Bio: Jerry Corbetta & Sugarloaf
The Rise of Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf, named after the majestic Colorado mountain, emerged as the state’s most dynamic musical export during the summer of 1969. Founded by keyboard virtuoso Jerry Corbetta, the original lineup featured Bob Webber, Bob Raymond, Myron Pollock, and Bob MacVittie. Their mission was ambitious: to fuse the sophistication of jazz and classical music with the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll.
They achieved instant immortality in 1970 with their debut single, "Green-Eyed Lady." A masterclass in "modal" rock, the song became a pop classic and remains a staple of Classic Rock radio today.
The "Touch Tone" Incident
In 1976, the band struck gold again with the hit "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You." A biting satire of the music industry, the track famously featured the sound of touch-tone dialing at the beginning and end.
The Legend: Fans quickly discovered that the tones corresponded to the actual phone numbers for CBS Records and the White House. The resulting flood of thousands of fan calls eventually forced the White House to change its 800 number!
The Virtuoso: Jerry Corbetta
Jerry Corbetta was a musical prodigy, beginning his career as a drummer at age four alongside his sister, Nancy, for the Bob Hope U.S.O. tours. By college, he had mastered six instruments. His "keyboard magic" became the signature sound of Sugarloaf, characterized by what he described as a "15th-century modal sound" mixed with high-energy rock.
Collaboration & The Four Seasons
Following Sugarloaf's disbandment in 1977, Corbetta’s career reached new heights as a songwriter and producer.
• The Four Seasons: In 1979, Frankie Valli hand-selected Jerry to join the reformed Four Seasons. Jerry toured and recorded as a "Season" until 1984.
• The Songwriter: Alongside legendary producers Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, Jerry penned hits for icons like Belinda Carlisle, Roberta Flack, Peabo Bryson, and Grace Jones.
• Film & Politics: His work appeared in films like The Untouchables and Mannequin, and he was even commissioned to write the theme song for H. Ross Perot’s 1992 presidential campaign.
The Classic Rock All Stars
In the 1990s, Jerry formed the Classic Rock All Stars with Mike Pinera (Iron Butterfly), Pete Rivera (Rare Earth), and Spencer Davis. This "supergroup" toured the world, celebrating the hits that defined an era. Despite his busy schedule, Jerry always made time for annual Sugarloaf reunion shows to satisfy a global fan base that never stopped growing.
Legacy
Today, the Sugarloaf catalog—including the digitally remastered Best of Sugarloaf—continues to introduce new generations to Jerry Corbetta’s "melodic zest" and technical finesse. Though Jerry passed away in 2016, his influence as a performer, writer, and innovator remains a cornerstone of Colorado music history.
