Firefall

Boulder and Atlantic

Firefall formed in Boulder, Colorado in 1974 around Rick Roberts, formerly of the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Jock Bartley, formerly of Zephyr, who met in 1973 when Bartley toured with Gram Parsons' band. Mark Andes, formerly of Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne, and Larry Burnett joined in 1974, with Michael Clarke, formerly of the Byrds, on drums; the name came from the Yosemite Firefall. Bartley says they were playing a little club called the Good Earth in Boulder before the record deal. Chris Hillman produced a 1975 demo, and shows at The Other End in New York led to an Atlantic contract. David Muse, on keyboards, flute and saxophone, joined in 1975.

Firefall (April 8, 1976), recorded at Criteria in Miami with the producer Jim Mason, reached 28 and went platinum, the fastest record to gold in Atlantic history per Wikipedia. Luna Sea followed on July 15, 1977, and Elan in October 1978, their first platinum album, with "Strange Way" reaching 11. Undertow (March 1980) was the last with the original line-up; Clarke and Andes left in 1980, Burnett in April 1981, and Roberts in August 1981 for a solo career, after which Atlantic dropped the band. Bartley rebuilt it in 1982 with Johnne Sambataro and Chuck Kirkpatrick, and says he was the last guy standing who didn't quit.

Roberts returned in 1989 to 1992, they made Messenger in 1994, and an acoustic Firefall began in 2005. A reunion at the Boulder Theater on April 9, 2008 became Reunion Live (2009). The Colorado Music Hall of Fame inducted them, in January 2015 by most accounts. Comet (December 11, 2020) was their first new album in nearly 20 years, followed by Friends & Family (September 22, 2023) and Friends & Family 2 (May 2025). Muse died on August 6, 2022. Setlist.fm lists 505 setlists, still touring in 2026, with Bartley the sole original member.