Fantasy - Fantasy (1969) (2007)

US act FANTASY was formed by 5 teenagers in Miami in 1967, originally consisting of Billy ROBBINS (vocals), Bob ROBBINS (bass), Jim DeMEO (guitar), Mario RUSSO (keyboards) and Greg KIMPLE (Drums). They slowly built up a following, and local popularity eventually saw them signed as a house band on "Thee Image", a highly popular venue at the time. The band played there every weekend from 1968, and got to open for acts like Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Steppenwolf and other artists popular at the time.

Then disaster strikes for the band, as vocalist Billy Robbins; who was a charismatic frontman with no small part in the success they had achieved so far, went missing - and eventually turned up dead. Some time after the band starts searching for a new lead singer, and eventually settles on Lydia Janene MILLER (aka Jamene Miller); a 16 year old highly talented vocalist with a rough, powerful voice in the tradition of Janis Joplin and Grace Slick.

Fantasy got signed to Liberty/United Artists shortly after, and their self-titled debut album is released in 1970. They get a minor hit single with the instrumental Stoned Cowboy, but apart from that the album went nowhere. Miller decides to leave the band, unsuccessfully trying to establish a solo career, while the rest of the band carried on as Year One.