Prime Movers Blues Band with Iggy Pop "Yonder's Wall"

The Prime Mover Blues Band formed in the summer of 1965, lasted about five years and, like all things in life, gradually dissolved. Iggy, of course, went on to create 'The Stooges', Jack Dawson to play bass with the Siegel-Schwall Blues Band, Robert Sheff to become the avant-garde composer Blue Gene Tyranny, Daniel Erlewine to play lead guitar for the Sam Lay Blues Band (and to build guitars for the likes of Jerry Garcia and Albert King), and Michael Erlewine became an archivist, interviewed most of the blues greats, and created the All-Music Guide (allmusic.com) and other large Internet sites. By March of 1971, Michael was the only one left, playing piano and singing in bars under the name "Ann Arbor Heart Song." It was then that he met the love of his life, Margaret, married her, and found what he had been searching for and singing about. He gradually stopped playing.

Over the years there were more than 37 members in the Prime Movers. A few of these are listed below:

Lead Singer, harmonica
Michael Erlewine

Guitars:
Daniel Erlewine
Craig Johnson
Ron Asheton
Jay Edwards

Keyboards:
Robert Sheff
Garby Leon

Bass Guitar:
Jack Dawson
Ilene Silverman
R.T. Vinopal

Drums:
James Osterberg (Iggy Pop)
J.C. Crawford
Phillip Erlewine

We are happy to say the Michael and Daniel Erlewine, Robert Sheff, and Jack Dawson are all still alive and well. Iggy Pop is alive, but is not in touch with the rest of the band.

This video was created, edited, and compiled by Michael Erlewine. A full album of the original Prime Movers Blues Band will be available soon. If you wish to be notified, feel free to email:

Michael@Erlewine.net

Photo of Panther White by Stanley Livingston

Photo of Prime Movers at table by Andy Sax

Produced at Heart Center Studios in Big Rapids, Michigan

Copyright 2008
by Michael Erlewine

Analog to Digital Transfer by
www.FilmTransfer.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Prime
• Movers
• Blues
• Erlewine
• Osterberg
• Iggy
• Pop
• HCS
• Heart
• Center
• Studios

[orangek8]

I LOVE seeing the artwork from these Prime Movers posters and paraphernalia! It is an exciting peek into the past. The art is so creative and enticing. I wish I could travel back in time for a show! This is sort of like a little time machine!

[merlewine]

If you are who I believe you are, your dad helped but up all that artwork.

- Michael

[Jenscool]

Bad ass blues will live on!!!

[jdw99]

Good stuff. My favorite version of this song is from the Hoodoo Man Blues album that Junior Wells and Buddy Guy did,. But this is a nice laid back, kind of spooky version, I will definitely give it another listen in the future!

[oneminuteworkshop]

OK, I give in. I DO want a copy of the Prime Movers album. You guys sounded damn good. -te

[orangek8]

That's me! Aw, cool!

[hyperpoesia]

again, i can't thank you enough for this treasure from the vaults. it's great to see how the whole scene fits together, or to get a little piece of the puzzle filled in.