Zephyr were a blues-based hard rock band formed in Colorado in the late 1960s that featured flamboyant guitarist Tommy Bolin, who left after three years and was a member of the James Gang and Deep Purple with a short solo career until his death in 1976 from a heroin overdose at the age of 25. With singer Candy Givens, John Faris on keyboards, David Givens on bass and Robbie Chamberlin on drums, they debuted with an eponymous album in 1969. It peaked only at number 48 on the Billboard 200 but is regarded fondly by fans of raucous guitar playing and rowdy vocals.
A second album, 'Going Back to Colorado', came out in 1971 and then Bolin quit to be replaced by Jock Bartley, who played on their next release, 'Sunset Ride', in 1972. Bartley left soon after and assorted performers came and went after that as Zephyr continued to play live but did not go into the recording studio again until 'Zephyr Heartbeat' in 1982. Bass player Otis Taylor, drummer Kenny Wilkins, and guitarists Zack Smith and Eddie Turner were among artists who played with David and Candy Givens until the latter's death in 1984.
In 2014, David Givens joined producer Greg Hampton to put together a 45th anniversary album, 'Going Back to Colorado/Leaving Colorado' by Zephyr featuring Tommy Bolin. It featured remastered, bonus and unreleased studio and live tracks. Tommy Bolin Archives released a concert album, 'Zephyr Live at Art's Bar & Grill, May 2, 1973', in 2016. 'Going Back to Colorado' was combined with another digitally remastered release, 'Sunset Ride', in 2017 and Zephyr videos featuring Candy Givens vocals are also available via www.zephyr-official.com.
