Sugarloaf’s Jerry Corbetta Passes

Corbetta died Sept. 16 from a rare form of dementia known as Pick’s Disease, reports The Denver Post.

Released in summer 1970, “Green Eyed Lady” underwent several edits to shorten its six minute-plus runtime to something more radio friendly.  The original version of the song, with its extended instrumental introduction along with keyboard and guitar solos, still captivates 46 years after its release.

Sugarloaf returned to the charts in 1974 with a single that depicted an artist trying to get record company execs interested in his band, saying at one point that the group “performs in the nude.”  Despite the musician’s attempts to gather support the answer is always the same – “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You.”

But Corbetta was hardly a stranger within music industry circles and was known for being able to connect friends with music bigwigs via a single phone call.

Following his years with Sugarloaf, Corbetta worked as the music director for Frankie Valli.  He also toured with the Classic Rock All Stars and co-wrote songs for Grace Jones and Peabo Bryson. 

Corbetta and Sugarloaf were inducted into the Colorado Music Hall Of Fame in 2012.