Do You Believe in Rock and Roll

Gospel Rock legend Lester Chambers, who’s path crossed with several of the most influential artists of all time such as Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, was one of the defining voices and aesthetics of the 1960s. In the early 1950s, Lester and his brothers escaped their duties as sharecroppers in Lee County, Mississippi, for California, where they began performing together as a gospel group. Together with The Chambers Brothers, Lester pioneered a psychedelic, soulful, blues rock sound that still influences musicians nearly six decades later. Thus, I was excited to hear what he had to say on Do You Believe in Rock and Roll, a record released a little over a decade ago.

The record was produced by both Lester and producer Pride Hutchison (Steve Pryor, Dick Sims), and engineered by several familiar Explosive Records players, including Michael Dumas, at Horse Latitude Studios (Robbie Krieger), Dale Lawton (Chick Corea), and more. Together, they create a blues rock atmosphere that sounds timeless, even in 2020. In addition, Do You Believe in Rock and Roll was one the last albums recorded at the legendary Radio Recorders studio prior to its 2008 farewell; a studio featuring recordings from artists such as Elvis Presley, Jimi...  more