David Raskin (June 15, 1943 – August 16, 2022), who performed as Kal David, was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, whose 50-year musical career in Illinois, New York, and California extended through various phases, including a highly regarded stint with Columbia Records in the early 1970s.
Biography
Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Raskin began using the performing name "Kal David" in his late teens as the frontman of his neighborhood band, Kal David and the Exceptions, formed in 1961. Its other members were Peter Cetera (bass, vocals), Denny Ebert (drums, vocals), and Marty Grebb (saxophone, keyboards, guitar, vocals). Cetera later joined the Big Thing, which became Chicago, and Grebb joined the Buckinghams. Around this time Kal David and the Exceptions were regular performers at the Interlude Club on Pulaski in Chicago.
Kal David left the group to sign a recording contract with King Records and, later, with Vee-Jay Records. In 1965, during his stint at Vee-Jay, he formed a new duo, The Rovin' Kind, with guitarist Paul Cotton, and the two transferred to Dunwich Records. Following a name change to Illinois Speed Press and a move to Los Angeles in 1968, the duo recorded two albums for Columbia, the self-titled Illinois Speed Press and Duet.
Davdi was later a member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.
Kal David died on August 16, 2022, at the age of 79.
Honors
In 2004, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Kal David and Lauri Bono.
Discography
Paragon – Kal David and Lauri Bono (2018) Take That Task Records
Living the Dream – Kal David and Lauri Bono (2015) Crytone/CD Baby
Kal David Band LIVE! – Kal David (featuring Miss Lauri Bono) (2015) Ari Records
Crossroads of My Life – Kal David (2010) Crytone/CD Baby
Live... At Blue Guitar... Last Call – Lauri Bono (featuring Kal David) (2006) Blue Guitar Live... At Blue Guitar... Last Call – Kal David (2006) Blue Guitar Live At Blue Guitar... By Request – Kal David and The Real Deal (2001) Blue Guitar Double Tuff- Kal David (1993) Soul Coast Never A Dull Moment – Kal David (1992) Soul Coast Cross Country Blues – John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (with Kal David, Don McMinn, Coco Montoya) [recorded 1981 and 1984] (1992) One Way The Rhinestones – The Fabulous Rhinestones (Kal David, Harvey Brooks, Marty Grebb) (1975) Just Sunshine/20th Century Freewheelin' – The Fabulous Rhinestones (Kal David, Harvey Brooks, Marty Grebb) (1973) Just Sunshine/Paramount The Fabulous Rhinestones – The Fabulous Rhinestones (Kal David, Harvey Brooks, Marty Grebb) (1972) Just Sunshine/Paramount Vacuum Cleaner – Merryweather & Carey (Neil Merryweather and Lynn Carey) (1971) RCA Duet – Illinois Speed Press (Kal David and Paul Cotton) (1970) Columbia Illinois Speed Press – Illinois Speed Press (Kal David and Paul Cotton) (1969) Columbia Chhalia (original soundtrack recording) (features Kal David and others) (7" 45rpm EP release) (19??) Angel [India] Records "Can't Sit Down" b/w "You Turn Me On" – Barney Pip with The Rovin' Kind (7" single release) (1967) Smash Records "She" b/w "Didn't Want To Have To Do It" – The Rovin' Kind (Kal David and Paul Cotton) (7" single release) (1967) Dunwich Records "My Generation" b/w "Girl" – The Rovin' Kind (Kal David and Paul Cotton) (7" single release) (1966) Dunwich Records "Right On Time" b/w "Night People" – The Rovin' Kind (Kal David and Paul Cotton) (7" single release) (1966) Roulette Records "Everybody" b/w "Bound To Roam" – The Rovin' Kind (Kal David and Paul Cotton) (7" single release) (1965) Contrapoint Records "Come On Home" b/w "Dancin' Danny" – Kal David and The Exceptions (7" single release) (1965) Tollie Records [subsidiary of Vee-Jay] "Searchin'" b/w "Daydreaming Of You" – Kal David and The Exceptions (7" single release) (1964) Tollie Records [subsidiary of Vee-Jay] "Forgotten Dreams" b/w "Little Everyday Things" – Kal David and The Exceptions (7" single release) (1962) Ardore Records
Equipment
1964 Gibson Firebird V
1963 (?) Gibson Firebird III Custom
1998 Fender Vibroverb
2000 Mesa Maverick Combo
1955 Vintage Gibson Echoplex
References
External links
Kal David official website, tour schedule and discography
WDW Radio Interview
Kal David Interview – NAMM Oral History Library (2016)