This late-'60s Denver group is most notable as the starting point for guitarist
Tommy Bolin, who was still in his teens when they recorded their first album in 1969. A rather routine slab of bluesy, heavy rock, it made the Top 50. Aside from
Bolin's extended hard rock riffing, it prominently featured the lead vocals of
Candy Givens, who affected a blues-wailing pose along the lines of
Janis Joplin. But she didn't have the full throat or guts to back it up, ending up closer to also-ran female psychedelic singers like
Lydia Pense (of
Cold Blood).
Zephyr recorded one more album before
Bolin left for stints with
James Gang,
Deep Purple, and a solo career; the group carried on throughout the 1970s.
–
Richie Unterberger, Rovi