Jesse Colin Young, renowned for his influential role in the 1960s counterculture with the Youngbloods and a vibrant solo career, passed away at age 83.
Variety reported that Jesse Colin Young, a seminal artist in the 1960s music scene, has died in his South Carolina home.
Born as the voice of the Youngbloods, Young's journey into music fame began with the band's foundation. The group is best remembered for their hit "Get Together," a song that became a peace anthem amid the tumultuous 1960s after its release on their debut album and a subsequent reissue, which pushed it to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Youngbloods experienced considerable success between 1967 and 1972, releasing a total of five albums before they disbanded. Their music, blending folk, rock, and jazz influences, captured the spirit of an era and continues to resonate with listeners today.
Following the disbandment of the Youngbloods, Young didn't pause in his musical pursuits, embarking on a solo career that saw the release of several albums throughout the decades. His solo debut, "Song for Juli," became the most popular, marking a new chapter in his musical journey.
Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Young signed with major record labels like Warner Bros. Records and Elektra, later moving to various independent labels where he continued to innovate and inspire with his sound.
In addition to his recording success, Young contributed significantly as a songwriter, penning tracks like "Darkness Darkness," "Sugar Babe," and "Quicksand" which added to his creative legacy.
Despite his success, Young faced personal challenges, including a decades-long battle with chronic Lyme disease, which he was first diagnosed with in 2009 after likely suffering from it undetected for nearly 20 years.
In 1995, his life took another dramatic turn when his house in Marin County was destroyed by fire, leading him to relocate first to Hawaii and then to South Carolina, where he continued his artistic endeavors.
Young's music career included touring stints, such as opening for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on their reunion tour in 1974. He remained an active performer up until October 2023, making his last public appearance at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on October 18, 2023.
Although he initially quit touring in 2010 due to burnout, he experienced an uplifting moment in 2016 that reignited his passion. Young attended his son’s recital, felt deeply moved by the youthful energy and talent on display, and decided to return to the stage and recording studio.
Reflecting on his renewed passion for music, Young explained, "These young people he had assembled in a band just blew me away with their energy and their talent. In a moment, I went from feeling done with music to thinking, ‘Wow, I want to play music with young people like this.'"
In 2021, he released Highway Troubadour, revisiting earlier songs and proving his timeless appeal and continued relevance in the music world. He emphasized that the enduring power of Get Together never waned, and his desire to engage with the newer generation of musicians rekindled his creativity.
Jesse Colin Young's impact on music and culture extends beyond his involvement with the Youngbloods or his role as a solo artist. His work reflected and influenced a pivotal time in American history, marked by a deep longing for peace and understanding, encapsulated in the lyrics of "Get Together."
His wife and manager, Connie Young, recalls that Jesse Colin Young’s passing deeply affects his family, generations of fans, and fellow musicians, who admire and draw inspiration from his heartfelt contributions to music and culture.
In his own words about his iconic song, Young said, "I went down the second flight of stairs and there was Buzzy Linhart and he was singing ‘Get Together,’ and just like in those movies about the Bible, the heavens opened and my life changed." This moment captures the transformative power of music that Jesse Colin Young embodied throughout his illustrious career.
