Perry Miller, known as Jesse Colin Young, was a founding member and lead singer of the band The Youngbloods. After the band’s breakup, Young embarked on a successful solo career, leaving a mark across folk, blues, jazz, country, and rock and roll. A celebrated songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, producer, label owner, podcast host, and social/environmental activist, Young has cemented his legacy as an influential figure in American music. Discover more about his life and career on queens-trend.
Childhood and Education
Born on November 22, 1941, in Queens, Young grew up in a musically inclined family, with a violinist and singer mother and a father who, while an accountant, had a deep love for classical music. This environment fostered Young’s talents as a multi-instrumentalist, skilled in both piano and guitar.
In 1959, Young received a scholarship to attend Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, where he studied classical guitar. His passion for music overshadowed his other studies, leading him to dedicate all his time to guitar and singing. Eventually, he was expelled for not keeping up with his schoolwork. He later enrolled at Ohio State University, but his time there was short-lived. After one semester, he returned to his family’s home in Pennsylvania before transferring to New York University in 1961.
Young balanced his studies with performances until he ultimately decided to pursue music full-time. He adopted the stage name Jesse Colin Young, drawing from the names of outlaws Jesse James, Cole Younger, and engineer Colin Chapman.
Frontman of The Youngbloods
In 1965, after releasing a few solo albums, Young co-founded The Youngbloods, one of the most acclaimed East Coast bands of the 1960s. For many listeners, the group is best known for Get Together, an international hit that calls for peace and unity. Originally, the song had only moderate success, reaching 62 on the Billboard charts, but gained popularity when it was used in a public service announcement. It became an anthem of the hippie movement and remains the group’s most iconic song.
The band, named after Young’s second album, crafted a sound rich in harmony, blending blues, country, and folk-rock. In 1969, The Youngbloods relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Young became the group’s primary songwriter, creating national hits like Darkness Darkness and Sunlight. Darkness Darkness delves into themes of death and depression, touching on the Vietnam War.
Going Solo
Over the following decades, Young expanded his audience and artistic reach, releasing a series of solo albums celebrated for their socially conscious lyrics, skilled guitar work, and emotive vocals.
After signing with Warner Bros., Young collaborated with his wife, songwriter and singer Suzi Young. Albums like On the Road (1976) and Love on the Wing (1977) showcased his evolving interest in jazz, country, and soft rock, with themes reflecting his concerns about the environment, social issues, and family life. His fourth solo album, Song for Juli, was dedicated to his daughter.
Young’s music features acoustic resonance, electric strikes, jazz undertones, and folk melodies. Using his art as a vehicle for positive change, he infused his songs with timely social commentary.
In 1993, Jesse and his second wife, Connie, founded the independent label Ridgetop Music in the Bay Area, providing a creative outlet for experimental projects like Makin’ it Real and Swept Away. The couple also began re-releasing Young’s earlier solo albums.
In October 1995, a wildfire destroyed their home, prompting the family to relocate to Hawaii, where they started a coffee farm. While physically unharmed, they were emotionally devastated, though they managed to save Young’s record collection and studio equipment.
Undeterred, Young continued touring and releasing albums, including Walk the Talk (2003). The family returned to the mainland in 2006, and in 2012, Young was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which kept him off the road for four years. During this time, he launched a YouTube series, Couch Series with Labrador, focusing on his recovery. After regaining his health, he resumed performing, dedicating his first show to veterans.
Young’s 2019 album Dreamers addresses contemporary issues like immigration and the #MeToo movement. He also started a podcast series, Tripping on My Roots, featuring interviews, stories, and greetings from fellow musicians. Inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, Young began One Song at a Time, a video series where he performed songs from different periods of his career, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. Young’s unique ability to convey profound emotion through music has solidified his reputation as a truly exceptional artist.
9 Interesting Facts
- Jesse Colin Young is known for his distinctive tenor voice, seamlessly blending folk, rock, and blues. His voice is integral to his musical identity.
- Throughout his career, he has released over 20 albums, showcasing his talent and versatility. From early solo works to collaborations with The Youngbloods, his discography highlights his artistry.
- Young is an environmental activist who uses his platform to raise awareness about climate change and promote sustainable living.
- His song Darkness, Darkness has been covered by prominent artists such as Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, and Mott the Hoople, cementing its status as a timeless classic.
- Over the years, Young has shared the stage with renowned musicians, including Jerry Garcia, B.B. King, and Bonnie Raitt.
- His music embodies the spirit of the 1960s counterculture movement, with lyrics that address the social and political issues of that era, making his work both a time capsule and timeless.
- Young has performed at iconic music festivals like Woodstock, Newport Folk Festival, and Monterey Pop Festival, garnering a worldwide fan base through his memorable performances.
- His music has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, capturing the attention of directors and producers seeking to add depth to key scenes.
- Young is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As a member of The Youngbloods, he was inducted for the band’s significant contribution to the music industry.
