Courtesy of VCR
December 3, 2024
Mike Pinera, the singer and guitarist who wrote the 1970 hit “Ride Captain Ride” for his band Blues Image, died on Nov. 20 at the age of 76.
Local news outlet the St. Pete Catalyst confirmed his passing at home in Tampa, Florida, after a long illness.
Blues Image added Latin rhythms to their heavy rock sound, gaining attention for the unusual blend. They opened Tampa’s first-ever psychedelic club, Dino’s, before moving to Miami and becoming a regular feature at Thee Image club.
READ MORE: Top 25 Psychedelic Rock Albums
They opened for a range of bands including Cream, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin, and Pinera developed a lasting friendship with Jimmy Page.
After Blues Image split Pinera joined Iron Butterfly, appearing on their 1970 album Metemorphosis. He was among the first to make use of the Talk Box device, as heard on his song “Butterfly Bleu.” After leaving in 1972 he reunited with the band on four occasions up to 1993. He Later joined Alice Cooper’s band for a two-year stint in 1980.
Read More: Blues Image Frontman Mike Pinera Dead at 76 | https://ultimateclassicrock.com/mike-pinera-dead/?&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
