Jesse Colin Young, the renowned singer and frontman of the folk-rock band The Youngbloods, died at his home in Aiken, South Carolina, on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the age of 83.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the cause of death was complications of cardiac, atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with the manner of death being natural.
Young’s PR team announced his passing in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that we announce music legend Jesse Colin Young, who left a unique mark on the intersecting worlds of folk, blues, jazz, country, and rock & roll, died in his home in Aiken, South Carolina yesterday afternoon.”
Born Perry Miller on November 22, 1941, in Queens, New York City, Young was best known for his vocals on the Youngbloods’ hit “Get Together,” which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and became an anthem for peace and brotherhood during the turbulent 1960s. Although he didn’t write “Get Together,” Young composed many other hits for the band, including “Darkness, Darkness,” “Sunlight,” and “Ride the Wind.”
The statement from Young’s team highlighted his contribution to the counterculture movement: “As the frontman of The Youngbloods, he immortalized the ideals of the Woodstock generation with ‘Get Together,’ an international hit that called for peace and brotherhood during the turbulent 1960s.”
Young co-founded The Youngbloods in 1965 with Jerry Corbitt, Lowell “Banana” Levinger, and Joe Bauer. The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 1967, featuring “Get Together.” The song gained wider popularity when it was used in a public service announcement, eventually reaching the top 5 on the charts. The band’s music became a staple at Greenwich Village’s Cafe Au Go Go.
After The Youngbloods disbanded in 1972, Young embarked on a successful solo career, releasing a string of albums under his own name. His albums “Light Shine” and “Songbird” both broke Billboard’s Top 40. Throughout his career, Young blended various genres including folk, jazz, blues, country, and rock and roll.
Young was also known for his environmental activism. His team noted that he was “a longtime social/environmental activist, who made modern music that’s every bit as vital as his work during the counterculture era.” He participated in the 1979 No Nukes protest concert, demonstrating his commitment to social causes.
The impact of Young’s music extended beyond his own performances. The Youngbloods were popular on FM stations during their heyday, and their songs were covered by major artists. Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant’s version of “Darkness, Darkness” earned a Grammy nomination in 2002.
In a past interview about “Get Together,” Young expressed his appreciation for the song, saying “the lyrics are just to die for,” and that when performing it, the anthem “gives me a thrill to play it.”
Young faced health challenges later in life, including a diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease in 2012, which temporarily forced him to stop performing. However, he eventually found treatment that allowed him to become symptom-free and return to the stage in 2016. His resilience enabled him to continue his musical journey well into his later years.
In 2019, Young released the album “Dreamers,” which featured his son, Tristan Young, on bass guitar. He followed this with “Highway Troubadour” in 2020. His final years were productive – he had completed his autobiography, was working on a children’s book, and had finished recording a new song for Future Youth Records shortly before his death.
Young co-founded Ridgetop Music with his wife Connie in 1993, providing a platform to release his own music and reissue his earlier work. He also hosted a podcast in his later years, continuing to connect with fans through various media.
Throughout his six-decade career, Young remained true to his musical vision, combining socially conscious lyrics with exceptional guitar skills and warm vocals. His contributions to American music helped pioneer the Americana genre and influenced generations of musicians.
Young is survived by his wife and manager, Connie Darden-Young, and his four children. His legacy lives on through his extensive catalog of recordings and the enduring appeal of his most famous songs, especially “Get Together,” which continues to resonate with its message of peace and unity.
