Chester (Chet) William Powers, Jr. (October 7, 1937 – November 16, 1994) was an American singer-songwriter, and a member of the rock group Quicksilver Messenger Service. He was also known by the stage name "Dino Valenti" and, as a songwriter, as Jesse Oris Farrow. His best-known compostion was the 1960s classic "Get Together".
Before serving in the US 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 coffee-houses 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 and others. He influenced other performers including Richie Havens, who performed 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.
By 1963 Valenti/Powers was in Los Angeles where folk-rock had already begun to coalesce. During this period he wrote his best-known song "Let's Get Together". "Get Together", a quintessential 1960s love-and-peace anthem, was later recorded by The Kingston Trio, We Five, The Dave Clark Five, H.P.Lovecraft, Jefferson Airplane and The Youngbloods, among others.
Valenti/Powers moved north to the San Francisco Bay area where he recorded for Autumn Records, though no album was ever issued. He had been friendly with Roger McGuinn in Los Angeles and it is said that The Byrds' Michael Clarke played in a band with Valenti/Powers in Big Sur. He is said to have played in an early line-up of the San Francisco psychedelic rock group Quicksilver Messenger Service when John Cipollina, David Freiberg, and Jim Murray all joined his group in 1964. He later rejoined the group as its lead singer and main songwriter.
Powers' career was blighted by several drug busts. After arrest for possession of marijuana, while awaiting trial he was searched again by police who found more marijuana, then amphetamines in his apartment. He received a one-to-ten-year sentence at Folsom State Prison. To raise money for his defense he sold the publishing rights for "Get Together" to the manager of the Kingston Trio (the Trio had recorded the song in 1964).
Pseudonyms
Jackie Powers, Dino Valenti, Dino Valente, Jesse Oris Farrow, Jesse Orris Farrow
Discography
Solo "Don't Let It Down" / "Birdses" (Elektra 45012) 1964? Dino Valente (album)
External links
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