Only album from St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) . One summer day in 1976 , students of the University of South Florida witnessed a curious spectacle. Nobody famous rock band presented to the audience multimedia show "Babylon", telling us about the contacts with extraterrestrial civilizations . The authors of the project were five students : Rhode Sacco aka Dorokkas (if read backwards ) , Rick Leonard, Gary Chambers , Rodney Best and J. David Boyko. In fact, with this memorable concert began a brief history of one of the most underrated progressive groups 70s - "Babylon". School years , inspired by the work of "Genesis" and "Gentle Giant", "ELP" and "Yes", the participants "Babylon" began playing in local progressive rock bands. They all knew each other since visited the same concerts . By the time the group of all its future members attended university and were fully formed creative people , so the team came out very eclectic. Officially, the "Babylon" has never been a leader, but the central figures in the group are undoubtedly Chambers and Dorokkas . Debuting on stage " alma mater " , the band begins to actively work on new material , regularly speaking at concert venues in Florida. To show their musicians chose only those facilities that would allow to fully realize the massive stage designs . At the end of 1977 "Babylon" is recording an album with the same name , which was the only studio release group. Musicians money was only enough to pay for studio time two nights - one for recording and the other - to mix . Disc sound is just 35 minutes left in the beginning of next year via "Mehum Music". Stylistically, the album made ??in the best traditions of classical symphonic rock . Critics in their assessments , not saying a word , drew parallels with the work of Genesis early '70s . " Then it was a compliment for us - says Dorokkas - and remains so until now ." On the advice of a friend , the musicians decided to try to implement through a novelty record store "Jet Records", who was in New Jersey. Its range at that time was represented mainly by foreign artists disks , so the owner willingly bought a thousand copies of the plate immediately . Forthcoming address groups from all over the world poured letters from fans appeared , and on local radio was organized interviews with musicians . However , all of these are designated as " pros " were unable to offset the large and stable " minus " in the financial position of musicians. How then confessed Dorokkas , revenue from sales of the album was all just a few hundred dollars. Tickets for the band's performance was worth two and a half dollars, and if the concert is held in some college students there is generally allowed free of charge. Enthusiastic participants melted in his eyes, the creative energy supply is dwindling fast , and lasted only two years , "Babylon" disintegrated.
