Peter Lewis, a co-founding member of the San Francisco psychedelic Americana band Moby Grape, celebrated his 80th birthday on July 15. Lewis was one of the group’s three guitarists, while all five founding members shared lead vocal duties.
Moby Grape came together in 1966. After Skip Spence, the Jefferson Airplane’s original drummer, was kicked out of that group, he was encouraged to form a similar band by ex-Airplane manager Matthew Katz. Spence, who switched to guitar, was joined by Lewis, guitarist Jerry Miller, bassist Bob Mosley, and drummer Don Stevenson.
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[RELATED: Jerry Miller, Co-Founding Guitarist of Moby Grape, Dies at 81]
Lewis, who’s the son of actress Loretta Young, previously had played in the Los Angeles-based surf-rock band The Cornells.
Moby Grape received much critical acclaim for its self-titled 1967 debut album, which showcased an eclectic mix of rock, blues, country, folk, and psychedelia. The band also was noted for its multiple-vocal and triple-guitar interplay.
The Moby Grape album peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200, although the group’s songs enjoyed little chart success. That being said, Lewis contributed several noteworthy tunes to the band’s early albums.
Moby Grape’s heyday was short-lived, as the band began to fray due to Spence’s serious drug and mental-health issues. In June 1968, Spence was admitted to Bellevue Hospital in New York City; he was diagnosed with schizophrenia during a six-month stay at the facility. Mosley also struggled with mental illness.
Moby Grape broke up in 1969, but re-formed multiple times over the years with various lineups. Lewis is the only member of the group to take part in all of the reunions. He and Mosley are part of the band’s current lineup.
In honor of Lewis’ milestone birthday, here are four outstanding songs he wrote and recorded with Moby Grape:
“Fall on You” (1967)
“Fall on You” is a driving rock track featured on Moby Grape’s self-titled debut. The song also appeared as the B-side of the group’s first single, “Changes.”
The tune featured fuzz guitar reminiscent of the Jefferson Airplane, while also incorporating some country influences.
“Sitting by My Window” (1967)
“Sitting by My Window” is a moody, atmospheric song that many consider one of the standout tracks of the Moby Grape album. The tune is highlighted by Lewis’ crooning vocals and finger-picked guitar.
The song features introspective, melancholy lyrics about a romantic breakup, and a melodic psychedelic feel.
“Sitting by My Window” was the second single released from Moby Grape, although it failed to chart.
“He” (1968)
“He” appeared on Moby Grape’s second album, Wow/Grape Jam, which was released in 1968. The song features enigmatic lyrics apparently about a young man who’s struggling to make sense of the world.
The tune is augmented by a baroque orchestral arrangement. It features intertwining vocal parts by various Moby Grape members.
Wow/Grape Jam was Moby Grape’s highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 20.
“If You Can’t Learn from My Mistakes” (1969)
“If You Can’t Learn from My Mistakes” is a song from Moby Grape’s third studio album, Moby Grape ’69. It featured a melodic country-rock sound similar to that of Buffalo Springfield and some of Michael Nesmith’s Monkees songs.
Lewis delivers strong lead vocals on the track. The tune is sung from the perspective of a man frustrated about a breakup for which he feels both he and his ex are both partly to blame.
The tune was the lead single from Moby Grape ’69, the band’s first album after the departure of Spence.
(Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)