The Life and Career of Mark Lindsay
Mark Lindsay (born March 9, 1942, in Eugene, Oregon; raised in Idaho) is the lead singer, saxophonist, and co-founder of Paul Revere & the Raiders — one of the most prominent American rock bands of the 1960s.
In 1960, he met Paul Revere Dick, and together they formed a band called The Downbeats, which was later renamed Paul Revere & the Raiders to appeal more to the public. Their first single, the instrumental “Like, Long Hair,” entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.
By the mid-1960s, the band stood out with their energetic performances, costumes inspired by the American Revolutionary era, and especially the striking image of Mark Lindsay with his signature ponytail. They became the first band to appear regularly on American television through shows such as Where the Action Is and Happening ’68.
Lindsay began his solo career in the late 1960s while still serving as the group’s frontman. In 1970, his solo hit “Arizona” reached number 10 on the Billboard chart, followed by “Silver Bird,” which climbed to number 25. Other notable tracks like “Miss America” and “And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” continued to highlight his distinctive voice.
In 1975, Lindsay left the group due to differences in musical direction. In the following years, he focused on producing and songwriting for other artists and made regular appearances on nostalgia performance tours. In 2019, director Quentin Tarantino featured four Paul Revere & the Raiders songs in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and credited Mark Lindsay individually on the film’s soundtrack album.