Blues Image Singer Mike Pinera Passed Away At 76
Mike Pinera, the legendary singer and guitarist behind Blues Image’s 1970 hit “Ride Captain Ride,” passed away on Nov. 20 at age 76. He died peacefully at his home in Tampa, Florida, after a long illness, as confirmed by the St. Pete Catalyst.
A Psychedelic Journey with Blues Image
Blues Image brought a fresh twist to rock with their Latin-infused psychedelic sound. Starting in Tampa, they opened the city’s first psychedelic club, Dino’s, and later became a fixture at Miami’s iconic Thee Image club. Their unique style earned them gigs opening for rock legends like Cream, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, and Led Zeppelin. Pinera even struck up a close friendship with Jimmy Page during this time.
Reflecting on the band’s creative evolution, Pinera once said, “In Blues Image, Manny Bertematti and I began learning meditation techniques, vegetarian diets, fasting, and treating everyone we met like they were our family. … Our music expressed levels of spontaneity that had us playing the very same thing together at the same time – without knowing how or why!”
Life Beyond Blues Image
After Blues Image disbanded, Pinera joined Iron Butterfly and contributed to their 1970 album Metamorphosis. His song “Butterfly Bleu” showcased one of the first uses of the Talk Box, a now-iconic device in rock music. Pinera reunited with Iron Butterfly several times through 1993 and later joined Alice Cooper’s band for a two-year stint in the 1980s.
Pinera spoke fondly of his encounters with rock icons when reflecting on his career highlights in a 2014 interview. “Meeting, becoming friends, and jamming with Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page, among others,” he said, were unforgettable moments. “They were very social and open if you got to know them. … But in quiet, laid-back surroundings, you could feel a deep sadness and hunger for true friendship and sincerity.”
Mike Pinera’s music and spirit left a lasting impression on rock history, and his journey continues to inspire fans and musicians alike.
