Biography
In the mid-'70s, when the California country-rock style popularized by the Eagles and Jackson Browne dominated the airwaves, assembling Funky Kings appeared to be a logical next step. The group came together in 1976 under the auspices of Clive Davis' Arista Records, uniting three singer-songwriters—Jack Tempchin, known for "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and "Already Gone," Jules Shear, and Richard Stekol—with bassist Bill Bodine, drummer Frank Cotinola, and steel guitarist Greg Leisz providing the rhythm foundation.
Davis envisioned the Kings as potential successors to the Eagles, yet the band attracted scant attention. After Arista declined to issue a follow-up album, the ensemble dissolved following its sole release. Tempchin's composition "Slow Dancing," the record's lead single, earned limited radio exposure upon arrival but remained largely unnoticed until Johnny Rivers recorded it in 1977, at which point the track climbed to number ten.
Tempchin later cut a lone album for Arista and joined forces with former Eagle Glenn Frey on songs for Frey's solo projects. Shear launched the critically praised Jules and the Polar Bears in 1978, then issued several well-received though modestly selling solo albums; his material found its way to Roger McGuinn, Tommy Conwell, and Iain Matthews, while versions by the Bangles and Cyndi Lauper brought him chart success. He also hosted MTV's Unplugged series. Stekol, whose songs have been interpreted by Kim Carnes and Iain Matthews, has maintained an active recording and touring schedule, occasionally appearing alongside Shear.
Davis envisioned the Kings as potential successors to the Eagles, yet the band attracted scant attention. After Arista declined to issue a follow-up album, the ensemble dissolved following its sole release. Tempchin's composition "Slow Dancing," the record's lead single, earned limited radio exposure upon arrival but remained largely unnoticed until Johnny Rivers recorded it in 1977, at which point the track climbed to number ten.
Tempchin later cut a lone album for Arista and joined forces with former Eagle Glenn Frey on songs for Frey's solo projects. Shear launched the critically praised Jules and the Polar Bears in 1978, then issued several well-received though modestly selling solo albums; his material found its way to Roger McGuinn, Tommy Conwell, and Iain Matthews, while versions by the Bangles and Cyndi Lauper brought him chart success. He also hosted MTV's Unplugged series. Stekol, whose songs have been interpreted by Kim Carnes and Iain Matthews, has maintained an active recording and touring schedule, occasionally appearing alongside Shear.
Albums