Kal David

Blues vocalist and guitarist David Raskin – born in Chicago, Illinois on June 14, 1943 – was better known by his stage name Kal David. As a teenager, he began performing under his stage name when he formed Kal David and The Exceptions in 1962. The group included bassist Peter Cetera (later of the group Chicago) and multi-instrumentalist Marty Grebb (who would later join The Buckinghams). Kal David and The Exceptions became a popular live draw at the Interlude Club in Chicago before he left the group and signed as a solo artist with King Records. By 1965, Kal David was signed with Vee Jay Records and formed The Rovin’ Kind, a duo with Paul Cotton. The Rovin’ Kind changed their name to Instant Speed Press in 1968 and moved to Los Angeles, California. After recording two albums, the group split, and Cotton joined country rock band Poco as lead guitarist. Living in San Francisco, California, Kal David formed The Fabulous Rhinestones in 1971, which also featured his Exceptions bandmate Marty Grebb and bassist Harvey Brooks (The Electric Flag). Relocating to Woodstock, New York, the group played with other Woodstock-based artists including The Band and Paul Butterfield before signing to Just Sunshine Records. After three albums between 1972 and 1975, The Fabulous Rhinestones split up and Kal David began considering his next step. After seeing vocalist Lauri Bono perform in a club, he joined forces with the singer – personally and professionally - and moved back to California. After working as session musicians for artists like Etta James and Johnny Rivers, he spent a short time in the early 1980s playing with John Mayal. Kal David issued his first solo album, Never a Dull Moment, in 1992, which was followed by Double Tuff (1993). He settled in Palm Springs, California with Lauri Bono, and they opened the nightclub Blue Guitar in 1998. The duo released the album Live at Blue Guitar... By Request in 2001 and Live at Blue Guitar ...Last Call (2006), which was released after the closure of the club. Kal David continued to travel across the US, recording several albums along the way: Crossroads of My Life (2010), Kal David Band Live! (2015), Living the Dream (2015), and Paragon (2018). Kal David died on August 16, 2022, at the age of 79.

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