Named after a Chuck Berry song, rock group Jo Jo Gunne formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971. Founded by former Spirit members Jay Ferguson (vocals / keyboards / guitar) and Mark Andes (bass), they were joined by Mark’s brother Matt Andes (guitar / vocals) and drummer William ‘Curly’ Smith. Both Ferguson and Mark Andes had left Spirit at the height of their popularity so anticipation for their debut album was high. Signed to Asylum Records, the quartet released their self-titled debut in 1972. Rising to number 57 on the Billboard 200, the album included “Run Run Run,” which hit number 6 on the UK singles chart and made the Top 30 min Canada. Founding member Mark Andes left after the first album and was replaced by bassist Jimmie Randall. The group’s commercial momentum slowed down by the time they released their second and third albums - Bite Down Hard (1973) and Jumpin’ the Gunne (1973) – and Matt Andes left the group. After one more album, 1974’s “So… Where’s the Show?”, Jo Jo Gunne split up in ‘74. Jay Ferguson pursued a solo career and scored a Top 10 hit with the song “Thunder Island” in 1977. The original Jo Jo Gunne reunited in the early 1990s and recorded new material, but nothing was released. They came together again in 2005 and recorded the album Big Chain, which was released that year.
