George Biondo

George Michael Biondo (born September 3, 1945) is a musician who served as bass guitarist of the Canadian rock band Steppenwolf from April 1970 to October 1976. Born in New York, Biondo has been based in Southern California throughout a career as a session musician and songwriter.

Early career Biondo played bass in a Los Angeles area band called Storybook People during which time they released a single on Dunhill Records, which received limited airplay in Los Angeles. In 1968, Biondo replaced Nick St. Nicholas in another Los Angeles area band called T.I.M.E., when St. Nicholas departed for Steppenwolf. After T.I.M.E. guitarist Larry Byrom also left to join Steppenwolf, T.I.M.E. briefly attempted to carry on with Biondo as lead singer, but never released any further recordings.

Steppenwolf In early 1970, Biondo replaced St. Nicholas a second time when he joined Steppenwolf for the recording of Steppenwolf 7, contributing lead vocals on "Fat Jack" and co-lead vocals on "Foggy Mental Breakdown" and the chart-hit, "Who Needs Ya'". In 1971, the band released their last new album for Dunhill, For Ladies Only for which Biondo wrote "Sparkle Eyes" with John Kay and "In Hopes of a Garden". He sang lead on the latter, as well as "Jaded Strumpet". In 1981, Biondo added backing vocals to Wolftracks, the first studio album by John Kay and his new band, now under the moniker John Kay & Steppenwolf. When Steel Rose disbanded in 1984, Biondo returned to writing and freelance club and session work.

Discography

Studio albums My Sportin Life ("Sing with the Children" only)1973Dunhill Records Wolftracks1982 Attic Records

Compilations

Singles Release dateA-sideB-sideUS Chart PeakUK Chart Peak 1967 "Do You Believe" "Afternoon Glare" "No Return" 1970 "Screaming Night Hog" (Kay) "Spiritual Fantasy" (Kay)62 "Who Needs Ya" (Byrom/Kay) "Earschplittenloudenboomer" (Byrom)54 "Snowblind Friend" (Axton) "Hippo Stomp" (Byrom/Kay) 1971 "Ride With Me" (Bonfire) "For Madmen Only" 52 "For Ladies Only" (Edmonton/Henry/Kay/McJohn) "Sparkle Eyes" (Biondo/Kay)64 1974 "Straight Shootin' Woman" (Edmonton) "Justice Don't Be Slow" (Kay/Richie)291975 "Get Into The Wind" (Cochran/Van Beek) "Morning Blue" (Biondo) "Smokey Factory Blues" (Hammond/Hazlewood) "A Fool's Fantasy" (McJohn) "Caroline (Are You Ready)" (Bonfire) "Angeldrawers"