George Suranovich

George Paul Suranovich was born June 15, 1944 in Pittsburgh, PA,   He grew up in the mill town of Duquesne where he played in the high school marching band.  He began working professionally playing in the house band of the the White Elephant (later known as the Zodiac) club in Plum Boro. George gained experience backing many of national acts who appeared at the White Elephant including the Coasters and Bo Diddley.

From Vietnam to Sunset Strip

After graduating from high school he enlisted in the Army and played in the 266th Army Band.  They flew into combat areas in Viet Nam to entertain the troops.

Discharged from the Army George settled in Los Angeles seeking work as a drummer. He joined guitarist Noony Rickett's band playing clubs on the Sunset Strip. 

Love

Arthur Lee, lead singer and founder of the group Love, hired George Suranovich, guitarist Gary Ricket's band. bassist Frank Fayad away from Rickett's band.  George Suranovich recorded three studio album with Love "Four Sail" (1969), "Out Here (1969)", and "False Start" (1970). George recordings with in 1971 were released on the compilation album "Love Lost" in 2009.  He also appears on five other Love compilation albums.  Leaving Love Suranovich played briefly the band Blues Image.

During this period Suranovich on Ray Louis Kennedy's solo album on released Cream Records 1970.

The Eric Burdon Band

After ex-Animal Eric Burdon left the group War he founded with Eric Burdon Band with Suranovich on drums.  In 1971 the band recorded the blues classic "Guilty". Guilty was a collaboration of Eric Burdon and blues great Jimmy Witherspoon.  The album was recorded on location at San Quentin Prison.  Harpist Lee Oskar and Harold Brown, of War, played on 5 tracks.  The album was re-released as "Black & White Blues" in 1976. That album, released only in Europe, included George's composition "Wicked Wicked Man" 

While working on the album "Guilty", George met John Sterling (guitar) and Kim Kesterson (bass). Along with Kevin Kelly (keyboards), they formed Tovarich (Russian for "Comrades"). Besides backing Burdon and blues/jazz vocalist Jimmy Witherspoon, they became a popular attraction on the L.A. club circuit and recorded an album of their own (unreleased). Tovarich also provided the soundtrack to the movie "Revenge of the Cheerleaders".

Suranovich also recorded with the Eric Burdon Band on the 1974 "Sun Secrets" and album "Stop" in 1975. The band broke up when Burdon moved to Germany in 1977

Glen Campbell Tour

After leaving the Eric Burdon  Band, George worked with Tovarich and did studio session work.  In 1977 he backed up pop country singer Glen Campbell touring with him extensively and made several appearances on "The Tonight Show" and the "Merv Griffin Show".  He played drums on Campbell album album "God Must Have Blessed America" that was released in 1977.

Through the end of the 1970s and first two years on the 1980s George worked with a several bands. He briefly rejoined Love for a show at the Whiskey A-Go-Go.  Suranovich's recording of the show became the album "Love Live" that was released on Rhino Records in 1982.

Return to Pittsburgh

Suranovich moved back to Pittsburgh in 1981 to take care of his mother Anna.  He found work teaching drum lessons at two music stores during the day.  At nights he played with R&B, blues, and Jazz bands.  He was often hired to back up jazz performers appearing in Pittsburgh includubg Diane Schurr, "Groove" Holmes, and Mose Allison. 

While playing a Sunday night gig in 1990 George  experienced chest pains and was rushed to a hospital. A few days later\ George received bypass surgery.  But during his recovery he suffered a massive heart attack and died. 

A few weeks after his death, a memorial concert was held at the Graffiti club in Pittsburgh. Saxophonist Robbie Klein, organized the concert to honor Suranovich's musical legacy and to raise money to help with the burial expenses.  Pure Gold, Trio Grande, and the Granati Brothers performed before a packed house.

Jazz saxophonist dedicated his 1990 album "Outside, Inside" to the memory of George Suranovich. 

Love