she even made a record until today.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Shannon
@Shannon: unfortunately we knew it only by his fantastic voice on this great record.
ReplyDeleteWhich she rest in peace.
go here, perhaps you will find more information
:http://limestonelounge.yuku.com/topic/2174/Jamene-Miller?page=3#.UKi93uSZTfQ
Greetings from France.
My brother Bobby and I worked at Pirates World on Sheridan St. in 1970. If you worked the day of the concerts, they let you in free. Imagine. I met Billy Robbins after the Fantasy show one Friday night. We went to the Janis Joplin concert June 1, 1970. My friend Kathy Koop introduced me to Janis. Backstage was behind a rope tied to fences. We watched the show from the side of the stage.
ReplyDeleteFantasy was playing at Chaminade High School sometime after that. It was during that time I heard Billy was missing. I remember being very upset and Bobby Robbins was just trying to hold it together. Please if anyone knows anything more please post. Billy Robbins beautiful beautiful boy.
WSHE Radio Station Online plays a lot of The Fantasy
ReplyDeletehttp://radioshe.com
Thank you for posting this South Florida Band.
ReplyDeleteWOW..
The Fantasy played the local clubs back in the day..
Recently we heard The Fantasy on the internet radio station SHE RADIO.
Matter of fact, soo much older album cuts from the early 1070s is played on SHE RADIO
WSHE Miami Ft Lauderdale Classic Rock Florida.
Check it out and maybe tell your friends, they will probably dig it.
www.sheradio1055.com & www.radioshe.com
Thank you for the update
ReplyDeleteWe have been listening to the radio station Online titled SHE
Many great deep album cuts may be heard at SHE Radio station.
The Fantasy Band, I have also heard many of their cuts as well as other obscure 70s
DAMN I want to share this with everyone
http://radioshe.com
RIGHT ON MAN; SHE RADIO PLAYS ALL THIS KIND OF MUSIC FROM OUR GENERATION
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletemayblitz, Fantasy, updated!!
ReplyDeleteWho are the ones on the cover? well they have names that
ReplyDeletedo not match the musicians. Is there anyone who knows something about this question? . Thank you
Ed