Jim Pons (born March 14, 1943) is an American bassist, author, singer, and video director who most notably played for the Leaves (1964–1967), the Turtles (1967–1970), and the Mothers of Invention (1970–1971), and Flo & Eddie (1971-1973).[1]
After leaving the music scene in 1973, he worked as a video director for the New York Jets, and briefly the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pons designed the Jets team logo that was used from 1978 to 1997.
In 1964, he formed the garage rock band The Leaves. The band was founded by Pons and guitarist Robert Lee Reiner, who were Fraternity students at Cal State Northridge (then known as San Fernando Valley State College).
The Leaves in 1966. (Pons top left)
They were originally called The Rockwells, prior to changing their names to The Leaves. They got the name Leaves when one of the members greeted another by saying “What’s happening?”, and the other responding with “The Leaves are happening”.[2]
The Leaves are noted for recording an early version of the song "Hey Joe", which they recorded along with their debut album in 1966. Their version of Hey Joe was #1 on the Los Angeles stations and peaked at #31 on the Billboard pop charts in May 1966.[3] Pons stayed in the Leaves until 1967.
The Turtles
Pons joined The Turtles shortly after the Leaves. He played bass on their hit songs She'd Rather Be With Me, Elenore, She's My Girl, and You Showed Me. As a member of the Turtles, he appeared on television on both of their appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and American Bandstand.[citation needed] Pons continued to tour with the Turtles until they split in 1970.
Since the 2010s, he has occasionally guest-starred with The Turtles alongside Flo & Eddie.[citation needed]
In 1973 Pons left the music industry to become the film and video director for the New York Jetsfootball team; he designed the team's 1978–97 team logo.[5][6] He held this position until around the year 2000.[7]
Pons and his family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 2005, where he did game day video for the Jacksonville Jaguars, until he retired.
Personal life
Pons plays a U-bass in a bluegrass band called Lonesome Ride in Jacksonville.[citation needed]
Book
In 2017, Pons wrote an autobiography titled Hard Core Love: Sex, Football and Rock and Roll in the Kingdom of God which won the 2017 Florida Writers Association Book of the Year award.[8] The book describes his spiritual journey during his careers in the music and sports industries.
