Jim Pons

Jim Pons (born March 14, 1943) is an American bassist, author, singer, and video director who most notably played for the Leaves (1964–1967), the Turtles (1967–1970), and the Mothers of Invention (1970–1971), and Flo & Eddie (1971–1973).

After leaving the music scene in 1973, he worked as a video director for the New York Jets, and briefly the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pons designed the Jets team logo that was used from 1978 to 1997.

Early life Pons was born in Santa Monica, California.

The Leaves

In 1964, Pons formed the garage rock band The Leaves. The band was founded by Pons and guitarist Robert Lee Reiner, who were Fraternity students at Cal State Northridge (then known as San Fernando Valley State College).

They were originally called The Rockwells, prior to changing their names to The Leaves. They acquired the name Leaves when one of the members greeted another by saying “What’s happening?”, and the other responding with “The Leaves are happening”.

The Leaves eventually secured a regular gig replacing the Byrds as the house band at the nightclub Ciro's on the Sunset Strip. They signed with Mira Records after being heard by Pat Boone, who got them the position.

The Leaves are noted for recording an early version of the song "Hey Joe", which they recorded along with their debut album in 1966. Their version of Hey Joe was #1 on the Los Angeles stations and peaked at #31 on the Billboard pop charts in May 1966.

Pons was a member of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention (1970-1971). He played bass on their albums Fillmore East – June 1971, Just Another Band From L.A., and Playground Psychotics. Pons portrayed himself in Zappa's 1971 surrealist film 200 Motels, starring the members of the Mothers Of Invention.

Plastic Ono Band Pons performed with Plastic Ono Band with the Mothers of Invention on 6 June 1971 for the concert at the Fillmore East, later released as: for Plastic Ono Band on Some Time in New York City (1972) as Live Jam for Mothers of Invention on Playground Psychotics, and The Mothers 1971

Video directing In 1973, after a Flo and Eddie tour, Pons moved to New York, where he received a call from John Beck, Pons designed the team's 1978–97 team logo. He held this position until around the year 2000.

Pons and his family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 2005, where he did game day video for the Jacksonville Jaguars until he retired.

Personal life Pons plays a U-bass in a bluegrass band called Lonesome Ride in Jacksonville.

Book In 2017, Pons wrote an autobiography titled Hard Core Love: Sex, Football and Rock and Roll in the Kingdom of God which won the 2017 Florida Writers Association Book of the Year award. The book describes his spiritual journey during his careers in the music and sports industries.

Discography

With The Leaves

Albums Hey Joe (1966) All The Good That's Happening (1967) The Leaves 1966 (1982)

Singles

"Love Minus Zero" / "Too Many People" "Hey Joe, Where You Gonna Go" / "Be with You" "You Better Move On" / "A Different Story" "Be with You" / "Funny Little Word" "Hey Joe" / "Girl from the East" "Hey Joe" / "Funny Little World" "Too Many People" / "Girl from the East" "Get Out of My Life Woman" / "Girl from the East" "Be with You" / "You Better Move On" "Lemmon Princess" / "Twilight Sanctuary"

With The Turtles

Studio albums

Singles YearTitle (A-side / B-side)

With The Mothers of Invention

Studio albums TitleYearFillmore East – June 1971 (with The Mothers of Invention)1971200 Motels (with The Mothers of Invention)Just Another Band From L.A. (with The Mothers of Invention)1972

Singles Single (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicatedAlbumYear"Tears Began to Fall" (single mix and edit) b/w "Junier Mintz Boogie" (non-album track)Fillmore East – June 19711971

Filmography

200 Motels (1971) — himself (uncredited)