Carrion
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History
Carrion
1971
Late January, 1971: David Anthony, local booking agent guru, is contacted by the owners of a new club that is opening on the 494 strip in Bloomington, called Rodney’s and Mine. The club is looking to find a new band to open their club. David Anthony contacts Denny Johnson, who at the time, is working in a later version of Jokers Wild. Denny decides to contact Chuck Edwards, a former band mate from Bazooka, who in turn, contacts Jimmy Lawrence, a former member of Dave Brady and the Stars and Danny’s Reasons. Denny finds Steve Larson, who was currently playing with another band, and convinces him to join. Also playing with Denny in Jokers Wild was Robby Belleville, who also decides to join the new band.
The new band comes up with the name Carrion and the original lineup is: Jimmy Lawrence (percussion and lead vocals); Denny Johnson (bass guitar and vocals); Chuck Edwards (lead guitar and vocals); Steve Larson (keyboards and vocals); and Robby Belleville (drums). The band plays popular R and B/Funk dance music, featuring four-part vocal harmonies.
February 23, 1971: Carrion plays their first job at the St. Paul Hilton Ballroom, a high society/political fundraiser.
March 3, 1971: Carrion starts a six week engagement for the opening of Rodney’s and Mine in Bloomington.
April, 1971: After the engagement at Rodney’s and Mine, the band finds themselves without any local bookings. David Anthony attempts to line up jobs for the band that are out of town, however, once the out of town club owners see the band photo, they turn the band down, due to the racial composition of the group. Jimmy Lawrence leaves the band to join Rockie Robbins. Steve Larson leaves to join another band. Denny finds Rick Gilmore, a high school student, who plays keyboards/guitar and is a lead singer with another band. Denny is impressed with Rick and offers Rick a job on keyboards and vocals with Carrion.
April – Mid-July, 1971: The band plays out of town bars and clubs (in Minnesota and Wisconsin), with original members, Chuck, Denny and Robby, along with Rick.
Mid-July, 1971: Chuck Edwards decides to leave the band and return to teaching music. The members go their own ways and the band breaks up.
UPDATE:
A CD of Carrion playing live is made available. The recording was made May 22, 1971, at the Bank Saloon in Rochester. This is the final version of the band, with Chuck Edwards on guitar and lead vocals; Robby Belleville on drums and lead vocals; Denny Johnson on bass guitar and lead vocals; and Rick Gilmore on keyboards and lead vocals
Photos
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Bandtree
CARRION ___ BAND TREE
Carrion 1971
Jimmy Lawrence Dave Brady and The Stars
Lead Vocals Danny’s Reasons
1971 CARRION
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Chuck Edwards Danny’s Reasons
Lead Guitar / Vocals Bazooka
1971 CARRION
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Denny Johnson Jokers Wild
Bass Guitar / Vocals Flash Tuesday
1971 Mojo Buford Band
Lexy Johnson Band
Bazooka
CARRION
Bullet
Christopher
Cookiefoot
Denny Johnson Group
Winterwood
Gold Dust
Pecos
Sunrise
Grand Avenue
Crow featuring Dave Wagner
JT Silverstar
Jynx
The Bowery Boys
The Dick Tracy Band
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Robby Belleville Copperhead
Drums Bazooka
1971 CARRION
Bullet
Christopher
Cookiefoot
Breezin’
Take Four
You Got It
Tractor
Chiba
Steve Clifford Trio
CROW featuring Dave Wagner
JT Silverstar
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Steve Larson Danny’s Reasons
Keyboards / Vocals CARRION
1971
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Rick Gilmore FreeWater
Keyboards / Vocals CARRION
1971 Kiss of Rain
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Where are they now?
Carrion____ Where Are They Now ?
Carrion 1971
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Jimmy Lawrence Active in Music
Lead Vocals Unknown
Doing What ?…………………………………………………….. Living in Minnesota
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Chuck Edwards Active in Music
Lead Guitar / Vocals Yes
Doing What ?……………………………………………………. Playing in California
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Steve Larson Active in Music
Keyboards / Vocals Unknown
Doing What ?…………………………………………………….. Living in Minnesota
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Denny Johnson Active in Music
Bass Guitar / Vocals Yes
Doing What ?…………Studio Session Work – Re-Mastering and Band History
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Robby Belleville Active in Music
Drums No
Doing What ?……………………………………………………. Passed away in 1983
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Rick Gilmore Active in Musi
Keyboards / Vocals No
Doing What ?…………………………………………………… Passed away in 1993
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Interview
(interview here)