Illinois Speed Press

1958-67

"Illinois Speed Press" was originally known as "The Rovin' Kind" and was formed in Chicago in 1965 and later relocated to California.

Norman Paul Cotton and Keith Anderson, schoolmates at Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois, were members of a band called "The Capitols" in 1958. They became The Mus-Twangs in 1961, primarily an instrumental group.
The band next became The Starfires, and Cotton also performed around 1963 as a member of the Carol Vega Trio. Around the same time, Kal David (b. David Raskin) fronted another band in Chicago, The Exceptions, who also included Peter Cetera (later of Chicago).
1965-1967 -The Gentrys - The Rovin' Kind
In early 1965, Cotton formed a new group, The Gentrys, with bassist Frank Bartell and drummer Fred Page (b. Frederick Pappalardo). They were soon joined by Kal David and keyboard player Mike Anthony, and later that year they changed their name to "The Rovin' Kind".

They released their first single, "Everybody", on the Contrapoint label, and recorded several further singles for the Roulette and Dunwich labels. In 1966 they won a regional "battle of the bands" contest and, as a prize, appeared on American Bandstand. In 1967, Bartell left and was replaced by Keith Anderson.

1968 - Illinois Speed Press

James Guercio discovered the Rovin' Kind at the Chicago Whiskey-A-Go-Go, where they were the house band. He offered them management and production and brought them back to Los Angeles where they were signed to CBS/Columbia Records under their new name, Illinois Speed Press. The change happened in February 1968. They opened for other major recording acts such as Led Zepplin, Chicago & Steppenwolf.
Initial members of ISP were the same as the Rovin’ Kind. Keith Anderson was replaced prior to the recording of the first ISP album mainly at Guerico’s urging.
With its twin guitar sound, the band played a mixture of rock and roll, soul and country music.[1] In 1968 they performed regularly at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, and at the first Newport Pop Festival, held in Costa Mesa, California, also recording their first single, "Right On Time". Anderson was then fired, and replaced by Rob Lewine before the band recorded their first album, The Illinois Speed Press, which was produced by Guercio and released in early 1969.

Columbia simultaneously released albums by Chicago Transit Authority, The Flock, and Aorta, and marketed them together as part of a so-called "Chicago Sound". All four debut albums entered the Billboard Top 200 album chart, The Illinois Speed Press reaching #144.

Before the album's release, Guercio fired Page, Anthony, and later Lewine; Page died shortly afterwards. They were replaced for performances by Jimmy Rogers (bass) and Rick Allen (drums), but the band recorded their second album, Duet, essentially as a duo of Cotton and David, supported by studio musicians including Joe Osborne (bass), Hal Blaine (drums) and Michael Lloyd (keyboards). The album was released in spring 1970, but shortly afterwards Kal David left to form The Fabulous Rhinestones with bassist Harvey Brooks. Cotton was then approached by Richie Furay to join Poco as a replacement for Jim Messina, which he did a few months later.
In 2009, Cotton and David reunited for some performances as Illinois Speed Press.

The musical style and dual lead guitar format of Illinois Speed Press have been credited as inspiring Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington to form Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band's two original albums, together with bonus tracks, were reissued on CD in 2003.

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Illinois Speed Press Links
Find out more about "Illinois Speed Press" here.
Musical Archive-Paul Cotton ♪♫ Wikipedia/Illinois Speed Press ♪♫
The Review Revue/Illinois Speed Press ♪♫
PhotoFlashbacks.com/Illinois Speed Press ♪♫ Skynfan's Guide to Rock n Roll/Illinois Speed Press
♪♫ Vinyl History/Illinois Speed Press - Duets ♪♫

Illinois Speed Press Discography
Studio albums
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Released 1969
Illinois Speed Press -1969

Illinois Speed Press

Released 1970
Duet 1970

Duet

>>Find original Blue Cheer LP vinyl records Here<<

Live albums
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No known live album by Illinois Speed Press exists, if you search you may find a live compilation album that includes ISP

Compilation albums
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There are many various artist compilation albums that may include songs by "ISP" . Shown below is one from our personal collection.

Released 1970
Underground -1970