Jesse Colin Young, the guitarist and frontman of The Youngbloods, has died at 83. A representative confirmed he passed away at his home in Aiken, South Carolina on March 15.
Born Perry Miller on November 22, 1941, in Queens, New York, Young became a defining voice of the 1960s counterculture. As the frontman of The Youngbloods, he immortalized the ideals of peace and unity with their 1967 hit “Get Together,” which became an anthem of the era.
Young began his career with solo albums before forming The Youngbloods. After the band, he pursued a solo career blending folk, rock, jazz, and blues, releasing albums like Song for Juli (1973) and On the Road (1976), often reflecting his commitment to social justice and environmental issues.
Despite personal challenges, including Lyme disease, Young continued performing for decades, with later works like Dreamers (2019) affirming his enduring legacy as a musician and advocate for unity.