Biography
The Butts Band came together in 1972, drawing two ex-Doors into its ranks: guitarist Robbie Krieger, born Robert Alan Krieger on 8 January 1946 in Los Angeles, California, and drummer John Densmore, born 1 December 1944 in Santa Monica, California. Following the Doors’ breakup in 1973, the pair recruited vocalist Jess Roden, an Englishman previously active in Bronco, while Roy Davies, who also played with the funk and soul outfit Gonzalez, handled keyboards and Phillip Chen took the bass chair. As one of the earliest white American groups devoted to reggae, the ensemble secured a deal with Blue Thumb Records. Their debut release, issued without a title, made no commercial impression. On the follow-up, Hear & Now from 1975, Krieger and Densmore replaced the remaining musicians with an entirely fresh lineup that comprised Michael Stull on guitar and keyboards, Alex Richman on keyboards and vocals, Karl Rucker on bass, and Mike Berkowitz on drums. That effort likewise failed to register on the charts, prompting the group’s dissolution later the same year. Krieger and Densmore resumed individual projects, while the other participants largely receded from view—except for Roden, who went on to issue several solo albums through Island Records.
Albums
