Jesse Colin Young, singer of 1960s anthem ‘Get Together,’ dies at 83

Jesse Colin Young, the folk-rock singer best known for leading the Youngbloods and performing their 1969 hit “Get Together,” has died at the age of 83.

His wife and manager, Connie Young, confirmed that he passed away at home in Aiken, South Carolina, on Sunday, March 16. No cause of death was disclosed.

Young rose to fame as the frontman of the Youngbloods, whose song “Get Together” became a defining anthem of the 1960s counterculture. Originally released in 1967, the song gained national recognition when it was reissued in 1969, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Although the Youngbloods disbanded in 1972, Young continued a successful solo career, releasing multiple albums throughout the 1970s and beyond. His most popular solo record, Song for Juli, reflected his love for jazz and life in the countryside. He also toured extensively, including as an opener for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young during their legendary 1974 stadium tour.

In later years, Young faced health challenges, including a chronic Lyme disease diagnosis in 2009, which affected his ability to perform. However, after finding treatment, he returned to music in 2016, inspired by his son’s Berklee College of Music recital. His final album, Highway Troubadour (2021), revisited his early work.

Despite semi-retirement, Young remained passionate about music, saying in 2019, “The power of ‘Get Together’ has never diminished.” His contributions to folk and rock music leave a lasting legacy.