Geoff Levin

Geoff Levin
Background information
Born (1945-09-14) September 14, 1945 (age 79)
San Francisco, California United States
OriginUnited States
GenresRock, blues, film score, country, pop
Occupation(s)Composer, songwriter, producer, guitarist
InstrumentsGuitar, banjo, keyboards
Years active1964–present
Websitegeofflevin.com

Geoff Levin (born September 14, 1945) is an American rock musician, film/television composer and songwriter. Performing as part of the Black Mountain Boys with Jerry Garcia in the early years of his career, in 1968 his own group, People!, scored a hit record "I Love You" on Capitol Records.[1][2] Together with Geoffrey Lewis in 1970, he created Celestial Navigations, a storytelling group, that produced 8 albums, several made the Billboard (New Age) charts. He co-composed and co-produced "The Janitor", an Academy Award-nominated animated short based on a story by Geoffrey Lewis from the album Celestial Navigations.[3][4][5] Levin has scored over 40 full-length films and has created music used in many TV shows including The Sopranos, Chicago Fire, The Good Wife, Friends, Bloodline, SNL, Game of Thrones, Friday Night Lights, CSI, and Weeds. He co-wrote the theme song for Jakers, an Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning PBS animated series. In addition, he composed music for James Cameron's deep sea documentary, Last Mysteries of the Titanic.[6] In 2007, as part of People!, Levin was inducted into San Jose's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[7][8][9]

Biography

Levin was born in San Francisco, California, to Manny Levin and Esther Bloom. Levin grew up in San Jose and attended Willow Glen High School.[10] He began playing the guitar at 16 and started performing at 17.[10] He performed regularly at Offstage, a folk club in San Jose founded by Paul Foster that later hosted artists including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jorma Kaukonen, Paul Kantner, Jerry Garcia[11][12] David Freiberg and David Crosby, Odetta, Jesse Fuller, The Albin Brothers (members of Janis Joplin's band) and Malvina Reynolds.[10] Levin attended San Jose State University and performed with numerous artists including Jerry Garcia and the Black Mountain Boys and his own band, The Piney Creek Ramblers with his brother Robbie Levin.[10][13]

In 2017, Levin's former band People! decided to come back together to start recording their new album which includes the single Eve of Destruction. Current members include, Gene Mason, Denny Fridkin, Robb Levin, Geoff Levin, and John Tristao.[14][2][15]

Career

People!

Levin is the former member of the rock band People!.[1]

Producing

Levin helped produced the album Tusks & Horns for artist Mayuka Thaïs which was released in May 2014.[16][17] Levin and Thaïs performed the single off the album Tusks & Horns at the Global March for Elephants & Rhinos on October 4, 2014.[18]

Collaboration

For her exhibition held at the Carnegie Art Museum, Levin collaborated with artist Bobbie Moline-Kramer by adding auditory experience to complement the art pieces.[19][20][13]

Personal life

In 1975, Levin met Diana Canova and in 1976 they were married. They divorced in 1979. In 1993, Levin married Lisa London and had two children, son Collin, and daughter Savannah. Levin and London divorced in 2006.[10] Levin was a Scientologist for 30 years, even having served in the Sea Org., Scientology's religious order, aboard the Apollo.[21]

Discography

Film

Year Title Director Studio Notes
1983 The Measure of America Tom Solari Solari Communications —
1987 Heart James Lemmo New World Pictures —
1999 Spies and Lovers Gary Graver International Investment Holdings Ltd. —
1989 Beyond the Stars David Saperstein Five Star Entertainment —
1989 Dreamers Robert F. Lyons Midsummer Productions —
1990 Nerds of a Feather Gary Graver — —
1994 Skins Wings Hauser Single Wing Productions —
1995 The Janitor Vanessa Schwartz National Film Board of Canada Academy Award-nominated animated short based on a story by Geoffrey Lewis from the album Celestial Navigations.
1997 I'll Be Home for Christmas Jerry London Fremantle Media North America —
1997 Mobius Noel Sterrett Admit One Pictures —
1998 Second Chances James Fargo Rhineberger Organization Inc. —
1999 Jimmy Zip Robert McGinley — —
1999 A Kid Called Danger Eric Hendershot Speedy Films —
1999 Wasted in Babylon Joshua McGowan — —
1999 The Last Great Ride Ralph E. Portillo Mosquito Productions —
2000 The Smokers Kat Slater International Production Company —
2000 The Black Rose Steven Rush Handheld Productions —
2001 Extreme Honor Steven Rush Handheld Productions —
2002 Bloody Crisis Gerald Barclay Gee-Bee Productions —
2002 Hungry Hearts Rolf Schrader Ascension 7 Films —
2002 Hello Tom Cadman — —
2003 Moving Alan Christopher Shelton Destiny Entertainment —
2003 The Ghost Club Ralph E. Portillo Hemisphere Entertainment —
2003 The Wager Henry Crum — —
2003 A.N.I. 1240 Rolf Schrader American Film Institute —
2003 Double Negative Tue Walin Storm American Film Institute —
2003 Underdog Scott Leberecht — —
2003 One of Them Ralph E. Portillo MTI Home Video —
2003 Natural Selection Scott Leberecht — —
2004 Undercover Kids Ralph E. Portillo Hemisphere Entertainment —
2004 Quiet Kill Mark Jones Esoteric Pictures —
2004 Among Thieves Oscar Daniels Red Sea Films —
2004 Haunted House Conrad John — —
2005 United Taron Lexton TXL Films —
2005 Searching for Bobby D Paul Borghese Neighborhood Filmworks —
2008 Kemper Rick Bitzelberger Mainline Releasing —
2005 Made for Each Other Brad White White Film Production —
2005 Last Mysteries of the Titanic Neil Flagg Discovery Channel —
2005 Confessions of a Pit Fighter Art Camacho Alliance Group Entertainment —
2006 Strip Poker Alex D'Lerma Tostado Productions —
2006 House of the Rising Sun Bill Balas AYM Films —
2006 Who Made the Potatoe Salad? Coke Daniels Dos Bros. LLC —
2006 Social Security Guard Jason Cook — —
2007 Agenda Jonathan de la Luz Azisa Pictures —
2007 The Rat Thing Kevin Keresey Relentless Productions —
2007 The Tehuacan Project Andrew Lauer Reel-Aid —
2007 Born Richard Friedman Devil's Child Picture Company —
2007 From Fire: An Odyssey of Glass Karen Lavender LiveTribe Productions —
2007 Yours Truly Tom Wozny — —
2008 The Grift Ralph E. Portillo Hemisphere Entertainment —
2008 Triloquist Mark Jones Sawyers Levine Jones Productions —
2008 America's Phoneless Ted Prescott Prince / Prescott Productions —
2008 Nine Fourteen Carolyn Bevacqua — —
2009 Set Apart Ralph E. Portillo Hemisphere Entertainment —
2009 Becoming Jesse Tate Ralph E. Portillo GodFilms —
2009 Flying By Jim Amatulli Arte Films —
2009 Spaceman on Earth Shant Hamassian — —
2011 Dreams Awake Jerry Alden Deal Susan Johnston Casting —
2011 Midnight Son Scott Leberecht Free Lunch Productions —
2012 Henry Collin Mckenzee Levin — —
2012 iVOTE Rob Adler — —
2013 Avec amour Collin Mckenzee Levin — —
2013 Halfway to Hell Richard Friedman APT. 1B Productions —
2013 The Homecoming Jan Tussing Blue Boots Entertainment —
2013 Noah Hammer Joao Gabriel Kowalski — —
2013 Flabbergasted Bruno B. Campelo — —
2014 Finding Harmony Dagen Merrill Once Upon A Dream —
2016 In Search of Liberty Norm Novitsky Blu Nile Films —

Television

Title Year Notes
Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour 1988-1989 Paul Brownstein Productions
Street Sharks 1994-1996 DIC Entertainment
What if 1996 Barraclough Carey Productions
Perfect Assassins 1998 Promark Entertainment Group
Beauty 1998 Citadel Entertainment
As Time Runs Out 1999 Fremantle Media North America
Riddle of the Desert Mummies 1999 Terra Nova Television
Sabrina, the Animated Series 1999 Buena Vista Television
K2: Surviving the Mountain 2001 National Geographic Channel
Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks 2003 Entara Ltd.
UnDetectables 2005 Discovery Channel
ChalkZone 2004-2005 Frederator Studios
Last Mysteries of the Titanic 2005 Last Mysteries of the Titanic
Random! Cartoons 2007 Frederator Studios

TV movies

Year Title Director Studio Notes
1992 The Price She Paid Fred Walton Sandyhook Productions —
1997 I'll Be Home for Christmas Jerry London Fremantle Media North America —
1999 As Time Runs Out John de Graaf —
2001 The Valley of the T-Rex Reuben Aaronson Discovery Channel —

Documentary

Year Title Director Studio Notes
2005 Answering the Call: Ground Zero's Volunteers Lou Angeli Chesca Media Group LLC —
2007 Google Me — Killeen Films —

Videos

Title Year Director Notes
Hot Boyz 2002 Master P No Limit Films
Far on Foot 2001 Stephanie R.M. Smith Sisyphs Productions
Dark Wolf 2003 Richard Friedman DarkWolf Picture Company LLC
One of Them 2003 N/A N/A
Maisie Undercover: Shadow Boxer 2006 J.W. McHausen MRG Entertainment
Succubus: Hell-Bent 2007 Kim Bass V1 Cut Productions
Kemper 2008 Rick Bitzelberger Mainline Releasing

Albums

Title Artist Year Role Labels
Little Wheel Spin and Spin Buffy Sainte-Marie 1966 Lead guitar Vanguard
I Love You People! 1968 Lead guitar Capital Records
Both Sides of People People! 1969 Lead guitar Capital Records
Isle of View Jimmie Spheeris 1971 Lead guitar CBS
Original Tap Dancing Kid Jimmie Spheeris 1973 Lead guitar Epic
The Eloquent Elephant Dick Glass 1974 Lead guitar Moonwatcher
Falling into Spring Rita Coolidge 1974 Energy bow, dobro A&M Records
Wings Livinryte Wings Hauser 1975 Elbow, Guitar RCA Victor
The Dragon Is Dancing Jimmy Spheeris 1975 Lead guitar Epic
Port of the Heart Jimmy Spheeris 1976 Lead guitarist Epic
Laverne and Shirley Sing Laverne and Shirley 1976 Songwriter Oh Gee!
Live at McCabes Larry McNeely, Geoff Levin, and Jack Skinner 1977 N/A Flying Fish
Confederation Larry McNeely, Geoff Levin, and Jack Skinner 1977 N/A Sheffield Labs
Celestial Navigations Chapter 1 Celestial Navigations 1986 N/A K-tel
Celestial Navigations Chapter 2 Celestial Navigations 1989 N/A N/A
After Midnight Larry McNeely, Geoff Levin, and Jack Skinner 1990 N/A Sheffield Labs
Celestial Navigations Ice Chapter 3 Celestial Navigations 1992 N/A N/A
Celestial Navigations Road Train Chapter 4 Celestial Navigations 1995 N/A N/A
Celestial Navigations The Connection Chapter 5 Celestial Navigations 2005 N/A N/A
Live at the Matrix Celestial Navigations 2006 N/A N/A
Celestial Navigations Space Racer Chapter 6 Celestial Navigations 2008 N/A N/A
Celestial Navigations War Chapter 7 Celestial Navigations 2008 N/A N/A
Tusks & Horns Mayuka Thaïs 2014 Producer Independent

Singles

Title Artist Year Role Labels
I Love You People! 1968 Lead guitar Capitol Records
I Love You/Somebody Tell Me My Name People! 1968 Lead guitar Capitol Records
Crying Shoes People! 1968 Lead guitar Capitol Records
Apple Cider/Ashes of Me People! 1968 Lead guitar Capitol Records
Ulla/Turnin' Me In People! 1968 Lead guitar Capitol Records

Video interviews

Awards

Year Award Category Work Result
2013 Action on Film Best Score - Feature Half Way to Hell Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b Harris, Ron (October 22, 2007). "Split over Scientology, '60's band 'People' Reunites for One Night". Religion News Blog. The Salinas Californian. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Levin, Geoff. "People!: The '60s rock hitmakers with the Larry Norman connection". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  3. ^ Barnes, Mike (April 7, 2015). "Geoffrey Lewis, Frequent Co-Star of Clint Eastwood, Dies at 79". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  4. ^ "Celestial Navigations". Celestial Navigations.
  5. ^ "Haunted House Movie". Haunted House Movie.
  6. ^ Cameron, James (2012). James Cameron: Interviews. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781617031311.
  7. ^ "San Jose Rocks". Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  8. ^ Levin, Geoff. "Geoff Levin". Geoff Levin. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  9. ^ "Dreams Awake". Dreams Awake Movie. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c d e Levin, Geoff. "About". Geoff Levin. Retrieved January 7, 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "Hear Jerry Garcia Perform Rare 'Deep Elem Blues' From New Garcia Box Set". Rolling Stone. April 12, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  12. ^ "Round Records Shares 2 Jerry Garcia 'Before The Dead' Singles". Jam Base. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  13. ^ a b "APM Music - Composer Geoff Levin Creates Music From Abstract Art". www.apmmusic.com. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  14. ^ "The Jerry Bovino Show". Grassrootstv. Archived from the original on August 30, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  15. ^ "The Reinvigoration of a Classic 60s Rock Group". SF GATE. April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "Mayuka Thais About". Mayuka Thais. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  17. ^ "Beyond the zoo gates". Issh International. The International. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  18. ^ "Global March For Elephants & Rhinos 2014". Bands in Town. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  19. ^ Seiden, Franceasca. "Bobbie Moline-Kramer Our Willingness To Experience Art Through One Thing". LA i creative. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  20. ^ "As Above So Below Bobbie Moline-Kramer Artist Reception". zoomdune.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  21. ^ "Scientology's arbitration contracts are 'unconscionable,' say trafficking victims | The Underground Bunker". tonyortega.org. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "An interview with Mat Gleason". Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  23. ^ "The Jerry Bovino Show - "Rock and Roll Brothers" with Robbie Levin, Geoff Levin, and Host Jerry Bovino". Archived from the original on August 30, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
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