1970s and Beyond
By 1970, the original lineup of the band had changed somewhat; the LaFlammes had split up and Linda left the band, replaced by Fred Webb. The following album, Marrying Maiden, released in 1970, was their most successful in the charts, reaching number 28 in the U.S. (their only Top 40 placing) and number 45 in the U.K. In that year, the band also performed at the Holland Pop Festival at the Kralingse Bos in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music. Tom Fowler (later bassist for Frank Zappa) and Bill Gregory joined in March 1971, their very first performance being live on San Francisco's KSAN FM radio, with host Tom Donahue introducing them as the band's two new members.
In July 1971, the band was one of the last acts to appear at Fillmore West in San Francisco. Its performance of "White Bird" appeared as part of the musical documentary film Fillmore (1972).
The band continued to record Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime in 1971 and the live album Live At Carnegie Hall in 1972, touring until 1974 when it split up. In 1976, LaFlamme's solo version of "White Bird" finally cracked the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 89. Santos was killed in a car crash on December 14, 1989.
The band reunited occasionally for reunions and special concerts. The band's music continued under the name "David LaFlamme Band" as well as "It's a Beautiful Day" until Katz let his trademark of the name go un-renewed.
Since 2000, the band features founder David LaFlamme and original drummer Fuentes. Other band members are LaFlamme's current wife, Linda Baker LaFlamme (vocals), Toby Gray (basses and producer), Gary Thomas (keyboards and producer), Rob Espinosa (guitars) and Michael Prichard (percussion). They continue performing today, with LaFlamme contributing to Jefferson Starship's 2008 release, Jefferson's Tree of Liberty. This lineup is the longest continual group that has ever performed the band's material.
Read more about this topic: It's A Beautiful Day