The Youngbloods’ Jesse Colin Young – who was a founding member of the rock band, known for songs like Get Together – has died, aged 83, at his home in the US, it’s been announced
Jesse Colin Young died over the weekend, aged 83, it’s been announced. The singer-songwriter is remembered for his decades-long career in the music industry, which included him fronting the Youngbloods for several years.
It’s been reported that Jesse – whose real name was Perry Miller -died at his home in the US on Sunday. He’s survived by his wife Connie Darden-Young and his four children. The news has prompted tributes to the musician, who enjoyed a solo career as well as having been in the rock band.
His death has been announced in a statement. As reported by the Sun, his PR team said in it: “It is with deep sadness that we announce music legend Jesse Colin Young, who left a unique mark on the intersecting worlds of folk, blues, jazz, country, and rock & roll, died in his home in Aiken, South Carolina yesterday afternoon.”
Jesse was a founding member of the Youngbloods, who formed in 1965. He was in the band, which rose to fame over the rest of the 1960s, alongside the likes of the late Jerry Corbitt, Lowell Levinger and Joe Bauer.
The Youngbloods released several albums together before disbanding in the early 1970s, including their self-titled debut in 1967 and its follow-up Earth Music later that same year. Whilst their singles included a cover of Chet Powers’ Get Together and Darkness, Darkness.
It’s been announced that Jesse Colin Young, known for being a member of the Youngbloods, has died ( Image: WireImage)
After the Youngbloods parted ways in 1972, Jesse returned to having a career in the music industry as a solo artist. He had already released two albums before forming the band, including his debut, The Soul of a City Boy, in 1964.
His third album, Together – which was his first since the Youngbloods disbanded – was released in 1972. He continued to release music in the decades since then, including having released the album Swept Away in 1994.
It’s been reported that Jesse took a break from performing after being diagnosed with Lyme’s disease back in 2012. He however later returned to the stage and had continued to work on music in more recent years, including the vocalist having shared the album Highway Troubadour in 2020.
Jesse had previously reunited with his bandmates from the Youngbloods, with group having briefly reformed for a tour in 1984 alongside some new members. The band however disbanded once again the following year.
Fans have paid tribute to Jesse on social media in recent days. One person wrote on X: “Godspeed and farewell, Jesse Colin Young.” Someone else simply wrote in a post following the news of his death: “RIP Jesse Colin Young.”
Another said: “Rest in Power Jesse Colin Young. His soft tenor voice sold the song Get Together as the anthem for peace in the 1960’s.” Someone responded: “Such a beautiful song. RIP Jesse” Another said: “Gorgeous song…gorgeous voice.”
