History of Jesse Colin Young in Timeline
Jesse Colin Young, born Perry Miller, is an American singer-songwriter best known as the lead singer of the 1960s group The Youngbloods. After the band's split in 1972, he launched a solo career, releasing multiple albums on Warner Bros. Records, including popular titles like 'Song for Juli' and 'Songbird'. He continued his musical journey with Elektra and Cypress Records in the 1980s and later established his own label, Ridgetop Music, in 1993. Following a relocation to Hawaii after the Mount Vision Fire, Young periodically released music. Diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, he initially retired but returned to performing in 2016 with his son, releasing the album 'Dreamers' in 2019.
November 22, 1941: Perry Miller Born
On November 22, 1941, Perry Miller, later known as Jesse Colin Young, was born. He would become a singer and songwriter and a founding member of the band The Youngbloods.
1959: Scholarship to Phillips Academy
In 1959, Jesse Colin Young, then known as Perry Miller, won a scholarship to attend Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.
1961: Transferred to New York University
In 1961, Jesse Colin Young transferred to New York University, balancing his studies with performances in Greenwich Village.
1964: Debut Album Release
In 1964, Jesse Colin Young's debut album, "The Soul of a City Boy", was released.
1965: Release of "Young Blood"
In 1965, Jesse Colin Young released his second album, "Young Blood", produced by Bobby Scott.
1966: Birth of daughter Juli
In 1966, Jesse Colin Young's daughter Juli was born with his first wife, Suzi Young.
1966: Release of "Grizzly Bear"
In 1966, the Youngbloods, with Jesse Colin Young, released their debut single "Grizzly Bear" after signing with RCA Records.
1967: Moved to Marin County
In 1967, Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods moved to Marin County, California.
1967: Release of "The Youngbloods" Album and "Get Together"
In 1967, The Youngbloods released their debut album "The Youngbloods", which included the song "Get Together".
1969: "Get Together" Becomes International Hit
In 1969, "Get Together" became an international hit for the Youngbloods after being used in a public service commercial.
1969: Corbitt Leaves The Youngbloods
In 1969, during the production of the album Elephant Mountain, Jerry Corbitt left The Youngbloods, leading Jesse Colin Young to become the group's main songwriter.
1970: Building a Recording Studio
In 1970, Jesse Colin Young built a recording studio next to his home in Inverness, California.
1970: "Sunlight" covered by Three Dog Night
In 1970, Three Dog Night covered Jesse Colin Young's song "Sunlight" on their album "Naturally".
1971: Built House in Inverness
In 1971, Jesse Colin Young built a house on a ridgetop in Inverness, California.
November 1972: Young Disbands The Youngbloods
In November 1972, Jesse Colin Young disbanded The Youngbloods after their final album, High on a Ridge Top.
1972: Built Recording Studio
In 1972, Jesse Colin Young built a recording studio at his Inverness property.
1972: Youngbloods Dissolution
In 1972, The Youngbloods disbanded, marking a turning point in Jesse Colin Young's career as he transitioned to a solo artist.
1973: Release of Song for Juli
In 1973, Jesse Colin Young released Song for Juli, which included “Morning Sun" written after the birth of his son Cheyenne.
1973: "Song for Juli" Release
In 1973, Jesse Colin Young's fourth solo album, "Song for Juli", was released and became a sleeper hit.
1974: Release of "Light Shine"
In 1974, Jesse Colin Young released the album "Light Shine" and toured as an opening act for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
1974: Touring with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
In 1974, Jesse Colin Young toured his fifth album, Light Shine, as an opening act for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
1975: Release of "Songbird"
In 1975, Jesse Colin Young released "Songbird", which became his highest-charting album.
1975: "Songbird" Album Release
In 1975, Jesse Colin Young released his album "Songbird", which became his highest-charting album, reaching number 26 in the US and number 20 in Canada.
1976: Release of "On the Road"
In 1976, Jesse Colin Young released the live album "On the Road", continuing his successful solo career.
1976: "On the Road" Album Release
In 1976, Jesse Colin Young released the live album "On the Road", which charted on the Billboard top 200 albums chart.
1977: "Love on the Wing" Album Release
In 1977, Jesse Colin Young released "Love on the Wing", which charted on the Billboard top 200 albums chart.
1978: Switched Labels to Elektra Records
In 1978, Jesse Colin Young switched labels to Elektra Records and released "American Dreams".
1979: Performed at No Nukes Protest Concerts
In 1979, Jesse Colin Young performed as a part of the No Nukes protest concerts organized by Musicians United for Safe Energy.
1982: Release of "The Perfect Stranger"
In 1982, Jesse Colin Young released "The Perfect Stranger" on Elektra Records, which did not achieve as much commercial success as his previous albums.
1987: Release of "The Highway Is for Heroes"
In 1987, Jesse Colin Young released "The Highway Is for Heroes" on Cypress Records, which did not meet with the same commercial success as his earlier works.
1993: Founded Ridgetop Music
In 1993, Jesse Colin Young and his wife Connie founded Ridgetop Music to re-release his 1970s catalog and release new music.
1994: Birth of Jazzie Young
In 1994, Jazzie Young, daughter of Jesse Colin Young and Connie Darden, was born.
1994: Release of "Swept Away"
In 1994, Jesse Colin Young released the album "Swept Away" on his label, Ridgetop Music.
October 1995: House Destroyed in Mount Vision Fire
In October 1995, Jesse Colin Young's house in Inverness was destroyed in the Mount Vision fire, leading to the family's relocation to Hawaii.
1995: Recording Studio Untouched by Fire
In 1995, The recording studio at Jesse Colin Young's Inverness property was untouched by the forest fire.
2001: Release of 'Walk the Talk'
In 2001, Jesse Colin Young independently released the album 'Walk the Talk', collaborating with his son Cheyenne Young, godson Ethan Turner, and former Youngbloods member Lowell "Banana" Levinger.
2002: Release of 'Songs for Christmas' and Robert Plant Cover
In 2002, Jesse Colin Young released 'Songs for Christmas' as part of a CD re-release project, and Robert Plant covered his song "Darkness, Darkness".
2002: "Darkness, Darkness" covered by Robert Plant
In 2002, Robert Plant covered Jesse Colin Young's song “Darkness, Darkness”, which received a Grammy nomination.
2004: Release of 'Living in Paradise'
In 2004, Jesse Colin Young released the Hawaii-influenced album 'Living in Paradise' with Artemis Records.
2006: Moved to Aiken, South Carolina
In 2006, Jesse Colin Young and his family moved to Aiken, South Carolina, the hometown of his second wife, Connie Darden-Young.
2012: Diagnosis and Retirement
In 2012, Jesse Colin Young quit performing music due to being diagnosed with "chronic Lyme disease".
2012: Diagnosis of Lyme Disease and Retirement
In 2012, Jesse Colin Young received a diagnosis of "chronic Lyme disease" and decided to retire from music.
2016: Return to Performing
In 2016, Jesse Colin Young returned to performing music, inspired by his son Tristan and his classmates.
2016: Tristan Graduates from Berklee
In 2016, Jesse Colin Young's son, Tristan, graduated from the Berklee College of Music.
2017: Jazzie Young Releases Music
In 2017, Jazzie Young, Jesse Colin Young's daughter, began releasing music independently.
February 2019: Release of "Dreamers"
In February 2019, Jesse Colin Young released his new solo record, "Dreamers," with a band of his son's classmates.
2019: Release of 'Dreamers'
In 2019, Jesse Colin Young released a new album, 'Dreamers,' marking a significant milestone in his later career.
2019: Tristan Co-Produces 'Dreamers'
In 2019, Tristan Young co-produced his father Jesse Colin Young's album 'Dreamers'.
2023: Last Live Performance
Jesse Colin Young continued to perform live as late as 2023, marking a long career in music.
March 16, 2025: Jesse Colin Young Dies
Jesse Colin Young, born Perry Miller, died on March 16, 2025. He was an American singer and songwriter, known for being the lead singer of the Youngbloods.
