Pure Prairie League - The Later Years

The Later Years

Despite the lack of a recording contract, the group still found itself in demand as a live act and played in clubs and at outdoor festivals.

Tim Goshorn returned in 1982 and Mike Hamilton (vocals, guitars, from Kenny Loggins' band) also joined the same year and was there for 6 months. Al Garth (vocals, woodwinds, fiddle, keyboards), another Loggins alumnus (Loggins & Messina, also Poco and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), joined from 1982-1985.

Longtime drummer Billy Hinds retired from the road in 1984. He was first succeeded by Merle Bregante (also ex-Loggins & Messina and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) and then by Joel Rosenblatt in 1985. Sax player Dan Clawson took over for Garth in 1985, and Gary Burr (vocals, guitars) was there from 1984 to 1985.

1985 also saw the return of PPL co-founder Craig Fuller (who had fronted the groups American Flyer and Fuller/Kaz in the mid-to-late 70s after he'd returned to music). Mementos 1971-1987, released on the small Rushmore label, was recorded back in Ohio, where the band had returned their base, and featured guest appearances from many of the band's alumni, including Gill, Powell, the Goshorns, Call, Burr and Mike Hamilton. In 1988 the band decided to call it a day. Fuller, who had already joined a reformed Little Feat in 1987, played with PPL for their final shows in the spring of 1988.