BIOGRAPHY: JOEL CRAWFORD

JOEL CRAWFORD was born in San Francisco on November 2, 1950. He first discovered music in elementary school when he sang "Love Makes The World Go Around" in choir. In junior high, he formed the Nylons (inspired by the Orlons) with Chris Gaynor and Bob Brown who performed "There's No Other (Like My Baby)" and Chris' first original "That's Just My Luck". He bought a tambourine and joined the Mariners with Chris, Dave Westcott and Steve DePorceri.

In high school, he met Cornell Hurd and they formed Dimension VI with Frank Roeber, Rich Zenkere, Rob McCollough and Jon Isaacs. Cornell, Joel and Frank were the foundation for the bands that followed: the Fifth Party (for which Joel and Rich wrote the song "Mr. Yesterday"), Doppler Effect, the Ragg Brothers and the Mondo Hotpants Orchestra. Cornell Hurd and his MHO recorded an EP in 1976 entitled VILLAGE OF THE DURNED featuring "Bicentennial Boogie". Joel sang lead on "Psychotic Love", backup on the other three tracks and on the follow-up single "Texas Behemoth" b/w "Platinum Blondes" as well. Cornell and Frank went on to form the Cornell Hurd Band.

Joel took an eleven year hiatus before hooking up with producer Marty Rudnick and Sandbox Records. Joel's first release was a cassette of originals entitled FOURWORD. Under the name of BUCK DENIM, he next released CACTUS COOL with partner FARON SQUARE and performed at Bill Graham Presents CountryFest ’91, when “Not Tonight Dear” made him a finalist in the Best of the Bay Contest. Then, after recording four more originals, he released his first full-length cassette in August 1991 - CRAWFORD SINGS CRAWFORD. He has since issued SURF COUNTRY and then, his first CD BeFriender in the summer of ’99. Fronting the Heretics, BLASPHEMY arrived November 2005 and CALIFORNIA SON featuring more originals is slated for 2006.

Many people know that JERRY CAMPBELL is another side of Joel Crawford who cites Eddie Fisher, Jerry Vale, Bobby Rydell and Engelbert Humperdinck as his major influences; he once shook hands with Johnny Mathis. Look for LEGIBLE BACHELOR by Jerry Campbell and the Debonaires in the near future.

Anyone who knows Joel, knows he is an avid Hollies fan: in fact, he is an honorary lifetime member of The Official Hollies Fan Club Of Great Britain and considers them his favorite band. He also likes the Byrds, Dire Straits, the Kinks, the Pretenders and Raspberries. He has had the pleasure of meeting Pete Townshend, Eric Carmen and Chuck Berry.

Joel’s been a DJ on KPSR, KKUP (as founding father and former program director), KFJC and KCSB. He supports the San Francisco Giants and encourages you to register and to vote. His singular goal in life is to die naturally of old age.

Go to Joel's "myspace"