Editing Blue Cheer (section)

==History==
===Main career (1966–1971)===
Blue Cheer were formed in 1966 by [[Dickie Peterson]]. Peterson had previously been with the [[Davis, California|Davis]]-based band [[the Oxford Circle]] along with future Blue Cheer members [[Paul Whaley]] and [[Gary Lee Yoder]].  The original Blue Cheer personnel were singer/bassist Peterson, guitarist [[Leigh Stephens]] and [[Eric Albronda]] as drummer.  Albronda was later replaced by Whaley, who was joined by Peterson's brother Jerre (guitar), [[V. Vale|Vale Hamanaka]] (keyboards), and Jere Whiting (vocals, harmonica). Albronda continued his association with Blue Cheer as a member of Blue Cheer management, as well as being the producer or co-producer of five Blue Cheer albums.<ref>''Outsideinside'', ''Blue Cheer'', ''The Original Human Being'', ''OH! Pleasant Hope'' and ''The Beast Is Back''.  See [http://www.vickibrennerent.com/bluecheer/ericalbronda.htm Profile of Eric Albronda]; Vickibrennerent.com.</ref>

The band was managed by Allen "Gut" Terk, a former member of the [[Hells Angels]].<ref name=RS_bluecheer/> Early on, it was decided that the line-up should be trimmed down.  It has been said that Blue Cheer decided to adopt a [[power trio]] configuration after seeing [[Jimi Hendrix]] perform at the [[Monterey Pop Festival]].<ref>See [https://www.brautigan.net/chronology1960.html Portrait of Vale Hamanaka/V. Vale] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607223812/https://www.brautigan.net/chronology1960.html |date=June 7, 2016 }}; Brautigan.net.</ref> Hamanaka and Whiting were asked to leave. Jerre Peterson did not want to remain in the group without them, so he departed as well, leaving Peterson, Stephens and Whaley as a trio.

Their first hit was a [[cover version]] of [[Eddie Cochran]]'s  "[[Summertime Blues]]"  from their debut album ''[[Vincebus Eruptum]]'' (1968).<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]] |editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]] |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |date=1999 |edition=First |isbn=0-7535-0257-7 |pages=70/1}}</ref> The single peaked at No.&nbsp;14 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, their only such hit, and the album peaked at No.&nbsp;11 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. In Canada, the song peaked at No. 3 on the [[RPM (magazine)|RPM Magazine]] chart.

The "Summertime Blues" single was backed with Dickie Peterson's original song "Out Of Focus". Peterson also contributed to the album the eight-minute "Doctor Please" and "Second Time Around", which features Paul Whaley's frantic drum solo. Filling out the record, the band cranked out blues covers "[[Rock Me Baby (song)|Rock Me Baby]]" (by [[B.B. King]]) and "[[Parchman Farm (song)|Parchman Farm]]" ([[Mose Allison]], but retitled "Parchment Farm").<ref name="LarkinHR"/>
[[File:Just a Little Bit - ad 1968.jpg|thumb|''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' advertisement, June 15, 1968]] 

The group underwent several personnel changes, the first occurring after the 1968 release of ''[[Outsideinside]]'' after Leigh Stephens – who never used drugs – was asked to leave the band after criticizing his bandmates' behaviour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Veteran guitarist Leigh Stephens talks about Blue Cheer, Rock n' Roll culture and Haight-Ashbury era |first=Michalis |last=Limnios |date=January 3, 2014 |url= https://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/veteran-guitarist-leigh-stephens-talks-about-blue-cheer-rock-n |work=Blues.Gr |access-date=August 28, 2023}}</ref>  He was replaced by [[Randy Holden]], formerly of Los Angeles [[garage rock]] band [[The Other Half (band)|the Other Half]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/> On 1969's ''[[New! Improved!]]'' there were different guitarists on side 1 and side 2 (Randy Holden and Bruce Stephens) due to Holden's unanticipated departure from the band. Following Holden's departure the band's line-up initially consisted of Dickie Peterson (bass), Tom Weisser (guitar), and Mitch Mitchell (drums), before Whaley returned and Bruce Stephens joined the band. Later, [[Ethan James (producer)|Ralph Burns Kellogg]] joined the band on keyboards.<ref>Both Stephens and Kellogg had previously worked together in The Emeralds, a well-known northern California backing band in the 1960s.  The Emeralds had also toured with The [[The Coasters|Coasters]], [[The Olympics (band)|The Olympics]], [[The Larks]], [[Bob & Earl]], [[Chuck Berry]], [[Junior Walker]], [[Ray Peterson]], and also opened shows for [[The Kinks]], [[The Beach Boys]], [[The Animals]], [[Chad & Jeremy]] and [[Paul Revere & the Raiders]], among others.  By the time Stephens and Kellogg were asked to join Blue Cheer, both had co-founded Mint Tattoo, which had recorded one album engineered by [[Phil Ramone]] and produced by [[James William Guercio]].  While in Mint Tattoo, Stephens and Kellogg had opened shows for [[Jeff Beck]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Ten Years After]], [[James Cotton]] and [[Janis Joplin]].  Bruce Stephens later played with Pilot (not the same band that had a hit with "It's Magic"), one of Leigh Stephen's (no relation) post-Blue Cheer projects.  One song from this period, "Fillmore Shuffle" was later recorded by [[Sammy Hagar]] on his second solo album, ''[[Sammy Hagar (album)|Sammy Hagar]]'' (1977).  See [http://cdbaby.com/cd/brucestephens Profile of Bruce Stephens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205001829/http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brucestephens |date=February 5, 2012 }}; Rearwindowmusic.com, via Cdbaby.com</ref> Blue Cheer's style now changed to a more commercial hard rock sound à la [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]] or [[Iron Butterfly]].  By the fourth album, ''[[Blue Cheer (album)|Blue Cheer]]'',<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Paul Whaley had left the band and had been replaced by Norman Mayell, and following the release of the fourth album Bruce Stephens also left the band<ref>Bruce Stephens continued in music, but with a much lower profile.  In early 2009, he released ''Saturday Freedom'' (Rear Window Records), being a compilation of his compositions over the past three decades. "Rendezvous", a song co-written by Stephens, was included in ''The Cage'', the 1982 album by [[Tygers of Pan Tang]].  Also in 1982, Stephens had released his first solo album, ''Watch That First Step'', which featured supporting performances by [[Steve Miller Band|Lonnie Turner]], [[Procol Harum|B.J. Wilson]] and [[Norton Buffalo]], among others.  Stephens has the distinction of being, at the age of sixteen, the youngest member in the history of the Musicians' Union of Sacramento, California. See [http://cdbaby.com/cd/brucestephens Profile of Bruce Stephens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205001829/http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brucestephens |date=February 5, 2012 }}; Rearwindowmusic.com, via Cdbaby.com.</ref> and was succeeded by Gary Lee Yoder who helped complete the album.

According to Peterson, the group's lifestyle during this period caused problems with the music industry and press. Peterson said the group was outraged by the [[Vietnam War]] and society in general.<ref name=Petersondead/>

The new line-up of Peterson, Kellogg, Mayell and Yoder in 1970 saw the release of ''[[The Original Human Being]]'', followed by 1971's ''[[Oh! Pleasant Hope]]''.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> When the latter album failed to dent the sales charts, Blue Cheer temporarily split up in 1971.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>

===1974–1975 and 1978–1979 reunions===

In 1974, Blue Cheer reformed under the name “Peterbilt,” with Dickie Peterson and brother Jerre Peterson as founding members and three guitars in the band's lineup. Peterbilt played club appearances in Sacramento January 10–12.<ref name="Sac_Bee_1-9-1974">{{cite journal |author1=<!--not stated--> |title=Rock Group Is To Play Dates |journal=Sacramento Bee |date=9 January 1974 |volume=232 |issue=38343 |page=H19 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/620270058/?terms=%22Blue%20Cheer%22&match=1 |access-date=11 July 2023 |publisher=The McClatchy Company |location=Sacramento, CA|url-access=subscription }}</ref> By May of that year, they had switched the name back to "Blue Cheer" and the Petersons were co-writing new songs and slowly attracting more bookings.<ref name="Sac_Bee_5-5-1974">{{cite journal |last=Leon |first=Vicki |title=Rock Stars Are Rising Again After Bad Trip With Heroin |journal=Sacramento Bee |date=5 May 1974 |volume=233 |issue=38459 |page=A3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/620624198/?terms=%22Blue%20Cheer%22&match=1 |access-date=11 July 2023 |publisher=The McClatchy Company |location=Sacramento, CA|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The band played an outdoor festival in San Juan Capistrano July 5.<ref name="Daily_Sun_Post_7-8-1974">{{cite journal |author1=<!--not stated--> |title=SJC Rock Event Draws Thousands |journal=The Daily Sun-Post |date=8 July 1974 |volume=36 |issue=129 |page=2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/923144853/?terms=Blue%20Cheer&match=1 |access-date=11 July 2023 |publisher=Media News Group |location=San Clemente, CA |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In December 1974, Blue Cheer played a Christmas festival at [[Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)|The Greek Theatre]] in Los Angeles on December 22 alongside [[Van Halen]], [[Judee Sill]],  [[The Coasters]] and [[Art Laboe|Art Laboe's]] Band,<ref name="SP_News-Pilot_12-18-1974">{{cite journal |author1=<!--not stated--> |title=It's Greek Festival |journal=San Pedro News-Pilot |date=18 December 1974 |volume=45 |issue=241 |page=C10 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/606396047/?terms=Blue%20Cheer&match=1 |access-date=11 July 2023 |publisher=The Copley Press Inc |location=San Pedro, CA |url-access=subscription }}</ref> followed by a three-night run of appearances at [[The Whisky a Go Go]] from December 23 to December 25.<ref name="LA_Times_12-25-1974">{{cite journal |last1=Cromelin |first1=Richard |title=Muted Blast From the Musty Past |journal=Los Angeles Times |date=25 December 1974 |volume=CXIV |page=Part IV, p. 28 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/385621692/?terms=Blue%20Cheer&match=1 |access-date=11 July 2023 |location=Los Angeles |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In 1975, [[Kim Fowley]] produced an album for Blue Cheer,<ref name="KF_Goldmine_11-26-1993_RBP">{{cite news |last1=Roeser |first1=Steve |title=Kim Fowley: Living and Dying in L.A. |url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/kim-fowley-living-and-dying-in-la |access-date=11 July 2023 |work=Goldmine |publisher=Project M Media |date=26 November 1993 |location=New York |format=online}}</ref> with sometime [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]] member [[Nick St. Nicholas]] co-producing. The lineup included the Peterson brothers on bass and guitar, along with ex-[[Hollywood Stars (band)|Hollywood Stars]] members Ruben De Fuentes on guitar<ref name="HWS_Hustle_RDF_10-29-2019">{{Cite AV media notes |title=''The Hustle, Episode 234 - Ruben De Fuentes of The Hollywood Stars'' |last=De Fuentes |first=Ruben |author-link=Ruben De Fuentes |others=Jon Lamoreaux |url=https://thehustle.podbean.com/e/episode-234-ruben-de-fuentes-of-the-hollywood-stars/ |date=29 Oct 2019 |access-date=3 October 2023 |at=42:06–42:34 |type=audio podcast |location=Denver, CO }}</ref> and Terry Rae on drums.<ref name="discogs_BC_Live_Unreleased_Quote">{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1247811-Blue-Cheer-Live-Unreleased-6874 |title= Blue Cheer – Live & Unreleased '68/'74|author=Groovetguy (assumed to be Terry Rae)  |website=Discogs |at=Reviews section |date= 27 March 2020 |access-date=11 July 2023 |quote= Terry Rae played drums on tracks 4 to 9. Fighting Star & Adventures recorded at Gold Star studios. }}</ref> Although the album was never released,<ref name=KF_Goldmine_11-26-1993_RBP /> six tracks from this period were released on the Captain Trip Records album ''Live and Unreleased '68/'74'' (1996).<ref name="Live_Unreleased_tray_card">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Live and Unreleased '68/'74 |others=Blue Cheer |date=1996 |access-date=11 July 2023 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1247811-Blue-Cheer-Live-Unreleased-6874/image/SW1hZ2U6MjYwOTEwOTE= |at=Tray card |type=compact disc |publisher=Captain Trip Records |id=CTCD-023 |location=Tokyo}}</ref>

Dickie Peterson left the band in 1975 with Nick St. Nicholas replacing him on bass/vocals, leaving the band with no original members for some shows.<ref name="NStN_LAMA">{{cite web |title=Nick St. Nickolas. 1997 Performer – 7th annual LA Music Awards |url=http://www.lamusicawards.com/act/nick-st-nicholas/ |website=The New Los Angeles Music Awards |publisher=LA Music Awards |access-date=11 July 2023 |date=2015}}</ref><ref name="UGtr_BC">{{cite web |author1=David Slavković |title=Forgotten Pioneers of Heavy Metal: Blue Cheer |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/forgotten_pioneers_of_heavy_metal_blue_cheer-70823 |website=Ultimate-Guitar.com |access-date=11 July 2023 |date=8 Jan 2018}}</ref> The band played Laguna Beach Winter Festival February 15 of that year.<ref name="LA_Times_2-14-1975">{{cite journal |author1=<!--not stated--> |title=What's Doing in Orange County |journal=Los Angeles Times |date=14 February 1975 |volume=CXIV |page=Part IV, p. 15 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/385621692/?terms=Blue%20Cheer&match=1 |access-date=11 July 2023 |location=Los Angeles |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In 1978, Dickie Peterson began rehearsing with Davis-based guitarist Tony Rainier, a younger brother of Peterson's high school friend (and sometime Blue Cheer soundman and bodyguard) Larry Rainier. Michael Fleck was auditioned as drummer. The reformed Blue Cheer recorded an album with Jim Keylor at Army Street Studios.<ref name="BC_7_notes">{{Cite AV media notes |title =Blue Cheer 7 |last = Albronda |first= Eric |others=Blue Cheer |date=2012 |access-date=11 July 2023 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/19639324-Blue-Cheer-7/image/SW1hZ2U6NjM0OTM2MTU= |at=Inner gatefold |type=Vinyl LP |publisher=ShroomAngel Records |id= SR-LP0002 |location= Houston }}</ref> The album was initially unreleased,<ref name="SoT_RTA_BC">{{cite AV media |people = Pete Pardo |title = Ranking the Studio Albums: Blue Cheer |medium = video |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP3zMbDQMtk&t=873s |access-date = 11 July 2023 |time = 14:33–14:57 |location = Poughkeepsie, NY | publisher = Sea of Tranquility }}</ref> but received an official release in 2012 by ShroomAngel Records as ''Blue Cheer 7.''<ref name=BC_7_notes /> The band embarked on a US tour in 1978–1979 with setlists that featured tracks from the first two Blue Cheer albums, and then returned to a period of inactivity after the tour completed.<ref name= UGtr_BC />

===Further reconfigurations, relocation to Germany, second and third extended hiatus (1980s–1998)===
Blue Cheer was once again inactive in the early 1980s. There was another attempt to reunite in 1983, but that fell through. In 1984, Peterson had better luck when he returned with Whaley and Rainier as Blue Cheer and a brand new album ''[[The Beast Is Back]]'', which was released on the New York label [[Megaforce Records]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Whaley left again in 1985 as drummer Brent Harknett took over, only to be succeeded by Billy Carmassi in 1987. That same year, Dickie led yet another new lineup of the Cheer that had Ruben De Fuentes back on guitar and Eric Davis on drums. In 1988, the line-up changed once again, being now composed of Dickie Peterson (bass), with [[Duck MacDonald|Andrew "Duck" MacDonald]] (guitar) and Dave Salce (drums).

From 1989 to 1993, Blue Cheer toured mainly in Europe. During this time, they played with classic rock acts as well as then-up-and-coming bands: [[Mountain (band)|Mountain]], [[Outlaws (band)|Outlaws]], [[Thunder (band)|Thunder]], [[The Groundhogs]], [[Ten Years After]], [[Mucky Pup]], Biohazard and others.

1989 saw the release of Blue Cheer's first official live album, ''Blitzkrieg over Nüremberg''. This album was recorded during Blue Cheer's first European tour in decades.

1990 saw the release of the ''[[Highlights and Lowlives]]'' studio album,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> composed of blues-based [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and one ballad.  The album was co-produced by notable grunge producer [[Jack Endino]] and producer Roland Hofmann. The line-up was Peterson, Whaley on drums and MacDonald on guitars.<ref>[http://www.deaddisc.com/ot/Highlights_And_Low_Lives.htm Credits: ''Highlights and Lowlives'']; Deaddisc.com.</ref>

Blue Cheer followed up ''Highlights and Lowlives'' with the much heavier ''Dining with the Sharks''. Duck MacDonald was replaced by German ex-Monsters<ref>A band that continues to remain active.  See [http://www.voodoorhythm.com/Monsters.html Monsters website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205011228/http://www.voodoorhythm.com/Monsters.html |date=December 5, 2008 }}.</ref> guitar player Dieter Saller in 1990. Also featured is a special guest appearance by [[The Groundhogs|Groundhogs]] guitarist [[Tony McPhee]]. The album was co-produced by Roland Hofmann and Blue Cheer.<ref>[http://www.deaddisc.com/ot/Dining_With_The_Sharks.htm Credits: ''Dining With The Sharks'']; Deaddisc.com.</ref> [[Gary Holland]] (ex-[[Dokken]]/[[Great White]]/Britton replaced Whaley on drums in 1993.

In the early 1990s, Peterson and Whaley re-located to Germany. In 1992, Peterson recorded his first solo album, ''Child of the Darkness'', in Cologne with a band named "The Scrap Yard". The album appeared five years later in Japan on [[Captain Trip Records]]. After Peterson came back to the U.S. in 1994, Blue Cheer was dormant from 1994 to 1999.

===The return of Blue Cheer (1999–2009)===
In 1999, Peterson and Whaley got together with guitarist MacDonald to resume touring as Blue Cheer. This band configuration remained largely constant from 1999 until Peterson's death in 2009.

In 2000, Blue Cheer was the subject of a tribute album, ''Blue Explosion – A Tribute to Blue Cheer'', featuring such bands as [[Pentagram (band)|Pentagram]], [[Internal Void]], Hogwash and [[Thumlock]].

Peterson and Leigh Stephens were together once again in Blue Cheer with drummer [[Prairie Prince]] at the [[Chet Helms|Chet Helms Memorial Tribal Stomp]] in San Francisco's [[Golden Gate Park]] on October 29, 2005, and their lively performance drew old rockers like [[Paul Kantner]] and others from backstage to observe. They did some recordings in [[Virginia]] in Winter 2005 with [[Joe Hasselvander]] of [[Raven (band)|Raven]] and [[Pentagram (band)|Pentagram]] on drums, due to Paul Whaley choosing to remain in Germany. While Hasselvander played on the entire album, his contribution was reduced to drums on five songs, with Paul Whaley re-recording the drum parts on the balance of the album.  This was because Whaley was set to rejoin the band and it was felt that he should contribute to the album, prior to touring.  The resulting CD, ''[[What Doesn't Kill You... (Blue Cheer album)|What Doesn't Kill You...]]'', released in 2007, features contributions from both Whaley and Hasselvander as a consequence.<ref>[http://www.bluecheer.us/archive/andrewmacdonald_files/duck/DUCK.htm Duck MacDonald Autobiography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725195648/http://www.bluecheer.us/archive/andrewmacdonald_files/duck/DUCK.htm |date=July 25, 2011 }} at Bluecheer.us.</ref>

Blue Cheer's video for "[[Summertime Blues]]" made an appearance in 2005 documentary ''[[Metal: A Headbanger's Journey]]'', where [[Geddy Lee]] of [[Rush (band)|Rush]] referred to the group as one of the first heavy metal bands.

===Death of Peterson and disbandment (2009)===
Peterson died on October 12, 2009, in Germany from [[prostate cancer]].<ref name="inlog.org">[http://inlog.org/2009/10/12/rip-richard-dickie-peterson-1948-2009/ R.I.P. Richard ‘Dickie’ Peterson (Blue Cheer) (1948–2009)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015000042/http://inlog.org/2009/10/12/rip-richard-dickie-peterson-1948-2009/ |date=October 15, 2009 }}; Inlog.org.</ref> Peterson was actually 63 at the time of his death despite some initial confusion, as exemplified here, immediately following the announcement of his death.<ref name = Petersondead>[http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-dickie-peterson17-2009oct17,0,5352275.story Dickie Peterson dies at 63; bassist and lead singer for the power trio Blue Cheer] ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', October 17, 2009; ''Los Angeles Times''.</ref> After Peterson's death, long-time Blue Cheer guitarist Andrew MacDonald wrote on the group's website that "Blue Cheer is done. Out of respect for Dickie, Blue Cheer [will] never become a viable touring band again." Drummer Paul Whaley died of heart failure in January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/paul-whaley-drummer-who-invented-heavy-metal-with-blue-cheer-dies-at-72 |title=Paul Whaley, drummer who pioneered heavy metal with Blue Cheer, dies at 72 |last1=January 29 |first1=Aidin Vaziri |last2=February 1 |first2=2019 Updated |website=Datebook {{!}} San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

===Dispute over ownership of band name===
In recent years, a dispute has arisen as to ownership of the Blue Cheer band name. It was reported that, as of the early 2000s (decade), former Blue Cheer guitarist [[Randy Holden]], assisted by Randy Pratt of The Lizards band, had trademarked the Blue Cheer band name. Holden's association with Blue Cheer was quite brief; his only recorded output with the band is three tracks on ''[[New! Improved!]]'' from 1969.<ref>Though Paul Whaley played drums on Holden's 1996 release (recorded in 1993), ''[[Guitar God]]''.  The album was originally on [http://www.captaintrip.co.jp/egs.html Captain Trip Records] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014170738/http://www.captaintrip.co.jp/egs.html |date=October 14, 2008 }}, a Japanese label which has also released Dickie Peterson's two solo records.</ref> The matter had upset Dickie Peterson, given his position as a co-founder of the band and the only continuing member since its inception, but does not appear to have been resolved.<ref>[http://rnruniverse.proboards21.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=qas&thread=10844&page=1 Interview with Dickie Peterson] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515235118/http://rnruniverse.proboards21.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=qas&thread=10844&page=1 |date=May 15, 2013 }} by Nightwatcher for Rock N Roll Universe, February 2008.</ref>

According to Randy Pratt, this report is not entirely accurate.  Pratt provides uncited commentary<ref>By way of edits to the Blue Cheer Wikipedia page as "Whistleinthewind".</ref> as follows:

{{blockquote|The Blue Cheer band name was trademarked in 2000 by fan and professional musician Randy Pratt.  Pratt put the trademark in former Blue Cheer guitarist [[Randy Holden]]'s possession after Dickie Peterson said he was finished with Blue Cheer and wanted nothing to do with it ever again, with his sole future interest in his new band, 'Mother Ocean.<ref>Dickie Peterson and Mother Ocean, which included former Blue Cheer guitarist Tony Rainier, along with Peterson's brother Jerre, were playing in Germany in 2001 and 2002.  See [http://klubder40.de/projekte/2001_dickiepeterson.php Notice of 2001 performance] and [http://klubder40.de/projekte/2002_dickiepeterson.php Notice of 2002 performance]; www.klubder40.de.  It is unclear whether this was a side project or principal activity of Peterson, particularly since there were no Blue Cheer recordings released during this period and the extent of Blue Cheer's touring activity is uncertain.  The 2002 German performances were in March; Jerre Peterson died in August of that same year. See [http://www.bluecheer.us/archive/bluecheernews01.htm Blue Cheer News] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725195439/http://www.bluecheer.us/archive/bluecheernews01.htm |date=25 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>Neither Pratt nor Holden has given any public commentary as to reasons or motivations for trademarking the band name. Pratt's views have instead been incorporated as edits to the Blue Cheer Wikipedia page, without separate public sourcing of same.  No separately sourced comments of Holden have been incorporated.</ref>}}