Gypsy

Gypsy is a US progressive rock group from Minneapolis, active from 1969 to 1978. The band begins as The Underbeats, active from 1962 to 1968, before taking the name Gypsy and developing a sound associated with classic rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock and the wider Minneapolis sound.

Origins and membership

The group forms in Minneapolis and its membership includes Tom Nystrom, Doni Larson, James Walsh, Enrico Rosenbaum, Jay Epstein, James C. Johnson, Randy Keeley, Bill Lordan and Willie Weeks. Enrico Rosenbaum is the main writer and composer of the band’s material and also plays guitar and sings.

Recording and live work

Gypsy is house band at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California for about eight months from September 1969 into 1970. Its early recordings are made at Devonshire Studios in North Hollywood, California, with production and arrangements by Rosenbaum. The band’s music also includes additional string arrangements by Jimmie Haskell and additional percussion by Preston Epps.

Releases and notable songs

The band releases five albums: Gypsy in 1970, In the Garden in 1971, Antithesis in 1972, Unlock the Gates in 1973, and 20 Years Ago Today in 1996. It is also known in 1970 for the US Billboard chart single “Gypsy Queen Part 1 and 2”. In the Garden features Willie Weeks on bass and Joe Lala, while Unlock the Gates includes the Chicago Horn Section.