Kama Sutra: Stone Woman

For our final day looking at Kama Sutra Records, I’ve picked a non-charting, but important selection in the scheme of music history. Today’s Bubbling Under track was a 1971 recording by the significant, but often overlooked, power trio Dust. The band released two LPs for Kama Sutra before disbanding in 1972.

“Stone Woman” was the band’s first single as well as the lead cut from their self-titled debut LP. Neither the single nor the album charted. Although the band originally had three performing members, a keyboardist was added for their second LP “Hard Attack’ that featured the Frank Frazetta painting “Snow Giants” as its cover.

For the debut album, the group consisted of Richie Wise on guitar and vocals, Kenny Aaronson on bass, and drummer Marc Bell. The band also had a non-performing member, Kenny Kerner, who served as lyricist, producer, and manager. Kerner and Wise co-wrote “Stone Woman.” Aaronson, by the way, also played the fantastic slide guitar on “Stone Woman.”

Following the dismemberment of Dust, Kerner and Wise worked in production with Kiss. They were probably enlisted by Neil Bogart, who previously managed Buddah/Kama Sutra and had left to form the first of his two labels: Casablanca Records. Aaronson joined another Kama Sutra act, The Stories, who had a #1 recording with “Brother Louie” in 1973.

Additionally, Aaronson has been featured on various recordings and has toured with numerous acts since “Dust.” In the early to mid 80s, he received equal billing with Sammy Hagar, Neil Schon, and Michael Shrieve in the band HSAS. As for drummer Marc Bell, he took on the persona of Marky Ramone in the Ramones. As you see, there is life after Dust.