Deke Leonard -

Deke Leonard was a Welsh guitarist and keyboardist who served as an on/off member of Man throughout its existence. Between stints with the group, he released two albums on United Artists in 1973/74 with his backing band Iceberg. After a second stint with Man, he went through a series of bands (Tyla Gang, The Force) and issued his third U.A. solo album in 1981.

Background

Deke was born Roger Arnold Leonard on Dec. 18, 1944, in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. He adopted the name Deke from Deke Rivers, the character played by Elvis Presley in the 1957 film Loving You.

While enrolled at Llanelli Grammar School, Leonard formed Lucifer & The Corncrackers with singer Mike Rees, drummer Geoff Griffiths, and bassist Clive “Wes” Reynolds. The group operated the L Club and supported touring acts at local venues. Keith Hodge replaced Griffiths before Reynolds left for the Jets.

The Jets recruited Leonard on keyboards, though he soon returned to guitar and reactivated the Corncrackers with guitarist Brian Breeze. He later replaced bassist Vic Oakley in The Blackjacks, which toured American military bases in Europe. Leonard rejoined the Jets alongside singer Tony “Plum” Hollis, bassist Martin Ace, and drummer Beau Adams. The musicians renamed themselves the Smokeless Zone and held residencies in Germany, including Hamburg’s Top Ten Club. Terry Williams replaced Adams before the group dissolved.

Leonard returned to the Corncrackers for London engagements and demo sessions submitted to EMI and CBS. Williams joined on drums, while Ace entered as a multi-instrumentalist. The musicians changed their name to Dream as their material moved beyond the beat-group format.

In November 1968, Leonard replaced Oakley in the Bystanders as the group adopted the name Man. He appeared on the 1969 albums Revelation and 2 Ozs of Plastic With a Hole in the Middle, then left as work proceeded on the second album. Leonard returned as Ace and Williams joined the revised lineup, contributing to the 1971 albums Man and Do You Like It Here Now, Are You Settling In? and the 1972 release Be Good to Yourself at Least Once a Day.

Micky Jones and Williams dismissed Leonard in spring 1972, after Ace left the group. United Artists A&R representative Andrew Lauder offered Leonard a solo contract. Leonard then joined Help Yourself amid Malcolm Morley’s temporary absence and remained after Morley returned. The association continued through the Dec. 19, 1972, concert documented on Christmas at the Patti.

“Diamond Road” / “Turning in Circles”

United Artists issued “Diamond Road” in February 1973, backed with “Turning in Circles,” a non-album Leonard exclusive. Neither track appeared on the original Iceberg LP.

A. “Diamond Road” (3:48)
B. “Turning in Circles” (3:34)

Iceberg

Deke Leonard released his debut solo album, Iceberg, in July 1973 on United Artists.

The album pairs Leonard with bassist Martin Ace across most tracks; Paul Burton plays bass and sings on “Lisa.” Drummers Dave Charles, Tommy Riley, Beau Adams, and Mike Gibbins divide the sessions. Malcolm Morley adds guitar to “Broken Ovation” and “Jesse,” while Byron Berline plays fiddle on “Lisa.” Leonard wrote nine tracks and shared the remaining credits with Ace, Crosby Eichler, and members of Man.

“Razor Blade and Rattlesnake” surges through abrupt stops, backward accents, and jagged replies before opening into a long solo break. “I Just Can’t Win” jerks between compact verses and sudden gaps while Leonard presses each complaint into terse phrases. “Lisa” settles into a measured sway and gradually broadens around Leonard’s hesitant delivery. “Nothing Is Happening” starts sparsely, gathers answering parts, then breaks into a louder final section.

“Looking for a Man” grinds on a repeating figure as Leonard rides above a dense, unsettled backing. “A Hard Way to Live” rolls forward in short bursts and marks each verse ending with a high tag. “Broken Ovation” enters cautiously, delays Leonard’s arrival, then spreads into extended band interplay. “Jesse” moves in broad, even phrases while group replies answer Leonard’s plea. “Ten Thousand Takers” shuffles beneath sliding lines and brief harmony entries.

“The Ghost of Musket Flat” unfolds as a wordless sequence of bowed phrases and faint closing swells. “Crosby (Second Class Citizen Blues)” compresses growls, beeps, squeaks, and buzzes into a brief electronic interruption. “7171 551” advances on a firm march, withholds Leonard through the opening stretch, then clears space for an extended workout.

A1. “Razor Blade and Rattlesnake” (6:00)
A2. “I Just Can’t Win” (2:38)
A3. “Lisa” (3:48)
A4. “Nothing Is Happening” (4:30) – Leonard, Ace
A5. “Looking for a Man” (3:40)
A6. “A Hard Way to Live” (3:15)

B1. “Broken Ovation” (5:27)
B2. “Jesse” (3:55)
B3. “Ten Thousand Takers” (2:55)
B4. “The Ghost of Musket Flat” (3:00) – Leonard, Ace, Micky Jones, Williams, Dave Phillips
B5. “Crosby (Second Class Citizen Blues)” (1:48) – Leonard, Eichler
B6. “7171 551” (5:15)

Sessions began in 1972 at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth with Kingsley Ward, who engineered the 1972 Help Yourself album Beware the Shadow. Further work continued through early 1973 at Olympic Studios and Mayfair Studios in London. Leonard co-produced the main body with Tim Boyle. Ex-Love Sculpture guitarist Dave Edmunds produced and engineered “A Hard Way to Live” in sequence with his 1972 solo album Rockpile. Man group-produced “The Ghost of Musket Flat.”

Pierre Tubbs handled photography and art direction for the gatefold sleeve. Tubbs also photographed Christmas at the Patti and designed the inner gatefold for the 1973 Man album Back Into the Future.

United Artists issued “Nothing Is Happening” in July 1973, backed with “She’s a Cow,” a non-album Leonard exclusive. UA followed in August with “A Hard Way to Live,” backed with “The Aching Is So Sweet,” another non-album track.

Leonard assembled a touring version of Iceberg with guitarist Brian Breeze, bassist Paul Burton, and drummer Keith Hodge. On May 14, 1973, the group recorded a John Peel session. Martin Ace later replaced Burton, while Dave Charles succeeded Hodge.

Kamikaze

Deke Leonard released his second solo album, Kamikaze, in 1974 on United Artists.

Iceberg guitarist Brian Breeze and bassist Martin Ace form the principal lineup with drummers Dave Charles and Keith Hodge. Tommy Riley handles drums on “April the Third” and “Louisiana Hoedown,” with Lincoln Carr playing bass and guitar on the latter. Micky Jones and Terry Williams join “The Devil’s Gloves”; Byron Berline adds fiddle and mandolin to “Sharpened Claws.” Leonard wrote eight tracks, co-wrote two with Francis Leonard, and assigned “Louisiana Hoedown” to Riley.

“Cool Summer Rain” condenses a forceful entrance into thirty seconds before cutting away. “Jay Hawk Special” barrels through a loose repeating figure while Leonard throws each line across the beat. “Sharpened Claws” begins with spare phrases, adds quick answering parts, then turns into a faster reel before ending on one exposed line. “Taking the Easy Way Out Again” unwinds slowly with Leonard placed near the front of a restrained backing.

“The Black Gates of Death” opens in abstraction, then locks into a hard rhythmic drive before Leonard enters. “Stacia” rings through one minute of interlocking lines. “Broken Glass and Lime Juice” advances in a march, thins beneath Leonard’s strained delivery, then rebuilds around full-band force. “April the Third” drags a slow repeating figure beneath hesitant replies. “Louisiana Hoedown” rolls on broad sustained phrases and short answering bursts.

“In Search of Sarah and Twenty-Six Horses” gallops through a churning pattern as Leonard projects each phrase in blunt strokes. “The Devil’s Gloves” drives on taut accents, then gives the final stretch to an extended instrumental passage.

A1. “Cool Summer Rain” (0:30) – D. Leonard, Francis Leonard
A2. “Jayhawk Special” (4:15)
A3. “Sharpened Claws” (7:20)
A4. “Taking the Easy Way Out” (5:30)
A5. “The Black Gates of Death” (4:45)
A6. “Stacia” (1:00)

B1. “Broken Glass and Lime Juice” (5:35) – D. Leonard, F. Leonard
B2. “April the Third” (3:50)
B3. “Louisiana Hoedown” (2:52) – Riley
B4. “In Search of Sarah and Twenty-Six Horses” (6:35)
B5. “The Devil’s Gloves” (5:10)

Sessions spanned June 1973 through January 1974 across three facilities. Kamikaze was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth and Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Oxfordshire, with further work at Olympic Studios in Barnes. Help Yourself drummer Dave Charles produced the album.

Kingsley Ward and Pat Moran engineered the Rockfield sessions. Barry Hammond and Dave Grinstead worked at Chipping Norton; Rufus Cartwright handled Olympic engineering. Charles produced the 1973 Help Yourself release The Return of Ken Whaley and later became a resident Rockfield engineer, with credits on the 1975 Hawkwind album Warrior on the Edge of Time.

The credited ART DIRECTION studio designed the gatefold. Keith Morris photographed the front cover, while Pierre Tubbs supplied the inside photography. Morris also photographed the 1974 Camel album Mirage and Man’s Rhinos, Winos and Lunatics.

United Artists issued “Louisiana Hoedown” in April 1974, backed with “She’s a Cow,” the non-album Leonard exclusive first used behind “Nothing Is Happening.”

Kamikaze reached No. 50 on the Record Mirror Top Fifty.

In 2002, Beat Goes On paired Iceberg and Kamikaze on a two-CD edition. Esoteric Recordings issued separate remastered and expanded editions in 2015, adding contemporary singles, B-sides, and session material.

Return to Man

On Nov. 26, 1973, Iceberg recorded a second John Peel session. Ken Whaley replaced Ace before the band toured as support to Man. Leonard and Micky Jones used the tour to plan another Man lineup, and Leonard dissolved Iceberg when the existing Man configuration ended that December.

Leonard rejoined Man in January 1974 alongside Whaley and Malcolm Morley. He appeared on the 1974 studio albums Rhinos, Winos and Lunatics and Slow Motion, followed by the 1975 live release Maximum Darkness. The 1976 albums The Welsh Connection and All’s Well That Ends Well preceded the group’s December breakup.

1977–79 Activity

Leonard briefly joined Tyla Gang and contributed guitar, keyboards, and vocals to the 1977 album Yachtless. He then reactivated Iceberg with bassist Lincoln Carr and drummer Terry Williams. Later configurations included guitarist–bassist Richard Treece, pedal-steel guitarist B.J. Cole, and drummer Reg Isidore. Pianist Howard Hughes and drummer Anthony Stone accompanied Leonard for a Feb. 15, 1978, John Peel session.

In 1978, Leonard worked with Larry Wallis, bassist Big George Webley, and drummer Pete Thomas on the unreleased album Leather Forever. Tracks from the sessions later appeared on Pink Fairies and Deviants compilations.

“Map of India” / “Hey There! (Lady in the Black Tuxedo)”

United Artists issued “Map of India” in February 1979, backed with “Hey There! (Lady in the Black Tuxedo),” a non-album Leonard exclusive.

A. “Map of India” (3:26)
B. “Hey There! (Lady in the Black Tuxedo)” (2:58)

Martin Rushent produced the A-side with engineer Aldo Bocca. Rushent recently produced the 1978 Stranglers album Black and White and Buzzcocks release Love Bites. Leonard produced the B-side with engineer Dave Charles.

Before Your Very Eyes

Deke Leonard released his third solo album, Before Your Very Eyes, in March 1981 on United Artists.

The sessions pair Leonard with bassists John McKenzie, Ron François, and Martin Ace and drummers Dave Charles and Terry Williams. Chris Parren and Malcolm Morley handle keyboards. Guitarist Lenny Macaluso arranged the brass parts, performed by Ron Aspery, Chris Mercer, and Martin Drover. Dave Edmunds and Billy Bremner appear among the backing singers.

Leonard wrote eleven songs. “Big Hunk of Love” is an Aaron Schroeder–Sid Wyche composition first recorded by Elvis Presley.

“Marlene” swings in a loose shuffle while short brass replies punctuate Leonard’s lines. “Oh” turns on a compact syncopated pattern. “When Am I Coming Back” leaves Leonard exposed against a plain, evenly spaced backing. “Get Off the Line” moves briskly through tight verse sections and sharp answering bursts. “Hiding in Darkness” tightens around dry accents and restrained phrasing.

A1. “Someone Is Calling” (3:15)
A2. “Fools Like Me” (3:16)
A3. “Marlene” (3:04)
A4. “Oh” (2:52)
A5. “When Am I Coming Back” (4:34)
A6. “Get Off the Line” (3:06)

B1. “Hiding in the Darkness” (3:57)
B2. “Big Hunk of Love” (2:19) – Aaron Schroeder, Sid Wyche
B3. “I Feel Like a Pill” (2:59)
B4. “The World Exploded in My Face” (2:47)
B5. “What Am I Gonna Do When the Money Runs Out?” (3:50)
B6. “Bad Luck” (3:59)

Leonard began the project at Rockfield Studios in late 1977 with Martin Ace and Terry Williams. He discarded most of those recordings and retained only “Bad Luck.” Sessions resumed around April 1979 at Advision, Eden Studios, and Olympic Studios in London.

Rushent produced and engineered the main 1979 sessions, with Laurence Burrage attached to the Olympic work. Dave Charles produced and engineered the retained Rockfield recording. United Artists withheld the completed album for two years before EMI’s acquisition of the label cleared the release. Rushent also produced the 1981 Human League album Dare.

John Pasche designed the cover around a portrait by Brian Griffin, who photographed 1980 sleeves for Ultravox (Vienna) and Echo & the Bunnymen (Crocodiles).

Liberty issued “Big Hunk of Love” in May 1981 (b/w “Marlene”).

Voiceprint reissued Before Your Very Eyes on CD in 2000 with the two sides of the 1979 single. Beat Goes On retained those bonus tracks for a 2009 edition.

Later Activity

Leonard briefly relocated to Los Angeles in 1981 for sessions connected with Walter Egan’s The Last Stroll. He returned to Britain and formed the Force with singer–guitarist Sean Tyla, bassist Micky Groome, and drummer Paul Simmons. The group released the 1982 album The Force in Germany. Ace and Williams appeared on two tracks.

Tyla left on the subsequent tour, and Leonard continued with another version of Iceberg. Interest in a Man reunion followed, and Leonard rejoined Jones and Ace for the 1983 resumption. He remained until health problems interrupted his work in 1996, then returned the following year. Leonard left Man again in 2004, ending his final tenure.

In 2002, Northdown issued the archival collection Unfinished Business. Leonard recorded the studio album Freedom and Chains in 2004 for release the following year. Hux Records also issued Wireless, a collection of BBC sessions recorded by Iceberg in the 1970s.

Leonard published the memoirs Rhinos, Winos & Lunatics and Maybe I Should’ve Stayed in Bed?, followed by the guitarist survey The Twang Dynasty. His later books included Maximum Darkness and the collected articles Deke Speaks. He died in Llanelli on Jan. 31, 2017, following a career that spanned five decades.

Discography: