It's a Beautiful Day

It's a Beautiful Day

It's a Beautiful Day is a San Francisco group formed in 1967 and led by violinist and vocalist David LaFlamme. The original line-up includes LaFlamme, his wife Linda LaFlamme on keyboards, Pattie Santos on vocals, Hal Wagenet on guitar, Mitchell Holman on bass and Val Fuentes on drums. The band grows out of the late-1960s San Francisco psychedelic scene and is often described as part of its second wave.

Early years and debut album

The group’s self-titled debut album appears in 1969. It includes “White Bird”, which becomes a hit, along with “Hot Summer Day” and “Time Is”. LaFlamme’s violin playing and vocals, together with Santos’s singing, help the band build a strong following in the Bay Area.

Line-up changes and later records

By 1970 the line-up changes after David and Linda LaFlamme split up. David remains with the band, Linda leaves, and Fred Webb replaces her. The next album, Marrying Maiden, appears in 1970 and charts. The band continues with Choice Quality Stuff in 1971 and the live album Live at Carnegie Hall in 1972, and it keeps touring and recording until it dissolves in 1974.

Related songs and later activity

The song “Bombay Calling” later inspires Jon Lord of Deep Purple to write “Child in Time”. The band also records a version of Deep Purple’s “Wring That Neck”. It reunites in 1997, with David LaFlamme and original drummer Val Fuentes still part of the line-up.

Members

Other members associated with the group include Bud Cockrell, Gregory Bloch and Tom Fowler.