The Youngbloods were an American folk-rock band that emerged from New York City's Greenwich Village folk scene in the mid 1960s. Known for their distinctive blend of folk, blues, rock, country, and psychedelic influences, the group became closely associated with the idealism and counterculture of the 1960s. Although they never became one of the era's biggest commercial bands, their recording of “Get Together” became an enduring anthem of peace, love, and unity. The group grew out of the partnership between singer and songwriter Jesse Colin Young and guitarist Jerry Corbitt. Young, who had already released two solo albums, met Corbitt while both were involved in the folk music scene. The pair began performing together in 1965 and eventually expanded the group with guitarist and keyboard player Lowell “Banana” Levinger and drummer Joe Bauer. The quartet took the name The Youngbloods from the title of one of Young's earlier solo albums. The Youngbloods quickly became a popular attraction in Greenwich Village. They performed at the Cafe Au Go Go and other clubs before signing with RCA Victor. Their early music combined the intimacy of folk music with a more adventurous rock sound. Their 1966 single, “Grizzly Bear”, gave the band its first taste of national attention. Their breakthrough came with the song “Get Together”, written by songwriter Chet Powers, who also performed under the name Dino Valenti. The Youngbloods recorded the song for their 1967 debut album. Its gentle vocals, atmospheric arrangement, and message of peace and brotherhood captured the mood of the era. The original 1967 single did not reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the song gained new life two years later after being used in a public service campaign. The 1969 re-release climbed to the Top 10. The success of “Get Together” helped establish The Youngbloods as one of the musical voices of the Woodstock generation. Their music, however, went beyond the simple folk-rock formula suggested by their biggest hit. Albums such as “Earth Music” (1967) and “Elephant Mountain” (1969) demonstrated the group's interest in blues, jazz, country, psychedelic rock, and experimental arrangements. During the recording of “Elephant Mountain”, Jerry Corbitt left the band. Jesse Colin Young subsequently became the group's principal songwriter and creative leader. He wrote songs including “Darkness, Darkness” and “Sunlight”, while the band continued developing a more sophisticated and eclectic sound. “Darkness, Darkness” became one of the group's most respected recordings and was later covered by other artists including Robert Plant. The Youngbloods eventually moved from New York to West Marin in Northern California, where they became part of the region's growing musical community. The California environment influenced the band's music and lifestyle, connecting them with the broader countercultural world that was developing around San Francisco. After several more years of recording and touring, The Youngbloods disbanded in 1972. The members subsequently pursued different musical paths. Jesse Colin Young established a successful solo career, while Lowell Levinger continued working as a multi-instrumentalist and collaborator with numerous musicians. Although The Youngbloods had relatively few major commercial hits, their cultural impact proved much larger than their chart history suggests. “Get Together” became permanently associated with the ideals of the 1960s and has continued to appear in films, television programs, radio, and political and social contexts. Its central message of choosing love over fear has allowed the song to remain relevant long after the era in which it was recorded.