James Lowe, who helmed the ’60s psychedelic rock outfit The Electric Prunes, died May 22 of natural causes, according to his family. He was 82 years old.
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Formed in 1965 Los Angeles, The Electric Prunes found success with their Top 20 hit “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night.)” They released five studio albums before disbanding in 1970, although Lowe would eventually revive the band nearly three decades later.
Lowe is survived by Pamela, his wife of 62 years, and their three children, Lisa, Cameron, and Skylar.
“James left this world peacefully — his heart giving one final electric beat, surrounded by the loving embrace of his family and enveloped by the sounds of his favorite music,” Lowe’s family said in a statement to Variety.
The musician and producer “was a creative force, a rock star without pretense, and someone who lived and loved fully,” his family said.
James Lowe Was the Only Remaining Original Member of the Electric Prunes
Born in San Luis Obispo, California, James Lowe formed a garage band called the Sanctions in 1965 with Mark Tulin, Ken Williams, Michael “Quint” Weakley, and other short-term members. After a brief stint as Jim and the Lords, the band eventually adopted The Electric Prunes moniker. They settled on that name because “it meant nothing and was hard to forget once you heard it,” Lowe told It’s Psychedelic Baby magazine in 2011.
[RELATED: Smashing Pumpkins Seek New Drummer, Attach Themselves to Electric Prunes]
Signing with Reprise Records in 1966, The Electric Prunes scored their first hit the next year with “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” from their self-titled debut.
“What did it feel like? It felt like… I’ll tell you. I’ve often said this, when we heard it on the radio the first time we stopped the car and everybody got out and started punching each other,” Lowe said in a 2024 interview with Psychedelic Scene.
After The Electric Prunes disbanded in 1970, Lowe briefly worked as a recording engineer before deciding to leave music altogether. Establishing a TV production company, he produced and directed commercials, Disney children’s shows, and corporate presentations.
Amid renewed interest, the band reunited in 1999, recording four additional albums.
Featured image by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
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