Pentwater River was founded in 1970 in Chicago by Mike Konopka (guitar, flute, violin, vocals), Tom Orci (drums), Phil Goldman (guitar, vocals), Ken Kappel (keyboards, vocals) and Marty Sax (bass). They played covers of The Who, Steppenwolf, The Doors, and also performed original material.
In 1971, Marty left the group to start a new life in Florida. Thanks to Tom's girlfriend, they quickly found a replacement - Ron LeSaar, who had previously played in a blues school band, joined the group. This year also saw the band's transition to a prog-rock sound. It is also worth noting that because of the name, the group was often compared to folk and country bands from Chicago, and to avoid such comparisons, the word "River" was dropped from the name.
In 1972, the band managed to make their first studio recordings. Three songs were recorded - "A Ballad Starts", "No One Left to Save" and "The Three Journeys". The recording took place at Hunters Studios in Barrington (Illinois).
In 1973, the band decided to record more studio material, as a result of which the composition "Cause & Effects" was recorded and individual fragments of "The Three Journeys" were re-recorded. But 2 days after the grueling recording session, the band learned that the engineer had erased all their work from the tape. Chicago's Streetville Studios, where the recording took place, gave the band the opportunity to re-record their material for free.
This year, the band also received radio airplay for the first time.
In 1974, the band signed a contract with Dharma Records for 4 studio albums, but the label soon went bankrupt. Ken Kappel's older brother, Rick, began managing the group.
In 1975, Rick Kappel, in an attempt to attract attention to the group, decided to shoot a special video recording, but due to the abuse of special effects, the band members themselves were almost impossible to discern on the video, and the film was later lost. In June, during a three-day session in Wisconsin, the group recorded the compositions "EM-54" and "Gwen's Madrigal" and reworked "The Sphere" (Journey's theme) and "In Spirit's Eyes" (Second Journey). That same month, the group performed as an opening act for Journey. In August, Phil Goldman left the group, who was later replaced by Ron Fox.
In April 1976, the group performed as an opening act for Starcastle and Rush.
In 1977, the group, having failed to attract the attention of major labels, decided to record, produce and release their debut album independently. The album received positive reviews from the press.
In 1978, the group successfully performed as an opening act for Hawkwind. But prog rock had already lost its appeal to the public at that time, and the time of punk and new wave had begun. Without financial support, the group was forced to cease its activities.
In 1990, Synphonic Records offered the band to release archival recordings on CD.
In 1991, Mike Konopka and Ron LeSaar began tracking down the master tapes and restoring them.
In 1971, Marty left the group to start a new life in Florida. Thanks to Tom's girlfriend, they quickly found a replacement - Ron LeSaar, who had previously played in a blues school band, joined the group. This year also saw the band's transition to a prog-rock sound. It is also worth noting that because of the name, the group was often compared to folk and country bands from Chicago, and to avoid such comparisons, the word "River" was dropped from the name.
In 1972, the band managed to make their first studio recordings. Three songs were recorded - "A Ballad Starts", "No One Left to Save" and "The Three Journeys". The recording took place at Hunters Studios in Barrington (Illinois).
In 1973, the band decided to record more studio material, as a result of which the composition "Cause & Effects" was recorded and individual fragments of "The Three Journeys" were re-recorded. But 2 days after the grueling recording session, the band learned that the engineer had erased all their work from the tape. Chicago's Streetville Studios, where the recording took place, gave the band the opportunity to re-record their material for free.
This year, the band also received radio airplay for the first time.
In 1974, the band signed a contract with Dharma Records for 4 studio albums, but the label soon went bankrupt. Ken Kappel's older brother, Rick, began managing the group.
In 1975, Rick Kappel, in an attempt to attract attention to the group, decided to shoot a special video recording, but due to the abuse of special effects, the band members themselves were almost impossible to discern on the video, and the film was later lost. In June, during a three-day session in Wisconsin, the group recorded the compositions "EM-54" and "Gwen's Madrigal" and reworked "The Sphere" (Journey's theme) and "In Spirit's Eyes" (Second Journey). That same month, the group performed as an opening act for Journey. In August, Phil Goldman left the group, who was later replaced by Ron Fox.
In April 1976, the group performed as an opening act for Starcastle and Rush.
In 1977, the group, having failed to attract the attention of major labels, decided to record, produce and release their debut album independently. The album received positive reviews from the press.
In 1978, the group successfully performed as an opening act for Hawkwind. But prog rock had already lost its appeal to the public at that time, and the time of punk and new wave had begun. Without financial support, the group was forced to cease its activities.
In 1990, Synphonic Records offered the band to release archival recordings on CD.
In 1991, Mike Konopka and Ron LeSaar began tracking down the master tapes and restoring them.
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