Although Ram Jam's career only lasted for two years, the band stamped its name
into the classic-rock history books with its driving cover of Lead Belly's
"Black Betty." Released in 1977 as part of the band's self-titled debut, the
song peaked at Number 18 in America and cracked the Top 10 in Australia,
Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK. Bill Barlett, the band's guitarist and
co-founder, had previously enjoyed similar success as a member of the Lemon
Pipers, whose bubblegum pop single "Green Tambourine" topped the charts in
February 1968. Ram Jam's heyday proved to be short-lived, ...