Judee Sill
b. c.1949, Los Angeles, USA, d. 1974. This Los Angeles-based artist first attracted attention for her work with the city's folk-rock fraternity. An early composition, Dead Time Bummer Blues, was recorded by the Leaves, whose bassist, Jim Pons, later joined the Turtles. He introduced Sill to Blimp, the group's publishing company, the fruit of which was Lady O, their finest late-period performance. The song also appeared on JUDEE SILL, the artist's poignant debut, which was largely produced by Pons in partnership with another ex-Leave, John Beck. Graham Nash supervised the sole exception, Jesus Was A Crossmaker, which drew considerable comment over its lyrical content and was one of the songs Sill featured on a rare UK television appearance. HEART FOOD continued this uncompromising individual's quest for excellence and deftly balanced upbeat, country-tinged compositions with dramatic emotional ballads. A gift for melody suggested a long, successful career, but Judee Sill subsequently abandoned full-time music and died in mysterious circumstances in 1974.