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{{use mdy dates|date=July 2012}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = It's a Beautiful Day
| name = It's a Beautiful Day
| image = Its a Beautiful Day 1972.JPG
| image = Its a Beautiful Day 1972.JPG
| caption = The band in 1972.
| caption = The band in 1972.
| image_size = 220
| image_size = 220
| landscape = Yes
| landscape = Yes
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[San Francisco]], [[California]], United States
| origin = [[San Francisco]], [[California]], United States
| genre = [[Psychedelic rock]], [[folk rock]], [[classical music|classical]], [[jazz]]
| genre = [[Psychedelic rock]], [[folk rock]], [[classical music|classical]], [[jazz]]
| years_active = 1967–1973, 2000–present
| years_active = 1967–1973, 2000–present
| label = [[Columbia Records|CBS]], [[Columbia records|Columbia]]
| label = [[Columbia Records|CBS]], [[Columbia records|Columbia]]
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts =
| website =
| website =
| current_members = [[David LaFlamme]]<br />[[Val Fuentes]]<br />Linda Baker LaFlamme<br />Toby Gray<br>Rob Espinosa<br /> Gary Thomas<br />Michael Prichard
| current_members = [[Val Fuentes]]<br />Linda Baker LaFlamme<br />Toby Gray<br>Rob Espinosa<br /> Gary Thomas<br />Michael Prichard
| past_members = Pattie Santos<br />Linda LaFlamme<br />Mitchell Holman<br />Hal Wagenet<br />Fred Webb<br />[[Tom Fowler (musician)|Tom Fowler]]<br /> Bill Gregory<br />[[Bud Cockrell]]<br />Greg Bloch<br />Rob Cunningham
| past_members = [[David LaFlamme]]<br />Pattie Santos<br />[[Linda LaFlamme]]<br />Mitchell Holman<br />Hal Wagenet<br />Fred Webb<br />[[Tom Fowler (musician)|Tom Fowler]]<br /> Bill Gregory<br />[[Bud Cockrell]]<br />Greg Bloch<br />Rob Cunningham
}}
}}
'''It's a Beautiful Day''' is an American band formed in [[San Francisco]], [[California]], in 1967, featuring vocalist Pattie Santos along with violinist [[David LaFlamme]] and his wife, Linda LaFlamme, on keyboards.
'''It's a Beautiful Day''' is an American band formed in [[San Francisco]], [[California]], in 1967, featuring vocalist Pattie Santos along with violinist [[David LaFlamme]] and his wife, [[Linda LaFlamme]], on keyboards.


David LaFlamme, who as a youth had once performed as a soloist with the [[Utah Symphony Orchestra]], had previously been in the group [[Orkustra]] playing [[Five string violin|five-string violin]]. The other members of It's a Beautiful Day in its early years were [[Val Fuentes]] (drums), Mitchell Holman (bass) and Hal Wagenet (guitar). Although they were one of the notable San Francisco bands to emerge from 1967's [[Summer of Love]], the band never achieved the success of contemporaries such as the [[Grateful Dead]], [[Jefferson Airplane]], and [[Santana (band)|Santana]], with whom they had connections. The band created a unique blend of rock, jazz, folk, classical, and world-beat styles.
David LaFlamme, who as a youth had once performed as a soloist with the [[Utah Symphony Orchestra]], had previously been in the group [[Orkustra]] playing [[Five string violin|five-string violin]]. The other members of It's a Beautiful Day in its early years were [[Val Fuentes]] (drums), Mitchell Holman (bass) and Hal Wagenet (guitar). Although they were one of the notable San Francisco bands to emerge from 1967's [[Summer of Love]], the band never achieved the success of contemporaries such as the [[Grateful Dead]], [[Jefferson Airplane]], and [[Santana (band)|Santana]], with whom they had connections. The band created a unique blend of rock, jazz, folk, classical, and world-beat styles.
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The band's original manager, [[Matthew Katz]], had previously worked with the rock bands [[Jefferson Airplane]] and [[Moby Grape]]. The members of the band were unaware that the other two bands were already trying to end their business relationships with Katz. During 1967 and early 1968, Katz prevented It's a Beautiful Day from performing in San Francisco, telling them they were not ready. He booked their first public appearances at a club he controlled in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], formerly known as the Encore Ballroom. Katz renamed the club San Francisco Sound. While in Seattle, the group lived in the attic of an old house owned by Katz while writing and rehearsing new songs in between club performances. Few customers came to the club during the band's engagement in Seattle during December 1967.
The band's original manager, [[Matthew Katz]], had previously worked with the rock bands [[Jefferson Airplane]] and [[Moby Grape]]. The members of the band were unaware that the other two bands were already trying to end their business relationships with Katz. During 1967 and early 1968, Katz prevented It's a Beautiful Day from performing in San Francisco, telling them they were not ready. He booked their first public appearances at a club he controlled in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], formerly known as the Encore Ballroom. Katz renamed the club San Francisco Sound. While in Seattle, the group lived in the attic of an old house owned by Katz while writing and rehearsing new songs in between club performances. Few customers came to the club during the band's engagement in Seattle during December 1967.


The band's signature song "[[White Bird (song)|White Bird]]" was inspired by the experiences David and Linda LaFlamme had while living in Seattle. The song was partly inspired by Seattle's rainy winter weather. In a later interview, David LaFlamme said:
The band's signature song "[[White Bird (song)|White Bird]]" was inspired by the experiences David and [[Linda LaFlamme]] had while living in Seattle. The song was partly inspired by Seattle's rainy winter weather. In a later interview, David LaFlamme said:


<blockquote>Where the 'white bird' thing came from ... We were like caged birds in that attic. We had no money, no transportation, the weather was miserable. We were just barely getting by on a very small food allowance provided to us. It was quite an experience, but it was very creative in a way.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pnwbands.com/itsabeautifulday.html|title=It's A Beautiful Day|publisher=pnwbands.com|access-date= September 7, 2009}}</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>Where the 'white bird' thing came from ... We were like caged birds in that attic. We had no money, no transportation, the weather was miserable. We were just barely getting by on a very small food allowance provided to us. It was quite an experience, but it was very creative in a way.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pnwbands.com/itsabeautifulday.html|title=It's A Beautiful Day|website=Pnwbands.com|access-date= September 7, 2009}}</ref></blockquote>


By the time the group members returned to San Francisco they had no money and were frustrated by Katz's attempts to manipulate their career. In desperation, they began playing at a few clubs without his approval. The band gradually began to gain some recognition and earn money. Some of that recognition came from their performance at the Sky River Rock Festival and Lighter Than Air Fair, occurring over the 1968 Labor Day weekend in Sultan, Washington. Sky River is considered by many to be the first successful multi-day rock festival, and a number of major bands had the opportunity to hear It's a Beautiful Day there. The band got its first big break when offered a chance to open for [[Cream (band)|Cream]] at the [[Oakland Coliseum]], in [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], California on October 4, 1968. Around this time, the band first began a long process of trying to disentangle themselves from Katz.
By the time the group members returned to San Francisco they had no money and were frustrated by Katz's attempts to manipulate their career. In desperation, they began playing at a few clubs without his approval. The band gradually gained some recognition and earned some money. Some of that recognition came from their performance at the Sky River Rock Festival and Lighter Than Air Fair, occurring over the 1968 Labor Day weekend in Sultan, Washington. Sky River is considered by many to be the first successful multi-day rock festival, and a number of major bands had the opportunity to hear It's a Beautiful Day there. The band got its first big break when offered a chance to open for [[Cream (band)|Cream]] at the [[Oakland Coliseum]], in [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], California on October 4, 1968. Around this time, the band first began a long process of trying to disentangle themselves from Katz.


The band's debut album, ''[[It's a Beautiful Day (album)|It's a Beautiful Day]]'', was produced by David LaFlamme in [[Los Angeles]], California, and released by [[Columbia Records]] in 1969. It features tracks such as "White Bird", "Hot Summer Day", and "Time Is". The album reached number 47 in the U.S. charts<ref name="US chart">[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/its-a-beautiful-day-mn0000109012/awards "It's a Beautiful Day USA chart history"]. [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved June 10, 2012.</ref> and number 58 in the UK.<ref name="UK chart">[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/it%27s%20a%20beautiful%20day/ "It's a Beautiful Day UK chart history"]. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2012.</ref> The theme from the song "Bombay Calling" was later used, at a slower tempo, by [[Deep Purple]] as the intro to "[[Child in Time]]" on its ''[[Deep Purple in Rock]]'' album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deep-purple.net/Review-files/asia2002/mumbai-gillan-interview.htm |title=Deep Purple. Ian Gillan interview, Mumbai 2002 |publisher=Deep-purple.net |date=2002-05-03 |access-date=2012-12-13}}</ref> The band retaliated by recording "Don & Dewey" which was, to all intents and purposes, identical to Deep Purple's "Wring That Neck".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://norselandsrock.com/deep-purple-its-a-beautiful-day/ |title=When Deep Purple and It's A Beautiful Day swapped song ideas |website=norselandsrock.com |date=2020-12-05 }}</ref> The vocals and violin playing of David LaFlamme plus Santos's singing attracted FM radio play attention, and nationally, "White Bird" bubbled under [[Billboard charts|Billboard's Hot 100 chart]], peaking at number 118.
The band's debut album, ''[[It's a Beautiful Day (album)|It's a Beautiful Day]]'', was produced by David LaFlamme in [[Los Angeles]], California, and released by [[Columbia Records]] in 1969. It features tracks such as "White Bird", "Hot Summer Day", and "Time Is". The album reached number 47 in the U.S. charts<ref name="US chart">[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/its-a-beautiful-day-mn0000109012/awards "It's a Beautiful Day USA chart history"]. [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved June 10, 2012.</ref> and number 58 in the UK.<ref name="UK chart">[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/it%27s%20a%20beautiful%20day/ "It's a Beautiful Day UK chart history"]. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2012.</ref> The theme from the song "Bombay Calling" was later used, at a slower tempo, by [[Deep Purple]] as the intro to "[[Child in Time]]" on its ''[[Deep Purple in Rock]]'' album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deep-purple.net/Review-files/asia2002/mumbai-gillan-interview.htm |title=Deep Purple. Ian Gillan interview, Mumbai 2002 |website=Deep-purple.net |date=2002-05-03 |access-date=2012-12-13}}</ref> The band retaliated by recording "Don & Dewey" which was, to all intents and purposes, identical to Deep Purple's "Wring That Neck".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://norselandsrock.com/deep-purple-its-a-beautiful-day/ |title=When Deep Purple and It's A Beautiful Day swapped song ideas |website=Norselandsrock.com |date=2020-12-05 }}</ref> The vocals and violin playing of David LaFlamme plus Santos' singing attracted FM-radio-play attention, and nationally, "White Bird" bubbled under [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' 's Hot 100 chart]], peaking at number 118.


==1970s and beyond==
==1970s and beyond==
By 1970, the original lineup of the band had changed; the LaFlammes had split up and Linda left the band, replaced by Fred Webb. On July 5, 1970, the band played the [[Atlanta International Pop Festival (1970)|second Atlanta International Pop Festival]] in [[Byron, Georgia]] to an estimated 250,000 people. The group's second album, ''[[Marrying Maiden]]'', recorded at [[Pacific High Recording|Pacific High Recording Studios]] in San Francisco,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eikEAAAAMBAJ&dq=pacific+high+recording+studio&pg=PA55 |title=Billboard |page=55 |date=1970-06-27 |access-date=2016-03-14}}</ref> was released in 1970. It was their most successful on the charts, reaching number 28 in the U.S.<ref name="US chart"/> and number 45 in the U.K.<ref name="UK chart"/> In that same year, the band performed at the [[Kralingen Music Festival|Holland Pop Festival]] at the Kralingse Bos in [[Rotterdam]], [[Netherlands]], and at the [[Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music]].
By 1970, the original lineup of the band had changed; the LaFlammes had split up and Linda left the band and was replaced by Fred Webb. On July 5, 1970, the band played the [[Atlanta International Pop Festival (1970)|second Atlanta International Pop Festival]] in [[Byron, Georgia]] to an estimated 250,000 people. The group's second album, ''[[Marrying Maiden]]'', recorded at [[Pacific High Recording|Pacific High Recording Studios]] in San Francisco,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eikEAAAAMBAJ&dq=pacific+high+recording+studio&pg=PA55 |title=Billboard |page=55 |date=1970-06-27 |access-date=2016-03-14}}</ref> was released in 1970. It was their most successful on the charts, reaching number 28 in the U.S.<ref name="US chart"/> and number 45 in the U.K.<ref name="UK chart"/> In that same year, the band performed at the [[Kralingen Music Festival|Holland Pop Festival]] at the Kralingse Bos in [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands, and at the [[Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music]].


It's a Beautiful Day was one of the last acts to appear at the [[Fillmore West]] in San Francisco in July 1971. Its performance of "White Bird" was featured as part of the musical [[documentary film]] ''[[Fillmore (film)|Fillmore]]'', released the following year.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book
It's a Beautiful Day was one of the last acts to appear at the [[Fillmore West]] in San Francisco in July 1971. Its performance of "White Bird" was featured as part of the musical [[documentary film]] ''[[Fillmore (film)|Fillmore]]'', released the following year.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book
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| page= 238
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| id= CN 5585}}</ref>
Mitchell Holman and Hal Wagenet left in the summer of 1971, replaced by bassist [[Tom Fowler (musician)|Tom Fowler]] (later with [[Frank Zappa]]) and guitarist Bill Gregory. Their first performance was broadcast live on San Francisco's [[KYLD#KSAN|KSAN]] FM radio, with host [[Tom Donahue (DJ)|Tom Donahue]] introducing them as the band's two new members.
Mitchell Holman and Hal Wagenet left in the summer of 1971 and were replaced by bassist [[Tom Fowler (musician)|Tom Fowler]] (later with [[Frank Zappa]]) and guitarist Bill Gregory. Their first performance was broadcast live on San Francisco's [[KYLD#KSAN|KSAN]] FM radio, with host [[Tom Donahue (DJ)|Tom Donahue]] introducing them as the band's two new members.


The group released their third album, ''Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime'', in 1971, followed by the live album, ''It's a Beautiful Day at Carnegie Hall'', in 1972. Tom Fowler left that same year. Citing exhaustion, and with differences arising over the direction and management of the band amongst band members, David LaFlamme resigned later in 1972. ''It's A Beautiful Day...Today'' was recorded and released the following year, the band touring until the summer of 1973 when it split up. Replacement bassist and vocalist [[Bud Cockrell|James "Bud" Cockrell]] would help form [[Pablo Cruise]] shortly thereafter, and violinist Gregory Bloch joined the Italian progressive rock group [[Premiata Forneria Marconi]] and later the [[Saturday Night Live Band]].
The group released their third album, ''Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime'', in 1971, followed by the live album, ''It's a Beautiful Day at Carnegie Hall'', in 1972. Tom Fowler left that same year. Citing exhaustion, and with differences arising over the direction and management of the band among band members, David LaFlamme resigned later in 1972. ''It's A Beautiful Day...Today'' was recorded and released the following year, and the band toured until the summer of 1973 when it split up. Replacement bassist and vocalist [[Bud Cockrell|James "Bud" Cockrell]] would help form [[Pablo Cruise]] shortly thereafter, and violinist Gregory Bloch joined the Italian progressive rock group [[Premiata Forneria Marconi]] and later the [[Saturday Night Live Band]].


In 1976, LaFlamme's solo version of "White Bird" finally cracked the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], peaking at No.&nbsp;89. Pattie Santos, who together with her husband, former group bassist Bud Cockrell, had formed Cockrell & Santos in 1977, was killed in a car crash near Geyserville in Sonoma County, California<ref>{{cite news|title=Victim in Fatal Valley Accident Identified|publisher=Healdsburg (Calif.) Tribune|date=December 20, 1989}}</ref> on December 14, 1989.<ref name="Patricia Dora Santos, 14 Dec 1989">{{cite web|title=California Death Index, 1940 - 1997|url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VPZW-86S|website=Family Search|publisher=citing Dept. of Public Health Services, Sacramento|access-date=October 10, 2014}}</ref> Cockrell himself died in 2010.
In 1976, LaFlamme's solo version of "White Bird" finally cracked the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], peaking at No.&nbsp;89. Pattie Santos, who had formed Cockrell & Santos with her husband, former bassist Bud Cockrell, in 1977, was killed in a car crash near Geyserville in Sonoma County, California<ref>{{cite news|title=Victim in Fatal Valley Accident Identified|publisher=Healdsburg (Calif.) Tribune|date=December 20, 1989}}</ref> on December 14, 1989.<ref name="Patricia Dora Santos, 14 Dec 1989">{{cite web|title=California Death Index, 1940 - 1997|url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VPZW-86S|website=Family Search|publisher=citing Dept. of Public Health Services, Sacramento|access-date=October 10, 2014}}</ref> Cockrell himself died in 2010.


It's a Beautiful Day reformed occasionally for reunions and special concerts. The band's music continued under the name David LaFlamme Band as well as It's a Beautiful Day until Katz let his trademark of the name go unrenewed, when the use of It's a Beautiful Day was formally resumed.
It's a Beautiful Day reformed occasionally for reunions and special concerts. The band's music continued under the name David LaFlamme Band as well as It's a Beautiful Day until Katz let his trademark of the name go unrenewed, and the use of It's a Beautiful Day was formally resumed.


Since 2000, It's a Beautiful Day features founder David LaFlamme and original drummer Fuentes. Other band members are LaFlamme's current wife, whom he met in 1974, Linda Baker LaFlamme (vocals), Toby Gray (bass), Gary Thomas (keyboards), Rob Espinosa (guitar) and Michael Prichard (percussion). They continue performing today, with LaFlamme contributing to Jefferson Starship's 2008 release, ''[[Jefferson's Tree of Liberty]]''. This line-up was the longest continual group that has ever performed the band's material. In 2014, Rob Cunningham replaced Espinosa on lead guitar. Rob Espinosa returned as lead guitar in 2018
From 2000, It's a Beautiful Day featured founder David LaFlamme and original drummer Fuentes. Other band members are LaFlamme's current wife, whom he met in 1974, Linda Baker LaFlamme (vocals), Toby Gray (bass), Gary Thomas (keyboards), Rob Espinosa (guitar), and Michael Prichard (percussion). This line-up was the longest continual group that has ever performed the band's material. In 2014, Rob Cunningham replaced Espinosa on lead guitar. Rob Espinosa returned as lead guitar in 2018.


In 2009 David LaFlamme began playing with the Phil Lawrence Band and transformed the group into [http://www.phillawrence.com/itsabeautifuldayacoustic.html It's A Beautiful Day Acoustic]. The band played acoustic versions of the best-known originals from the early albums, plus instrumental originals by [http://phillawrence.com/home.html Phil Lawrence] on the mandolin. They performed until the pandemic shutdown in March 2020.
In 2009 David LaFlamme began playing with the Phil Lawrence Band and transformed the group into It's A Beautiful Day Acoustic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.phillawrence.com/itsabeautifuldayacoustic.html|title=It's a Beautiful Day Acoustic Home|website=Phillawrence.com|access-date=October 30, 2024}}</ref> The band played acoustic versions of the best-known originals from the early albums, plus instrumental originals by Phil Lawrence on the mandolin. They performed until the pandemic shutdown in March 2020.

In later years, David LaFlamme suffered from Parkinson's disease. He died in [[Santa Rosa, California]] on August 6, 2023, at the age of 82.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tamarkin |first1=Jeff |title=David LaFlamme, Leader of San Francisco's It's a Beautiful Day, Dies |url=https://bestclassicbands.com/david-laflamme-obituary-8-8-23/ |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=Bestclassicbands.com|date=8 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Brian |title=David LaFlamme, violin innovator of 1960s with 'White Bird,' dies at 82 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/08/10/david-laflamme-violinist-white-bird-dies/ |access-date=10 August 2023 |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=10 August 2023}}</ref>

Linda LaFlamme died from vascular dementia on October 23, 2024, at the age of 85.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/08/arts/music/linda-laflamme-dead.html|title=Linda LaFlamme dead|website=Nytimes.com|access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref><ref name="obit_freeSource">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/harrisonburg-va/linda-laflamme-12041236|title=Linda LaFlamme Obituary - Harrisonburg, VA|website=Dignitymemorial.com|access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref>


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
'''Current members'''
'''Current members'''
⚫
* [[David LaFlamme]]{{spaced ndash}} vocals, violin, rhythm guitar <small>(1967–1972, 1997–present)</small>
* Linda Baker LaFlamme (aka Dominique Dellacroix){{spaced ndash}} vocals, backing vocals <small>(1997–present)</small>
* [[Val Fuentes]]{{spaced ndash}} drums, backing vocals <small>(1967–1973, 1997–present)</small>
* [[Val Fuentes]]{{spaced ndash}} drums, backing vocals <small>(1967–1973, 1997–present)</small>
* Toby Gray{{spaced ndash}} bass, harmonica, backing vocals <small>(1980-1985 2000––present)</small>
* Toby Gray{{spaced ndash}} bass, harmonica, backing vocals <small>(1980–1985, 2000–present)</small>
* Gary Thomas{{spaced ndash}} keyboards, backing vocals <small>(2000–present)</small>
* Gary Thomas{{spaced ndash}} keyboards, backing vocals <small>(2000–present)</small>
* Rob Espinosa{{spaced ndash}} guitars, backing vocals <small>(2000-present)</small>
* Rob Espinosa{{spaced ndash}} guitars, backing vocals <small>(2000–present)</small>
* Michael Prichard{{spaced ndash}} percussion <small>(2006–present)</small>
* Michael Prichard{{spaced ndash}} percussion <small>(2006–present)</small>


'''Former members'''
'''Former members'''
* Pattie Santos{{spaced ndash}} vocals, backing vocals, percussion <small>(1967–1973; died 1989)</small>
* [[David LaFlamme]]{{spaced ndash}} vocals, violin, rhythm guitar, flute, backing vocals <small>(1967–1972, 1997–2023; died 2023)</small>
* Linda LaFlamme{{spaced ndash}} keyboards <small>(1967–1969)</small>
* Pattie Santos{{spaced ndash}} vocals, percussion, backing vocals <small>(1967–1973; died 1989)</small>
⚫
* [[Linda LaFlamme]]{{spaced ndash}} keyboards <small>(1967–1969; died 2024)</small>
* Mitchell Holman{{spaced ndash}} bass, harmonica, backing vocals <small>(1967–1971, plus several reunions)</small>
* Mitchell Holman{{spaced ndash}} bass, harmonica, backing vocals <small>(1967–1971, plus several reunions)</small>
* Hal Wagenet{{spaced ndash}} guitar <small>(1968–1971, plus several reunions)</small>
* Hal Wagenet{{spaced ndash}} guitar <small>(1968–1971, plus several reunions)</small>
* Fred Webb{{spaced ndash}} keyboards, backing vocals <small>(1969–1973; died 1989)</small>
* Fred Webb{{spaced ndash}} keyboards, french horn, harp, backing vocals <small>(1969–1973; died 1989)</small>
* [[Tom Fowler (musician)|Tom Fowler]]{{spaced ndash}} bass <small>(1971–1972)</small>
* [[Tom Fowler (musician)|Tom Fowler]]{{spaced ndash}} bass <small>(1971–1972; died 2024)</small>
* Bill Gregory{{spaced ndash}} guitar <small>(1971–1973)</small>
* Bill Gregory{{spaced ndash}} guitar <small>(1971–1973)</small>
* [[Bud Cockrell]]{{spaced ndash}} bass, vocals <small>(1972–1973; died 2010)</small>
* [[Bud Cockrell]]{{spaced ndash}} vocals, bass <small>(1972–1973; died 2010)</small>
* Greg Bloch{{spaced ndash}} violin, mandolin <small>(1972–1973; died 1989)</small>
* Greg Bloch{{spaced ndash}} violin, mandolin <small>(1972–1973; died 1989)</small>
* Rob Cunningham{{spaced ndash}} guitar, backing vocals <small>(2014–2018)</small>
* Rob Cunningham{{spaced ndash}} guitar, backing vocals <small>(2014–2018)</small>
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id:dr value:orange legend:Drums
id:dr value:orange legend:Drums
id:perc value:claret legend:Percussion
id:perc value:claret legend:Percussion
id:album value:black legend:Studio_release
id:album value:black legend:Album_release


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at:01/07/1970 color:album
at:01/07/1970 color:album
at:01/07/1971 color:album
at:01/07/1971 color:album
at:01/07/1972 color:album
at:01/07/1973 color:album
at:01/07/1973 color:album


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width:11
width:11
bar:David&nbsp;LaFlamme from:start till:01/07/1972 color:voc
bar:David&nbsp;LaFlamme from:start till:01/07/1972 color:voc
bar:David&nbsp;LaFlamme from:01/07/1997 till:end color:voc
bar:David&nbsp;LaFlamme from:01/07/1997 till:08/08/2023 color:voc
bar:Pattie&nbsp;Santos from:start till:01/01/1974 color:voc
bar:Pattie&nbsp;Santos from:start till:01/01/1974 color:voc
bar:L.B.&nbsp;LaFlamme from:01/07/1997 till:end color:voc
bar:L.B.&nbsp;LaFlamme from:01/07/1997 till:end color:voc
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bar:Pattie&nbsp;Santos from:start till:01/01/1974 color:perc
bar:Pattie&nbsp;Santos from:start till:01/01/1974 color:perc
bar:David&nbsp;LaFlamme from:start till:01/07/1972 color:viol
bar:David&nbsp;LaFlamme from:start till:01/07/1972 color:viol
bar:David&nbsp;LaFlamme from:01/07/1997 till:end color:viol
bar:David&nbsp;LaFlamme from:01/07/1997 till:08/08/2023 color:viol
bar:Bud&nbsp;Cockrell from:01/07/1972 till:01/01/1974 color:voc
bar:Bud&nbsp;Cockrell from:01/07/1972 till:01/01/1974 color:voc
}}
}}


==Discography==
==Discography==

===Albums===

===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
*''[[It's a Beautiful Day (album)|It's a Beautiful Day]]'' (Columbia Records, 1969) US Album Chart No.&nbsp;47 / UK Album Chart No.&nbsp;58, 1970 (US: Gold<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=a+BEAUTIFUL+DAY&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA|work=RIAA|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en-US}}</ref>)
*''[[It's a Beautiful Day (album)|It's a Beautiful Day]]'' (Columbia Records, 1969) US LP Chart No.&nbsp;47 / UK LP Chart No.&nbsp;58 / CA LP Chart No. 72 / US RIAA: Gold<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=a+BEAUTIFUL+DAY&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA|work=RIAA|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
*''[[Marrying Maiden]]'' (Columbia Records, 1970) US Album Chart No.&nbsp;28 / UK Album Chart No.&nbsp;45, 1970
*''[[Marrying Maiden]]'' (Columbia Records, 1970) US LP Chart No.&nbsp;28 / UK LP Chart No.&nbsp;45 / CA LP Chart No. 35
*''Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime'' (Columbia Records, 1971) US Album Chart No.&nbsp;130, 1971
*''Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime'' (Columbia Records, 1971) US LP Chart No.&nbsp;130
*''It's a Beautiful Day... Today'' (Columbia Records, 1973) US Album Chart No.&nbsp;114
*''It's a Beautiful Day...Today'' (Columbia Records, 1973) US LP Chart No.&nbsp;114


===Other albums===
===Other albums===
*''It's a Beautiful Day at Carnegie Hall'' (Live) (Columbia Records, 1972) US Album Chart No. 144
*''At Carnegie Hall'' (Live) (Columbia Records, 1972) US LP Chart No. 144
*''1001 Nights'' (Compilation) (Columbia Records (Import Only), 1974)
*''White Bird'' (David LaFlamme) (Amherst Records, 1976)
*''White Bird'' (David LaFlamme) (Amherst Records, 1976)
*''Inside Out'' (David LaFlamme) (Amherst Records, 1978)
*''Inside Out'' (David LaFlamme) (Amherst Records, 1978)
*''Creed of Love'' (Live at the Fillmore West in 1971) (It's About Music, Strawberry Records, 1998)
*''Workin' the Gold Mine'' (Live) (David & Linda LaFlamme) (It's About Music, Classic Music Vault, 2000)
*''Workin' the Gold Mine'' (Live) (David & Linda LaFlamme) (It's About Music, Classic Music Vault, 2000)
*''Beyond Dreams'' (David LaFlamme) (Repertoire Records, Classic Music Vault, 2003)
*''Beyond Dreams'' (David LaFlamme) (Repertoire Records, Classic Music Vault, 2003)
Line 160: Line 161:
*''Live in Seattle'' (Live) (David LaFlamme) (It's About Music, 2004)
*''Live in Seattle'' (Live) (David LaFlamme) (It's About Music, 2004)
*''Misery Loves Company'' (David LaFlamme) (It's About Music, 2005)
*''Misery Loves Company'' (David LaFlamme) (It's About Music, 2005)
⚫
*''The Columbia Years 1969-1973'' (Compilation Box Set) (Muskrat Records, 2008)
*''Girl With No Eyes'' (Hookah Records, 2013)
*''Live at the Fillmore '68'' (Live) (Classic Music Vault, 2013), with DVD ''The David LaFlamme Story''
*''Live at the Fillmore '68'' (Live) (Classic Music Vault, 2013), with DVD ''The David LaFlamme Story''

===Compilation albums===
*''A Thousand And One Nights'' (CBS Records, 1973) (UK Import)
*''Rock Giants'' (CBS Records, 1982) (Dutch Import)
*''Greatest Hits'' (TRC Records, 1995) (German Import)
*''It's a Beautiful Day / Marrying Maiden'' (Sony Music, 1998) (UK Import)
⚫
*''The Columbia Years 1969-1973'' (Limited Edition Box Set) (Muskrat Records, 2008) (Japanese Import)


===Singles===
===Singles===
*"Bulgaria" / "Aquarian Dream" (1968) San Francisco Sound 7
*"Bulgaria" / "Aquarian Dream" (1968) San Francisco Sound 11680
*"[[White Bird (song)|White Bird]]" / "Wasted Union Blues" (1969) Columbia 44928
*"[[White Bird (song)|White Bird]]" / "Wasted Union Blues" (1969) Columbia 44928
*"Soapstone Mountain" / "Good Lovin'" (1970) Columbia 45152
*"Soapstone Mountain" / "Good Lovin'" (1970) Columbia 45152
*"The Dolphins" / "Do You Remember the Sun" (1970) Columbia 45309
*"The Dolphins" / "Do You Remember the Sun" (1970) Columbia 45309
*"Anytime" / "Oranges and Apples" (1972) Columbia 45536
*"Anytime" / "Oranges and Apples" (1972) Columbia 45536
*"White Bird" (live) / "Wasted Union Blues" (live) (1973) Columbia 45788
*"White Bird" / "Wasted Union Blues" (1973) Columbia 45788
*"Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" / "Time" (1973) Columbia 45853
*"Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" / "Time" (1973) Columbia 45853


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
{{portal|Jazz|Rock music}}
* [[List of bands from the San Francisco Bay Area]]
* [[List of bands from the San Francisco Bay Area]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
⚫
{{portal|Jazz|Rock music}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.davidlaflamme.com/ David LaFlamme Presents the Music of It's a Beautiful Day]
* [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p4565|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic.com]
* [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p4565|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic.com]
* {{Discogs artist|It's A Beautiful Day}}
* {{Discogs artist|It's A Beautiful Day}}

Latest revision as of 16:22, 29 November 2024

For other uses, see It's a Beautiful Day (disambiguation).

It's a Beautiful Day
The band in 1972.
The band in 1972.
Background information
OriginSan Francisco, California, United States
GenresPsychedelic rock, folk rock, classical, jazz
Years active1967–1973, 2000–present
LabelsCBS, Columbia
MembersVal Fuentes
Linda Baker LaFlamme
Toby Gray
Rob Espinosa
Gary Thomas
Michael Prichard
Past membersDavid LaFlamme
Pattie Santos
Linda LaFlamme
Mitchell Holman
Hal Wagenet
Fred Webb
Tom Fowler
Bill Gregory
Bud Cockrell
Greg Bloch
Rob Cunningham

It's a Beautiful Day is an American band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1967, featuring vocalist Pattie Santos along with violinist David LaFlamme and his wife, Linda LaFlamme, on keyboards.

David LaFlamme, who as a youth had once performed as a soloist with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, had previously been in the group Orkustra playing five-string violin. The other members of It's a Beautiful Day in its early years were Val Fuentes (drums), Mitchell Holman (bass) and Hal Wagenet (guitar). Although they were one of the notable San Francisco bands to emerge from 1967's Summer of Love, the band never achieved the success of contemporaries such as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Santana, with whom they had connections. The band created a unique blend of rock, jazz, folk, classical, and world-beat styles.

Early history: 1967–1969

[edit]

The band's original manager, Matthew Katz, had previously worked with the rock bands Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape. The members of the band were unaware that the other two bands were already trying to end their business relationships with Katz. During 1967 and early 1968, Katz prevented It's a Beautiful Day from performing in San Francisco, telling them they were not ready. He booked their first public appearances at a club he controlled in Seattle, Washington, formerly known as the Encore Ballroom. Katz renamed the club San Francisco Sound. While in Seattle, the group lived in the attic of an old house owned by Katz while writing and rehearsing new songs in between club performances. Few customers came to the club during the band's engagement in Seattle during December 1967.

The band's signature song "White Bird" was inspired by the experiences David and Linda LaFlamme had while living in Seattle. The song was partly inspired by Seattle's rainy winter weather. In a later interview, David LaFlamme said:

Where the 'white bird' thing came from ... We were like caged birds in that attic. We had no money, no transportation, the weather was miserable. We were just barely getting by on a very small food allowance provided to us. It was quite an experience, but it was very creative in a way.[1]

By the time the group members returned to San Francisco they had no money and were frustrated by Katz's attempts to manipulate their career. In desperation, they began playing at a few clubs without his approval. The band gradually gained some recognition and earned some money. Some of that recognition came from their performance at the Sky River Rock Festival and Lighter Than Air Fair, occurring over the 1968 Labor Day weekend in Sultan, Washington. Sky River is considered by many to be the first successful multi-day rock festival, and a number of major bands had the opportunity to hear It's a Beautiful Day there. The band got its first big break when offered a chance to open for Cream at the Oakland Coliseum, in Oakland, California on October 4, 1968. Around this time, the band first began a long process of trying to disentangle themselves from Katz.

The band's debut album, It's a Beautiful Day, was produced by David LaFlamme in Los Angeles, California, and released by Columbia Records in 1969. It features tracks such as "White Bird", "Hot Summer Day", and "Time Is". The album reached number 47 in the U.S. charts[2] and number 58 in the UK.[3] The theme from the song "Bombay Calling" was later used, at a slower tempo, by Deep Purple as the intro to "Child in Time" on its Deep Purple in Rock album.[4] The band retaliated by recording "Don & Dewey" which was, to all intents and purposes, identical to Deep Purple's "Wring That Neck".[5] The vocals and violin playing of David LaFlamme plus Santos' singing attracted FM-radio-play attention, and nationally, "White Bird" bubbled under Billboard 's Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 118.

1970s and beyond

[edit]

By 1970, the original lineup of the band had changed; the LaFlammes had split up and Linda left the band and was replaced by Fred Webb. On July 5, 1970, the band played the second Atlanta International Pop Festival in Byron, Georgia to an estimated 250,000 people. The group's second album, Marrying Maiden, recorded at Pacific High Recording Studios in San Francisco,[6] was released in 1970. It was their most successful on the charts, reaching number 28 in the U.S.[2] and number 45 in the U.K.[3] In that same year, the band performed at the Holland Pop Festival at the Kralingse Bos in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music.

It's a Beautiful Day was one of the last acts to appear at the Fillmore West in San Francisco in July 1971. Its performance of "White Bird" was featured as part of the musical documentary film Fillmore, released the following year.[7] Mitchell Holman and Hal Wagenet left in the summer of 1971 and were replaced by bassist Tom Fowler (later with Frank Zappa) and guitarist Bill Gregory. Their first performance was broadcast live on San Francisco's KSAN FM radio, with host Tom Donahue introducing them as the band's two new members.

The group released their third album, Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime, in 1971, followed by the live album, It's a Beautiful Day at Carnegie Hall, in 1972. Tom Fowler left that same year. Citing exhaustion, and with differences arising over the direction and management of the band among band members, David LaFlamme resigned later in 1972. It's A Beautiful Day...Today was recorded and released the following year, and the band toured until the summer of 1973 when it split up. Replacement bassist and vocalist James "Bud" Cockrell would help form Pablo Cruise shortly thereafter, and violinist Gregory Bloch joined the Italian progressive rock group Premiata Forneria Marconi and later the Saturday Night Live Band.

In 1976, LaFlamme's solo version of "White Bird" finally cracked the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 89. Pattie Santos, who had formed Cockrell & Santos with her husband, former bassist Bud Cockrell, in 1977, was killed in a car crash near Geyserville in Sonoma County, California[8] on December 14, 1989.[9] Cockrell himself died in 2010.

It's a Beautiful Day reformed occasionally for reunions and special concerts. The band's music continued under the name David LaFlamme Band as well as It's a Beautiful Day until Katz let his trademark of the name go unrenewed, and the use of It's a Beautiful Day was formally resumed.

From 2000, It's a Beautiful Day featured founder David LaFlamme and original drummer Fuentes. Other band members are LaFlamme's current wife, whom he met in 1974, Linda Baker LaFlamme (vocals), Toby Gray (bass), Gary Thomas (keyboards), Rob Espinosa (guitar), and Michael Prichard (percussion). This line-up was the longest continual group that has ever performed the band's material. In 2014, Rob Cunningham replaced Espinosa on lead guitar. Rob Espinosa returned as lead guitar in 2018.

In 2009 David LaFlamme began playing with the Phil Lawrence Band and transformed the group into It's A Beautiful Day Acoustic.[10] The band played acoustic versions of the best-known originals from the early albums, plus instrumental originals by Phil Lawrence on the mandolin. They performed until the pandemic shutdown in March 2020.

In later years, David LaFlamme suffered from Parkinson's disease. He died in Santa Rosa, California on August 6, 2023, at the age of 82.[11][12]

Linda LaFlamme died from vascular dementia on October 23, 2024, at the age of 85.[13][14]

Personnel

[edit]

Current members

  • Val Fuentes – drums, backing vocals (1967–1973, 1997–present)
  • Toby Gray – bass, harmonica, backing vocals (1980–1985, 2000–present)
  • Gary Thomas – keyboards, backing vocals (2000–present)
  • Rob Espinosa – guitars, backing vocals (2000–present)
  • Michael Prichard – percussion (2006–present)

Former members

  • David LaFlamme – vocals, violin, rhythm guitar, flute, backing vocals (1967–1972, 1997–2023; died 2023)
  • Pattie Santos – vocals, percussion, backing vocals (1967–1973; died 1989)
  • Linda LaFlamme – keyboards (1967–1969; died 2024)
  • Mitchell Holman – bass, harmonica, backing vocals (1967–1971, plus several reunions)
  • Hal Wagenet – guitar (1968–1971, plus several reunions)
  • Fred Webb – keyboards, french horn, harp, backing vocals (1969–1973; died 1989)
  • Tom Fowler – bass (1971–1972; died 2024)
  • Bill Gregory – guitar (1971–1973)
  • Bud Cockrell – vocals, bass (1972–1973; died 2010)
  • Greg Bloch – violin, mandolin (1972–1973; died 1989)
  • Rob Cunningham – guitar, backing vocals (2014–2018)

Timeline

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
  • It's a Beautiful Day (Columbia Records, 1969) US LP Chart No. 47 / UK LP Chart No. 58 / CA LP Chart No. 72 / US RIAA: Gold[15]
  • Marrying Maiden (Columbia Records, 1970) US LP Chart No. 28 / UK LP Chart No. 45 / CA LP Chart No. 35
  • Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime (Columbia Records, 1971) US LP Chart No. 130
  • It's a Beautiful Day...Today (Columbia Records, 1973) US LP Chart No. 114

Other albums

[edit]
  • At Carnegie Hall (Live) (Columbia Records, 1972) US LP Chart No. 144
  • White Bird (David LaFlamme) (Amherst Records, 1976)
  • Inside Out (David LaFlamme) (Amherst Records, 1978)
  • Creed of Love (Live at the Fillmore West in 1971) (It's About Music, Strawberry Records, 1998)
  • Workin' the Gold Mine (Live) (David & Linda LaFlamme) (It's About Music, Classic Music Vault, 2000)
  • Beyond Dreams (David LaFlamme) (Repertoire Records, Classic Music Vault, 2003)
  • Hot Summer Days - San Francisco Nights (David LaFlamme) (Non-labeled, 2004)
  • Live in Seattle (Live) (David LaFlamme) (It's About Music, 2004)
  • Misery Loves Company (David LaFlamme) (It's About Music, 2005)
  • Live at the Fillmore '68 (Live) (Classic Music Vault, 2013), with DVD The David LaFlamme Story

Compilation albums

[edit]
  • A Thousand And One Nights (CBS Records, 1973) (UK Import)
  • Rock Giants (CBS Records, 1982) (Dutch Import)
  • Greatest Hits (TRC Records, 1995) (German Import)
  • It's a Beautiful Day / Marrying Maiden (Sony Music, 1998) (UK Import)
  • The Columbia Years 1969-1973 (Limited Edition Box Set) (Muskrat Records, 2008) (Japanese Import)

Singles

[edit]
  • "Bulgaria" / "Aquarian Dream" (1968) San Francisco Sound 11680
  • "White Bird" / "Wasted Union Blues" (1969) Columbia 44928
  • "Soapstone Mountain" / "Good Lovin'" (1970) Columbia 45152
  • "The Dolphins" / "Do You Remember the Sun" (1970) Columbia 45309
  • "Anytime" / "Oranges and Apples" (1972) Columbia 45536
  • "White Bird" / "Wasted Union Blues" (1973) Columbia 45788
  • "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" / "Time" (1973) Columbia 45853

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "It's A Beautiful Day". Pnwbands.com. Retrieved September 7, 2009.
  2. ^ a b "It's a Beautiful Day USA chart history". Allmusic. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "It's a Beautiful Day UK chart history". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  4. ^ "Deep Purple. Ian Gillan interview, Mumbai 2002". Deep-purple.net. May 3, 2002. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  5. ^ "When Deep Purple and It's A Beautiful Day swapped song ideas". Norselandsrock.com. December 5, 2020.
  6. ^ "Billboard". June 27, 1970. p. 55. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  7. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 238. CN 5585.
  8. ^ "Victim in Fatal Valley Accident Identified". Healdsburg (Calif.) Tribune. December 20, 1989.
  9. ^ "California Death Index, 1940 - 1997". Family Search. citing Dept. of Public Health Services, Sacramento. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  10. ^ "It's a Beautiful Day Acoustic Home". Phillawrence.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Tamarkin, Jeff (August 8, 2023). "David LaFlamme, Leader of San Francisco's It's a Beautiful Day, Dies". Bestclassicbands.com. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  12. ^ Murphy, Brian (August 10, 2023). "David LaFlamme, violin innovator of 1960s with 'White Bird,' dies at 82". Washington Post. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  13. ^ "Linda LaFlamme dead". Nytimes.com. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  14. ^ "Linda LaFlamme Obituary - Harrisonburg, VA". Dignitymemorial.com. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
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