Commander Cody
Commander Cody, born George Frayne IV on July 19, 1944, in Boise, Idaho, was an influential American musician known for his pioneering role in the country rock genre. Raised in Brooklyn and Long Island, New York, Frayne developed his musical skills on the piano before attending the University of Michigan in 1963 to study art. It was there that he met John Tichy, and together they formed the band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen in 1967 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The band, named after a 1950s film serial character, became renowned for their energetic live performances and unique blend of country rock, western swing, and rockabilly. Their first album, "Lost in the Ozone," released in 1971, featured the hit single "Hot Rod Lincoln," which reached the top ten on the Billboard singles chart in 1972.
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen were known for their marathon live shows and a no-frills, back-to-basics approach to music. They were a precursor to the Austin, Texas music scene of the 1980s and influenced bands like Asleep at the Wheel. Despite changes in musical trends, Commander Cody's work remained influential, contributing to the revival of the bar band sound in the 1990s.
George Frayne continued to perform as Commander Cody until his death on September 26, 2021, in Saratoga Springs, New York. His legacy as a musician who fused diverse American roots music into a cohesive and innovative sound endures.