Five facts about Blood, Sweat & Tears

Think you know everything about the band Blood, Sweat & Tears? Here’s are five pieces of the band’s history that you might not know.

1. Al Kooper was in the band

The original band, formed in 1967, included Al Kooper (who played organ on Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” produced Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first album, among other achievements) and future trumpet great Randy Brecker. Kooper’s most famous song, “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know,” premiered on Blood, Sweat & Tears’ first album, “Child is Father to the Man,” but became a pop standard after Donny Hathaway recorded it in 1973. Kooper got booted from the band, because they resented his controlling tendencies and they wanted a stronger vocalist.

2. The Chicago connection

The producer of Blood, Sweat & Tears’ 1968 self-titled breakthrough sophomore album, James William Guercio, also produced the debut album of Chicago Transit Authority, later and better know as Chicago, and became that band’s manager.

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3. Almost Chilton, nearly Nyro

Classic-era vocalist David Clayton-Thomas was chosen after the band had considered asking Alex Chilton (Box Tops and, later Big Star) and singer-songwriter Laura Nyro. The band recorded Nyro’s song “And When I Die” on the group’s second album, with Clayton-Thomas on vocals. Clayton-Thomas wrote the band’s hit, “Spinning Wheel.” Thomas left the band in 1972, returned in 1974, and left again in 1981. He would rejoin the group once more in 1984 and stay with the group until 2004.

4. Be aware of the Ides of March

Many people remember the 1970 hit “Vehicle,” being by Blood, Sweat & Tears. That song was actually by the very similar-sounding band Ides of March.

5. The band is now fronted by an "American Idol" contestant

Current Blood, Sweat & Tears vocalist Bo Bice was a finalist on the fourth season of "American Idol," losing to Carrie Underwood. He chose Blood, Sweat & Tears' “Spinning Wheel” as one of his songs when given “Hits of the ‘60s” as a category. He also recorded a version of “Vehicle” for a single release in 2005.

Blood, Sweat & Tears with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 6

Where: Civic Coliseum

Tickets: $36-$92, www.knoxvillecoliseum.com