A contemporary vehicle for country-rock pioneer Chris
Hillman (ex-Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers), the Desert Rose Band
formed in 1985 with primary songwriter Hillman on lead vocals, guitar,
and mandolin. Other members, culled mainly from southern California
session players, included banjoist/guitarist Herb Pedersen, guitarist
John Jorgenson, steel guitarist Jay Dee Maness, bassist Bill Bryson, and
drummer Steve Duncan. Their first single was a 1986 cover of Johnnie
& Jack's "Ashes of Love," which climbed into the country Top 30.
Their self-titled debut album followed in 1987 and spawned a number one
hit in "He's Back and I'm Blue," plus two more Top Tens in "Love
Reunited" and "One Step Forward." 1988's Running produced the number one
smash "I Still Believe in You," the number two "Summer Wind," and the
number three "She Don't Love Nobody." 1990's Pages of Life brought their
final Top Ten hits in "Story of Love" and "Start All Over Again." Major
personnel turnover followed; Maness was replaced by steel guitarist Tom
Brumley, Jorgenson by guitarist Jeff Ross, and Duncan by drummer Tim
Grogan. This lineup recorded three albums — 1991's True Love and two in
1993, Traditional and Life Goes On — but failed to duplicate the success
of the band's first incarnation. After the Desert Rose Band broke up,
Hillman and Herb Pedersen continued to work together on a sporadic
basis.
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