The Road was a rock band that was formed in 1967. They had a hit in Greece with a cover of the Zombies song "She's Not There". They released further singles on the Kama Sutra label. They broke up in the 1970s.
History The group origins can be traced to Buffalo, New York, where they started out in 1967 as The Mellow Brick Road. The original line-up was vocalists Phil and Jerry Hudson, bassist Joe Hesse, keyboardist Jim Hesse, guitarist Ralph Parker, and drummer Nick DiStefano.WNY Hitman - The RoadThe Sun, January 15, 1969 - Page 9 They released a single on the United Artists label, "Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket".Billboard, October 5, 1968 - Page 34 programming aids, * Continued from page 30
The group had a hit with She's Not There", which was released on Kama Sutra. By that time the group had become The Road. It sold in excess of 200,000 copies and registered at #88 in Cashbox,Buffalo Music Hall of Fame - The RoadCash box pop singles charts, 1950-1993, Pat Downey, George Albert, Frank W. Hoffmann - Page 289 #79 in Canada, and managed to reach the charts in Greece.Buffalo Music Hall of Fame - The Road
Their album simply titled Road was released about a week before Christmas 1969. The 12 track album included "She's Not There", "A Taste of Honey", "Dance to the Music", "Never Gonna Give You Up", "Rock & Roll Woman", and "Mr. Soul", their latest single. By mid-February 1970, it had sold well in excess of 25,000 copies.
As of February 1970, the group was managed by Fred Saia. The line-up at the time consisted of band leader Jerry Hudson, Ralph Parker, Nick DiStefano, Joe Hesse, Phil Hudson, Jim Hesse and Larry Rizzuto, who had recently joined the band.Discogs - The Road – The RoadRecord World, February 14, 1970 - Page 36 The Road to Success
In 1971, their double album Cognition was released on Kama Sutra KSBS 2032. The reviewer noted the Scientology content with the music.Billboard, July 10, 1971 - Page 28 SPECIAL MERIT PICKS, POP A good deal of the material was composed by the band members.AllMusic - Road, Cognition, Track Listing
They broke up in 1972,Buffalo Music Hall of Fame - The Road though the band re-grouped in 1974; sporadically, through the end of 1982, with varying musicians. They reunited once again in July 1989 for some local appearances with Three Dog Night.
Jerry Hudson, the lead singer recorded a solo single "Gillian Frank" bw "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better", and it was released on the Bandstand Records label in 1972, also the Big Tree label in early 1973.Top Shelf Oldies - The Road by Gary E. Myers, Discography45Cat - Jerry Hudson - Discography, USAWNY.FM - 45 Friday: JERRY HUDSON – Gillian Frank Billboard reported in its February 10, 1973 issue that the single was bubbling under the Hot 100 at #117,Billboard, February 10, 1973 - Page 64 Bubbling Under The Hot 100 and stayed there for another week.Billboard, February 17, 1973 - Page 59 Bubbling Under The Hot 100
Jerry Hudson (born Gerald K. Hudson Jr. on December 4, 1948 in Buffalo) died on November 4, 2019, at age 70. He had been hospitalized following a stroke.
Releases + Mellow Brick Road singles Title Label, cat Year Notes "Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket" / "Other Side Of This Life" United Artists UA 50333 1968 45Cat - Mellow Brick Rode - Discography, USA
+ The Road singles Title Label, cat Year Notes "She's Not There" / "A Bummer" Kama Sutra KA 256 1968 "The Grass Looks Greener On The Other Side" / "In Love" Kama Sutra KA-266 1969 "Mr Soul" / "The Grass Looks Greener On The Other Side" Kama Sutra KA 504 1970 "If I Ever Needed A Woman" / "Alone" Kama Sutra KA 531 1971 "Night In The City" / "Feelin' The Sunshine" Goodtime GT 4504 1974 "She's Not There" / "A Bummer" Radio Active Gold RD 67 45Cat - The Road - Discography, USA "Hard To Tell You Goodbye" / "Rosalie" Road MC 5552 Discogs - The Road Discography, Singles & EPs "Music Man" / "You Give It All" Road MC 5610 1977 Top Shelf Oldies - The Road by Gary E. Myers, Discography
+ Albums Title Label, cat Year Peak positions Notes US 200 The Road Kama Sutra KLPS 8075 1969 — Debut album The Road Kama Sutra KSBS 2012 1970 199 Reissue of KLPS 8075Goldmine Record Album Price Guide, By Dave Thompson - Page 496 ROAD, THE Cognition Kama Sutra KSBS 2032 1971 — 2 LPBillboard, July 17, 1971 - Page 47 New LP/Tape Releases
References
External links Top Shelf Oldies: The Road by Gary E. Myers Joe Hesse Music: The Road WNYFM 45 Friday: THE ROAD – She’s Not There The Road / The Mellow Brick Road