Blues Image

Career

Blues Image got its start in Tampa, Florida, in 1966. The original lineup featured Mike Pinera on guitar and vocals, Manny Bertematti on drums and vocals, Joe Lala on percussion and vocals, Emilio Garcia on keyboards, and Malcolm Jones on bass. When Garcia left the band to become a pilot, Frank "Skip" Konte stepped in on keyboards. In 1968, the group relocated to Miami and helped launch a groundbreaking venue called Thee Image.

They became the house band there, sharing the stage with major acts like Cream, the Grateful Dead, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The band then moved to Los Angeles and signed with Atco Records. Their first album, Blues Image, came out in February 1969. Their follow-up, Open, was released in April 1970 and featured their biggest song, "Ride Captain Ride."

Pinera and Konte wrote the track, with Kent Henry handling the guitar solo and fills while Pinera played the solo at the end. Open sold over a million copies, earning a gold record from the RIAA in August 1970. It was the only hit Blues Image ever had on the charts. During the recording of Open, in the fall of 1969, Pinera left to join Iron Butterfly.

Henry officially replaced him on guitar, and Denny Correll took over as lead singer. The band called it quits after their third album, Red White & Blues Image, came out in May 1970. After the band split, its members scattered to other groups. Bertematti played and recorded with the New Cactus Band and toured with Iron Butterfly, Chi Coltrane, and Bobby Womack.

Pinera also played with Iron Butterfly, the New Cactus Band, Ramatam, and Alice Cooper. Konte joined Three Dog Night, and Lala worked with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Lala's percussion was also a key part of the Stephen Stills and Chris Hillman-led band Manassas. Henry played lead guitar with Steppenwolf before that band broke up in 1972.