Emitt Rhodes

Emitt Rhodes stood out as a legendary underground presence in the landscape of American popular music. Though his time in the spotlight as a performer proved brief, his first solo outing delivered an exceptional showcase of Beatles-inspired pop and rock, one that would leave a lasting mark on countless musicians exploring similar territory in later years. He initially built his name as a precocious talent through his work with the Merry-Go-Round, whose self-titled 1967 debut album showcased his exceptional songwriting skills and McCartney-esque vocals as its dominant force. The pair of early solo efforts he cut entirely on his own in a home studio—1970’s Emitt Rhodes and 1971’s Mirror—drew widespread critical acclaim and formed the core of his lasting cult reputation, whereas 2016’s Rainbow Ends reflected the perspective of a more seasoned and reflective musician following a four-decade absence from the studio.

Born February 25, 1950, in Decatur, Illinois, Emitt Rhodes grew up primarily in Hawthorne, California. He launched his musical path at age 14 by drumming in a local rock outfit known as the Emerals. After a disagreement prompted his departure, he rejoined the band, which soon adopted the name the Palace Guard. Outfitted in coordinated red guardsman uniforms, the Palace Guard served for a time as the backing group for Don Grady, the actor who portrayed Robbie Douglas on the television series My Three Sons and later performed with the Yellow Balloon. The ensemble achieved local success with the single “Falling Sugar,” yet once Rhodes mastered guitar he exited the Palace Guard in 1966 to start a fresh project.

Joining forces with three high-school companions that included guitarist Gary Kato, Rhodes took on the roles of guitarist and lead singer in the Merry-Go-Round. As his songwriting ability became evident, the lineup added drummer Joel Larson, formerly of the Grass Roots, and bassist Bill Rinehart, previously a member of the Leaves. A demo tape secured a contract with A&M Records. In 1967 an overdubbed version of one track from that tape, “Live,” rose to prominence on Los Angeles radio, and the follow-up regional success “You’re a Very Lovely Woman” quickly appeared. Rhodes’ already mature compositions and McCartney-esque vocals turned him into a notable figure throughout the L.A. music community. The album simply titled The Merry-Go-Round appeared late in 1967, but later singles failed to replicate the impact of the initial releases. Still a teenager, Rhodes felt constrained and sought total creative autonomy. The Merry-Go-Round dissolved in 1969, after which he constructed a rudimentary studio inside a backyard shed at his family residence.

By writing, performing, and producing every part himself, Rhodes completed four tracks that earned him a contract with ABC/Dunhill Records; his self-titled solo debut appeared in 1970. Although commercial performance remained modest, critics responded enthusiastically and the single “Fresh as a Daisy” registered minor chart activity. Positive attention surrounding the album prompted A&M to compile earlier Merry-Go-Round recordings into the Emitt Rhodes release The American Dream. ABC/Dunhill nevertheless pressed for rapid follow-up product. Their agreement required a new album every six months, yet Rhodes’ one-man methodology made it nearly impossible to sustain his standards while meeting that timetable. He delivered his second ABC/Dunhill album, Mirror, behind schedule in 1971; though strong, it did not match the immediate impact of the debut.

Tensions with the label intensified, and Rhodes’ frustration surfaced clearly on his third ABC/Dunhill release, Farewell to Paradise, which finally surfaced in 1973. He stepped away from recording and took a staff engineering position at Elektra Records, continuing to make music privately without issuing any of it. In 1980 he attempted to assemble another album, but the departure of the A&R executive overseeing the project led him to abandon the effort. He finished a full set of recordings in 2000 for Rocktopia Records, yet the company folded prior to release and the masters entered legal limbo. Late in 2015 Omnivore Recordings announced a new Emitt Rhodes album. For the first time since the Merry-Go-Round era he worked with a complete band; guest contributions came from Aimee Mann, Susanna Hoffs, Jon Brion, Wilco’s Nels Cline, and Jellyfish members Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. and Jason Falkner. Rainbow Ends reached stores in February 2016. Emitt Rhodes died in his sleep at his home in the Hawthorne section of Los Angeles on July 19, 2020, at the age of 70.