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Trippin Down a Country Road by Jake Jones

Jake Jones was originally from St. Louis, Missouri and released two albums on Kapp Records in the early seventies. No one in the group was actually named "Jake Jones".

I recently heard from Phil Jost of Jake Jones. He supplied the following update about the group.

Chuck Sabatino had a stroke while playing for Mike MacDonald in Los Angeles in 1994. A benefit was put on at Mississippi nights in 1994 for Chuck by many of his friends and former bandmates. He passed away in 1996 in Belleville, Illinois where his family had moved back to.

Joe Marshall still lives in the St. Louis Area and plays frequently.

I moved to LA in 1978 and became assistant to Producer/Engineer Ken Scott. (Superertramp, David Bowie, Elton John) I had the pleasure to work on albums both as a player and or engenering & production with the Dixie Dreggs & Steve Morris, Stanley Clarke, Jeff Beck, Kansas, Supertramp and many orthers including Missing Persons. I was a member in that group briefly.

I began writing with David Palmer who had been in Steely Dan as a singer. He also wrote the lyrics to the "Jazzman" album by Carole King. We had a tune in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" and recorded an album for Warner Bros with Eagles Producer Bill Sczymick.

I live in Belleville, Illinois and still compose music including themes for audio visual and broadcast.

In 1998 I released a CD & Video: "Live at the Charlotte Convention Center" which was recorded in April 1997 while opening for the Atlanta Rhythm section there.

For other information or to inquire about how to purchase one of the CD's or Videos, I can be contacted at: philjost@aol.com

ALSO there was a 3rd, un-released album that Jake Jones recorded in 1973.

I also recently heard from Joe Marshall of Jake Jones. He supplied the following information about the group.

Thanks for the information about our band, Jake Jones - I can correct a few details and provide some updated info:

Chuck Sabatino - yes, he died on his 45th birthday, in 1996, after a stroke in 1994 that left him paralyzed - he was due to leave for Portugal when he was stricken.

Joe Marshall - actually, I never owned the nightclub, Timbers, but I did play there between 1984 and 1996 - I now work at St. Louis Music, and still play nearly every weekend, with a group called "The Sloppy Joes", as well as with a weddiing band called "Sundance and Brass".

James Ovid Bilderback - you have the situation right, in that he had a drug problem that he finally dealt with - good luck to him.

Mike Krenski - wrote "The Cheater" in 1965 for Bob Kuban and the In-Men - still flies planes and teaches would-be pilots - worked for McDonnell Douglas/Boeing, last I heard.

Phil Jost - actually I see him nearly every day, as he works at St. Louis Music with me - Phil is now the product manager for Crate Pro Audio - he still plays occasionally with his sisters in a group named "Sibling Rivalry".

I know there's a lot I'm leaving out, but thanks for the interest in our band - I have a videotape of a studio session from May of 1972, with Chuck on bass and Barney Biver on drums - I can't believe how young we were - the arrangements were quite complex, as I guess we did a lot of practicing as well as playing at that time.

One last fact - our last job was in 1973, opening act for the Eagles, and Dan Fogelberg, in Springfield, Illinois.

Thanks to Michael Kladky for supplying the following information about the members of Jake Jones. Chuck Sabatino (flute,vocals) died in L.A. just a few years ago. He was playing with Michael McDonald (Doobie Bros.). Chuck grew up with Michael, they used to skip school together. (McCluer High School in St. Louis, Missouri). Joey Marshall (guitar) used to own a bar down on Laclede's Landing (St. Louis, Missouri) called "Timbers". He also played in the house band there. (He still might?/!) Ovid (drums) quit(??) the band (alcohol and drug problem). He later found Jesus, and joined a Jesus Freak Jazz band. Mike Krenski (bass) quit the band shortly after their first album. (Chuck took over the bass) He was a record producer in L.A. Phil Jost (keyboards) whereabouts are currently unknown. When Jake Jones broke up, they did form another band called "Full Moon Consort" (and released one album) in 1975. They were playing in the St. Louis area for quite a bit..

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