Lazarus

Lazarus were a 1970s American soft rock band, consisting of principal members Billie Hughes, Gary Dye, and Carl Keesee. Hughes was the leader of the band, serving as lead singer and songwriter, and playing guitar and violin. The band are considered early artists in the Contemporary Christian movement. Background The band members of Lazarus met in 1968 in Abilene, Texas, while Hughes and Keesee were attending Abilene Christian College. Hughes, Keesee and Gary Dye formed a band, initially named Shiloh. At a Peter, Paul & Mary concert March 20, 1968, at the ACC Moody Coliseum Auditorium, they were able to meet Peter Yarrow backstage and play him their demo tape. Lazarus returned to Abilene, Texas to appear with Peter Yarrow in his concert at the Civic Center in April 1972. In association with Yarrow and producer Phil Ramone, Lazarus moved to Peter Yarrow's cabin in Woodstock, N.Y., signing with the newly formed Bearsville Records (Warner Bros.) label, under the direction of Albert Grossman. Releases Lazarus released two albums, the self-titled Lazarus, and A Fool's Paradise on Bearsville Records, both produced by Peter Yarrow and Phil Ramone.  The band won a Clio Award for Best Commercial of the Year for the Life Savers campaign.