The Blues Image: 1960s American rock band from Tampa

Members and musical roles

The ensemble featured a handful of musicians who contributed distinct parts to the band's sound. Early lineups centered on guitar and vocals, twin percussion, and later additions expanded the rhythm section and keyboard textures. Core personnel included:

• Michael Pinera – singer and guitarist, a frontman and primary voice for several of the band’s songs.
• Manuel (Manny) Bertematti – one of the band’s drummers; part of the group’s driving rhythm.
• Joe Lala – percussionist and drummer who added congas and other rhythmic color.
• Malcolm Jones – bassist who joined as the band’s low‑end anchor.
• Frank "Skip" Konte – keyboardist who provided organ and piano textures when the group broadened its arrangements.

Musical style and recordings

The Blues Image blended blues‑influenced guitar work with rock songcraft and melodic hooks. Their repertoire included original material and songs designed for radio play. Their best‑known recording, "Ride, Captain, Ride," featured memorable melodic lines and a singable chorus that helped it cross over to a wider audience. The band recorded and toured during the late 1960s and early 1970s, releasing singles and performing on the regional and national circuit.

History and development

Beginning in Tampa in 1966, the group developed from a local club act into a band that attracted attention beyond Florida. Lineup changes and the addition of bass and keyboards expanded their sonic range. Their move into recording and national promotion culminated in the success of their signature single. Like many contemporary acts, the band experienced the shifting music industry of the era, and members later pursued other musical and session work.

Legacy and distinctions

Though the band did not sustain long‑term chart success, The Blues Image is often cited in retrospectives of late 1960s American rock as a representative example of a regional act that achieved brief national recognition. "Ride, Captain, Ride" remains the track most associated with the group and is frequently included on compilations and classic‑rock radio playlists. Several members went on to work with other artists or in studio and touring roles, extending their influence beyond the band's recording career.

Further information

For more on the band’s recordings, personnel and career, see contemporary music references and archival material, including press coverage and liner notes. Helpful starting points online and in reference collections include general band profiles, discography pages and musician biographies:

• General band profile
• Single and recording details
• Biographies of individual members
• Regional Tampa music scene
• Contemporary reviews and press
• Michael Pinera information
• Details on Joe Lala and percussion work
• Malcolm Jones and bass contributions
• Frank "Skip" Konte and keyboard role

Because their recorded output was limited compared with longer‑running bands, The Blues Image is frequently discussed in the context of one‑hit or short‑lived groups of the era—acts whose single major release left a durable imprint despite a relatively brief time in the spotlight.