Died On This Date (November 16, 1994) Dino Valenti / Popular ’70s Singer-Songwriter

themusicsover November 16, 2009 0 Comments

Dino Valente (Born Chet Powers)
November 7, 1943 – November 16, 1994

Chet Powers was a singer-songwriter who was better known by his professional name, Dino Valenti.  Valenti got his start during the early ’60s in the same Greenwich Village coffeehouses and clubs as Bob Dylan, Josh White and Paul Stookey.  Valenti soon moved to Los Angeles where he penned perhaps his most famous song, “Get Together” (under Chet Powers).  The song would become popularized by Jefferson Starship and the Younbloods.  He soon found himself as a member of San Francisco psychedelic rock band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, but after one of several drug arrests, he was kicked out of the band.  Valenti did return to the band’s fold in later years, contributing several songs.    Valenti underwent brain surgery in 1981, so his future work was limited to local gigs due to the initial brain illness.  He was 57 when he died suddenly in his home on November 16, 1994.

What You Should Own