Oak
Artist profile

Oak

Oak formed in Los Angeles in 1969 with bassist Rick Rosas, drummer Gene Parsons, guitarist Jim Basnight, and vocalist Harvey Gerst. They signed with RCA...

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Editor's note

Oak's brief, bright flash of California rock.

A Los Angeles band that scored a hit in 1970 and kept shifting its sound.

For the hit, obviously 'Ain't Wastin' Time No More.' But 'Blind Love' or 'Black Hearted Woman' from their top songs give you a better feel for their heavier, bluesier side.

They landed a top 20 single right out of the gate with 'Ain't Wastin' Time No More,' a song that still pops up on classic rock radio. Their self-titled debut for RCA captured that early '70s L.A. vibe, but the later albums like 'American Gothic' and 'Restoration' show a band that wasn't just repeating itself. You can hear them trying to get more soulful and funky as the lineup changed.

Oak formed in L.A. in 1969 and signed with RCA the next year. After the original lineup splintered in 1973, new members came in and the music took a turn. They called it quits in 1978, though they got back together briefly decades later.

edit_note Ethan Walker · LyroVerse team · Apr 19
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LyroVerse editor's notes are short interpretation guides, not final verdicts. If something needs a correction, visit About or Contact.

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Background notes

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Oak formed in Los Angeles in 1969 with bassist Rick Rosas, drummer Gene Parsons, guitarist Jim Basnight, and vocalist Harvey Gerst. They signed with RCA Records the following year and released their self-titled debut album, which included the single 'Ain't Wastin' Time No More.' That song became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1973, Rosas and Basnight left the band. Steve Price joined on bass and Bobby Roberts on guitar, and the group's sound shifted toward something more soulful and funk-infused. They put out albums like 'American Gothic' in 1971 and 'Restoration' in 1974, but none matched the commercial reach of their debut.

Oak disbanded in 1978. They reunited in the early 2000s for some live shows and released a compilation called 'The Lost Performances.'

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Where should I start with Oak on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with Blind Love, Black Hearted Woman, and All Night Train so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for Oak?

LyroVerse currently has 10 visible lyric pages for Oak.

Does Oak have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 2 photos available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for Oak?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

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