According to DiMeloa Return to Forever disbanded because Stanley Clarke left Scientology. Corea was a member and follower of L Ron Hubbard and per DiMeola Stanley’s leaving Scientology did not sit right with Chick (link) https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-16-ca-719-story.html#:~:text=When%20Clarke%20gave%20up%20Scientology,different%20direction%2C%E2%80%9D%20DiMeola%20said.
I saw Chick in Manhattan at the Bottom Line. After the show you are allowed to go upstairs and meet the members of the band as the dressing rooms are upstairs. I, being a big fan of Chick went upstairs. Their were several people talking to him at the time and all Chick was talking about was Scientology. I just walked away. I was at the show with a friend from Brazil and Airto Moreira, a Brazilian percussionist and his wife and singer Flora Purim (also from Brazil) happened to be playing with Chick that night. So my friend and I ended up in Airto and Flora’s dressing room. During the show Flora sang a song, “Five Hundred Miles High” that was featured on the Light As a Feather album. And I mentioned to Flora how I always loved that song. I always remember the conversation because when I mentioned the song Airto started complaining that Chick was playing it in the wrong key. Both Airto and Flora graciously spent a good half hour speaking to my friend and me. So that’s my Chick story.
He was a giant of a musician. But it always struck me as odd that he would be so caught up in the Scientology thing.
Great first hand account. Thanks for sharing. I had no idea Chick corea was a Scientologist. I hope he got out of that and found Jesus.
Flora Purim ... I’d forgotten that name. Great voice.
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