Chet Powers | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Chester William Powers, Jr. |
Also known as | Dino Valenti, Dino Valente, Jesse Orris Farrow, Jesse Oris Farrow |
Born |
Danbury, Connecticut, United States |
October 7, 1937
Died | November 16, 1994 Santa Rosa, California, United States |
(aged 57)
Genres | Folk, rock, blues, psychedelic rock, acid rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Instruments |
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Years active | Late 1950s–1994 |
Labels | Epic, Capitol |
Associated acts | Quicksilver Messenger Service |
Chester William "Chet" Powers, Jr. (October 7, 1937 – November 16, 1994) was an American singer-songwriter, and the lead singer of the rock group Quicksilver Messenger Service. He was also known by the stage name Dino Valenti (alternatively rendered as Dino Valente) and, as a songwriter, as Jesse Oris Farrow. He is best known for writing the quintessential 1960s love-and-peace anthem "Let's Get Together."
Before serving in the United States Air Force and playing in the coffeehouses of Boston and Provincetown, Massachusetts, Powers had already performed as "Dino Valenti" with small rock bands in New England lounges.
In the early 1960s, he performed in Greenwich Village and North Beach coffeehouses such as the Cock 'n' Bull and the Cafe Wha?, often with fellow singer-songwriter Fred Neil, and occasionally with Karen Dalton, Bob Dylan, Lou Gossett, Josh White, Len Chandler, Paul Stookey, David Crosby and others. He influenced other performers including Richie Havens, who continued to perform some of Powers' early "train songs". Powers was prevented from acquiring a cabaret license due to an earlier arrest, a requirement that was beginning to be imposed on Village entertainers at the time.