Souther–Hillman–Furay Band


The Souther Hillman Furay Band was a country rock supergroup led by singer-songwriters Richie Furay, Chris Hillman, and J. D. Souther. The band recorded two albums during the 1970s before breaking up due to disagreements between the members.

History

The band was formed in 1973 at the suggestion of David Geffen, then head of Asylum Records. Hillman brought three other former members of Manassas to the group: keyboardist/flutist Paul Harris and percussionist Joe Lala, both of whom had also worked with Barnstorm; and pedal steel guitarist Al Perkins, who had also played with the Flying Burrito Brothers. The septet was rounded out by Jim Gordon, a noted session drummer and former member of Derek and the Dominos and Traffic.
The band had a substantial hit in 1974 with its self-titled first album, which was certified gold, and the single "Fallin' in Love". However, during the recording of that album, and influenced by Perkins, Furay converted to evangelical Christianity. Tensions among the members increased, and Gordon, who may have been experiencing the onset of schizophrenia, left the band and was replaced by Ron Grinel. In the midst of this chaos, SHF's 1975 album Trouble in Paradise was not critically or commercially well received. Soon after, the group disbanded and its namesake members continued on their solo careers.

Discography