The Loading Zone

Cosmic R&B combo the Loading Zone was formed in Oakland, CA, in 1967 by singer/keyboardist Paul Fauerso following the dissolution of his jazz unit, the Tom Paul Trio. After recruiting guitarists Pete Shapiro and Steve Dowler -- both late of the Berkeley psych-rock band <a href="spotify:artist:6eCH4aJpareoxz3EjKqHjK">the Marbles</a> -- Fauerso enlisted bassist Bob Kridle and drummer George Newcom to round out the Loading Zone's original lineup; though rooted in R&B, the group also detoured into psychedelia, jazz, and electric blues, fittingly enough opening for both <a href="spotify:artist:74oJ4qxwOZvX6oSsu1DGnw">Cream</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4J69yWrKwWJgjv3DKTZcGo">Big Brother & the Holding Company</a> at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore. In 1968 Fauerso placed an ad in the San Francisco Chronicle seeking a new lead vocalist, with <a href="spotify:artist:0RrXCO1le5tywmQnBS8V0l">Linda Tillery</a> joining the Loading Zone prior to the band's signing with RCA; their eponymous debut LP failed to capture the excitement of their live sets, however, and was savaged by critics for its excessive production and ham-fisted Motown covers. The Loading Zone then split, although in 1970 Fauerso and <a href="spotify:artist:0RrXCO1le5tywmQnBS8V0l">Tillery</a> re-formed the group with guitarist Steve Busfield, bassist Mike Eggleston, and drummer <a href="spotify:artist:0WgvhPewM8PlLTuHW1n66G">George Marsh</a>, recording One for All for the Umbrella label. Fauerso and <a href="spotify:artist:0RrXCO1le5tywmQnBS8V0l">Tillery</a> disbanded the unit once and for all in 1971; the former later produced <a href="spotify:artist:3oDbviiivRWhXwIE8hxkVV">the Beach Boys</a>' First Love LP and created a handful of new age records, while the latter resurfaced with the jazz fusion group Cesar 830 and later pursued a solo career. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi