Prudence was a Norwegian folk-rock/psych band that emerged with the 1972 album Tomorrow May Be Vanished, followed by Drunk and Happy, No. 3, and Takk te dokk on Polydor. Members: Åge Aleksandersen (guitar, vocals), Per Erik Wallum (vocals, flute, harmonica), Terje Tysland (accordion, guitar, piano, vocals), Johan Tangen (mandolin, guitar), Kjell Ove Riseth (bass), Kaare […]
The Soul Searchers were an American soul-funk band from Washington, D.C., that released the 1972–74 Sussex albums We the People and Salt of the Earth. In 1979, frontman Chuck Brown assembled a new lineup for the Source Records titles Bustin’ Loose and Funk Express. Members: Charles “Chuck” Brown (guitar, vocals), John Buchannan Jr. (trombone, piano), […]
Yellow Sunshine was an American soul-funk band from Philadelphia that released a self-titled album on Gamble in 1973. Members: Karl Chambers (drums), Roland Chambers (guitar), Lester Young (percussion), Idres Young (bass), Dexter Wansel (keyboards), Ron Harding (saxophone) Background Yellow Sunshine formed in Philadelphia when drummer Karl Chambers and guitarist Roland Chambers, brothers from the city’s […]
Sir Joe Quarterman & Free Soul were an American jazz-funk/soul septet from Washington, D.C., that released a self-titled album on GSF in 1973, followed by a string of mid-decade singles on Mercury. Members: Joe Quarterman (trumpet, vocals), George R. Lee (guitar), Gregory C. Hammonds (bass), Allen Stewart (drums), Willie Parker, Jr. (guitar), Karissa Freeman (keyboards), […]
Sapo was an American Latin-rock/funk band from San Francisco that released a 1974 album on Bell Records. Members: Joe Bean (leader), Richard Bean (vocals, timbales), José Simón (bass, vocals), Raúl Rekow (congas, vocals), Kincaid Miller (electric piano), Oscar Estrelia (guitar, vocals), Wayne Wallace (trombone), Robby Gaviola (drums, vocals) Background In 1965, Richard Bean played saxophone […]
Rufus was an American soul-funk band from Chicago, best known for the 1974 hit “Tell Me Something Good,” a clavinet-driven composition by Stevie Wonder. They released six albums between 1973 and 1978 on ABC Records, followed by three early ’80s titles on MCA. Most of their releases give featured status to singer Chaka Khan. Members: […]
Shampoo was a Belgian jazz-rock band that made the 1971 album Volume One on Disques Motors. They merged with the Dutch vocal trio Hearts of Soul for the 1973 single “All of Us” and the 1974 album We Love the Policeman. Saxist Giorgio Chitschenko hailed from Mad Curry. Members: Luk Smets (keyboards, vocals), Cel De […]
Rainbow Generator was the Australian experimental electronic duo of synthesist Robert “Ras” Greaves and guitarist–synthesist David “Mojo” Labuschagne. They released the 1978 Fission Chips album Dance of the Spheres, then continued as the Generator and joined magician-performer Geof Krozier for the 1981 double album Tranceformer. Members: Robert Greaves [aka Ras] (synthesizers, rhythm machines, percussion), David Labuschagne [aka […]
Älgarnas Trädgård was a Swedish space-rock/psych band that released a 1972 album on Silence and recorded a long-vaulted followup, later released as Delayed. Members: Andreas Brandt (violin), Mikael Johansson (bass), Dennis Lundh (drums), Dan Söderqvist (guitar), Jan Ternald (keyboards), Sebastian Öberg (cello), Ulf Mårtensson (drums, 1971), Christer Öhman (drums, guitar, 1973-74), Kjell Karlgren (saxophone, 1976), […]
Ice was a Paris-based American funk band that made three albums (1973–75) on Kedzie/Musidisc and two further titles (both 1977) on RCA. They evolved from the Bobby Boyd Congress and also recorded as Captain Dax, Crispy & Co., and the Lafayette Afro Rock Band. Background Ice formed in 1970 as the Bobby Boyd Congress, a […]
Raw Soul Express was an American soul-funk band from Miami that released a self-titled album on T.K.-subsidiary Cat Records in 1976. Members: Albie Manno (bass, backing vocals), Chris Perkins (organ, piano), Christopher Booker (trumpet, backing vocals), John McMinn (tenor saxophone), Martel Williams (trumpet), Rickey Washington (lead vocals, flute, baritone saxophone), Tommy Johnson (guitar) Inception Raw […]
Purple Image was an American soul-psych band from Cleveland that released a 1970 self-titled album on Map City. Members: Warren Adams (vocals, piano, organ), Kenneth Roberts (vocals, rhythm guitar), William Adams (vocals, congas), Frank Smith (lead guitar), Del Moran (bass), Richard Payne (drums), Diane Dunlap (vocals) Background Purple Image formed in 1969 in Cleveland’s East Side […]
Paper Bubble was an English chamber/folk-pop trio that released the album Scenery on Deram in 1970. Members: Terry Brake (vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar), Brian Crane (vocals, guitar), Neil Mitchell (bass) Background Paper Bubble began with a musical partnership between two singing guitarists from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Terry Brake and Brian Crane. They eventually added bassist Neil […]
Tomorrow’s Gift was a German musical collective that released a self-titled, psych-rock double-album on +plus+ in 1970. Three years and a turn toward jazz-rock yielded the sophomoric Goodbye Future on Spiegelei/Aamok in 1973. The band subsequently evolved into the Release Music Orchestra. Members: Ellen Meier (vocals, ?-1971), Carlo Karges (guitar, percussion, ?-1971), Manfred Rürup (organ), […]
The Norman Haines Band was an English post-psych act led by the keyboardist and mastermind of Locomotive. They released the 1970 single “Daffodil” and the 1971 album Den of Iniquity, both on Parlophone. Another single, “Finding My Way Home,” appeared under the name Avalanche. Haines followed with the 1972 solo single “Give to You, Girl.” […]
Alrune Rod was a Danish post-psych band that made the 1969–72 Sonet albums Alrune Rod, Hej Du, and Alrune Rock, followed by the 1973/74 Mandragora titles Spredt for Vinden and 4-Vejs. Members: Leif Roden [Leif Roden Nielsen] (vocals, bass, guitar), Flemming Giese Rasmussen (guitar, 1968-70), Kurt “Pastor” Ziegler Simonsen (organ, piano, vocals, 1968-70, 1972-?), Claus […]
Magnum was an American soul-funk band from San Pedro Bay, California, that released the album Fully Loaded on the Phoenix label in 1974. Members: Michael Greene (piano, organ, percussion, vocals), Harold Greene (bass), Kevin “Cornbread” Thornton (lead/rhythm guitars), Vance Wormley (trombone, organ, piano, percussion), George Chaney (congas, bongos), Thurron Mallory (tenor/alto saxophone, percussion), Lamont Payne […]
Som Nosso de Cada Dia was a Brazilian symphonic/funk-rock band that released two albums: Snegs (1974, Continental) and Som Nosso (1977, CBS). Members: Manito (keyboards, horns), Pedrão (guitar, bass), Pedrinho (drums), Egídio Conde (guitar) Background Som Nosso de Cada Dia (Portuguese for “Our Daily Sound”) formed in 1970 in São Paulo. The band’s original trio […]
Axis was a Paris-based psych-rock band of expatriated Greek musicians. They released six singles and three 1971–73 albums on Riviera. Members: Ντέμης Βισβίκης [Demis Visvikis aka Demis Loukas Jr.] (vocals, organ), Δημήτρης Κατακουζηνός [Dimitris Katakuzinos] (acoustic guitar, bass, vocals), Αλέκος Καρακαντάς [Alekos Karakandas] (lead guitar, vocals), Αλέξανδρος Φάντης [Alexandros Fantis] (bass, 1973), Γιώργος Χατζηαθανασίου [George […]
September was a Yugoslav symphonic/jazz-rock band from Ljubljana, Slovenia, that debuted with a 1976 Jugoton single. That same year, they released the RTB album Zadnja Avantura, followed by a 1977 standalone single. Lengthy September live tracks appeared on the Boom ’76 document and the Jugoton compilation Randevu S Muzikom (20 Godina Radio Novi Sad). In […]
Oko was a Yugoslav hard-rock band from Ljubljana, Slovenia, that issued a single on ZKP RTVLJ in 1975, followed by the album Raskorak on Jugaton in 1976. Members: Pavel Kavec (vocals, guitar), Miro Tomassini (bass, 1972-75), Jani Tutta (drums, 1972-73), Dragan Gajič (drums, 1973-1975), Tone Dimnik (drums, 1975-76), Franjo Martinec (bass, 1975-76), Zlatko Klun (drums, […]
Lou Courtney (1943–2021) was an American soul singer and songwriter who scored R&B hits with the 1967 singles “Skate Now” and “Do the Thing.” He co-wrote songs for soul and rock artists (Mary Wells, The McCoys) and released multiple singles before his 1974 Epic release I’m In Need of Love, followed by the 1976 RCA […]
Råg i Ryggen was a Swedish hard-rock/psych band that released a 1975 self-titled album on Rondo. Members: Björn Aggemyr (bass), Björn “Nysse” Nyström (guitar), Christer Sjöborg (organ, keyboards), Jan Aggemyr (guitar), Jonas Warnerbring (vocals, flute, 1974-76), Peter Sandberg (drums, 1971-76), Bo Lantz (vocals, 1976), Jonas Edgren (drums, 1976) Background Råg i Ryggen formed in 1971 […]
Fläsket Brinner was a Swedish avant-jazz/rock band that released a 1971 self-titled album on Silence, followed by a 1972 half-studio/half-live double-album on Ljudspår. Members: Bengt Dahlén (guitar), Per Bruun (bass), Sten Bergman (organ, flute), Erik Dahlbäck (drums), Gunnar Bergsten (saxophone), Bo Hansson (organ), Mikael Ramel (guitar, vocals), Bobo Stenson (Fender Rhodes), Bill Öhrström (congas), Bosse […]
Junipher Greene was a Norwegian folk-rock/psych band that debuted to much fanfare with the 1971 double-album Friendship on Sonet. Their second album, Communication, appeared in 1973, followed in 1982 with Forbudte formiddagstoner. Members: Bent Åserud (guitar, keyboards, flute, vocals), Geir Bøhren (vocals, drums, saxophone), Helge Grøslie (organ, vocals, 1966-73), Øyvind Vilbo (bass, vocals, guitar, 1966-74), […]
The Quick was the English synth-funk duo of vocalist Colin Campsie and bassist/keyboardist George McFarlane. The pair released assorted singles and two proper album on Epic between 1979 and 1984, plus a third on A&M in 1986. Their first album, On the Uptake, appeared Down Under in 1981 to capitalize on the Australian success of […]
The Parlour Band was an English rustic art-pop band that released the album Is a Friend? on Deram in 1972. Four-fifths of the band continued as A Band Called O and released four albums (alternately billed as The “O” Band or simply “O”) between 1974 and 1977. Members: Peter Filleul (lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar), […]
Gygafo was an English symphonic-folk rock band that recorded an album in 1973 that was ultimately released by archivists Holyground in 1990. The band’s sole release during their own lifetime was a single on small-press Look Records in 1975. Members: John Atkinson (vocals, guitar, mandolin, flute, glockenspiel), Paul Kent (bass), Pete Nickson (drums, percussion), Charlie […]
Greenslade was an English symphonic-rock supergroup comprised of ex-members of Colosseum, Fields, and Web/Samurai. They released four albums on Warner Bros. between 1973 and 1975. Their first two, Greenslade and Bedside Manners Are Extra, feature gatefold cover art by Yes/Uriah Heep/Osibisa illustrator Roger Dean. Members: Dave Greenslade (keyboards), Tony Reeves (bass, 1972-75, 1976-present), Andy McCulloch […]
Trillion was an American AOR|hard-rock band that released the 1978–80 Epic albums Trillion and Clear Approach. Members: Fergie Frederiksen (vocals, 1978-79), Thom Griffin (vocals, guitar), Frank Barbalace (guitar), Ron Anaman (bass), Patrick Leonard (keyboards), Bill Wilkins (drums) Background Trillion had its roots in Whisper, a Chicago bar band formed in 1976 with keyboardist Patrick Leonard, […]
The Red Crayola was an American psychedelic rock band from Houston that released the experimental 1967/68 albums Parable of Arable Land and God Bless the Red Krayola, both on International Artists. Guitarist/singer Mayo Thompson cut a 1970 solo folk album, Corky’s Debt to His Father. Thompson reactivated Red Crayola for the 1979 Radar Records release […]
Carolyn Crawford (born July 19, 1949) is an American soul singer from Detroit who had shortplayer stints with Motown (1963/64) and PIR (1974/75), then released two 1978/79 albums on Mercury. She had a brief fourth-member stint with Hodges James & Smith on two 1971/72 singles. Crawford also sang backing vocals for Bohannon, Kim Weston, and […]
Cactus was an American hard-rock|blues band that released four albums between 1970 and 1972 on Atco. Drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tim Bogert hailed from psych-rockers Vanilla Fudge. After Cactus, the pair teamed with guitarist Jeff Beck in the power-trio Beck, Bogart and Appice. Members: Carmine Appice (drums), Tim Bogert (bass, 1970-2008), Rusty Day (vocals, […]
Our Daughters Wedding was an American new wave trio from New York that scored an early synthpop club hit with their 1980 single “Lawnchairs,” included on their 1981 EP Digital Cowboy. Members: Keith Silva (vocals, synthesizer, keyboards, guitar), Layne Rico (synthesizer, vocals, drums, drum machine), Scott Simon (synthesizer, saxophone, vocals, guitar, bass synth), Jim Nevius […]
Crispy Ambulance was an English post-punk band that released the 1982 album The Plateau Phase on Factory Benelux. In 1985, an expanded six-piece lineup cut the funk EP Advantage under the name Ram Ram Kino. Members: Alan Hempsall (vocals), Robert Davenport (guitar), Keith Darbyshire (bass), Gary Madeley (drums) Background Crispy Ambulance formed in late 1977 in […]
Lone Star was the Welsh hard-rock band behind the 1976/77 CBS/Columbia albums Lone Star and Firing on All Six. Members: Pete Hurley (bass), Tony Smith (guitar, 1975-78), Dixie Lee (drums, 1975-78), Rik Worsnop (keyboards, 1975-78), Paul Chapman (guitar, 1975-78), Kenny Driscoll (vocals, 1975-77, 1979), John Sloman (vocals, 1977-78) Inception Lone Star coalesced in May 1975 […]
Fat Water was an American soul-rock band from Chicago that released a 1969 album on MGM. Members: Vicki (vocals), Lance (guitar, vocals), Boris (bass, vocals), Eve (keyboards), Pete (drums, vocals) Background Fat Water formed in 1969 from the intersection of multiple Chicago- and Midwest-area bands. Guitarist and keyboardist Lance Massey, originally from Florida, came north […]
Aktuala was an Italian ethno-folk band that released three albums on Bla Bla between 1973 and 1976. Led by multi-instrumentalist Walter Maioli, they pioneered an acoustic, trance-based fusion of African, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mediterranean traditions using a wide array of non-Western instruments. Across shifting lineups, core contributors included percussionist Lino Vaccina, saxophonist Daniele Cavallanti, […]
Eskaton was a French Zeuhl/chamber-rock band that self-released three albums and a standalone single between 1979 and 1983. Members: Marc Rozenberg (bass, keyboards), Gérard Konig (drums, 1970-84), Alain Blesing (guitar, 1970-79), Xavier de Raymond (keyboards, 1970-79), André Bernardi (guitar, bass, 1973-present), Eric Guillaume (keyboards, 1973-79), Paule Kleynnaert (vocals, 1973-84), Amara Tahir-Konig (vocals, 1973-84), Gilles Rozenberg […]
Ragnarök was a Swedish symphonic/folk band that released four albums between 1976 and 1983 on Silence Records. Their music centered on atmospheric ensemble writing that moved between pastoral, rhythmic, and more exploratory instrumental forms as the lineup evolved. Across their longer history, Ragnarök passed through 27 members, played more than 800 concerts in nine countries, […]
Ibis was an Italian symphonic-rock band that released the 1973 Fonit Cetra album Canti d’innocenza, canti d’esperienza, followed by the 1974/75 Polydor titles Sun Supreme and Ibis. Members: Nico Di Palo (guitar, vocals), Maurizio Salvi (keyboards), Frank Laugelli (bass, vocals), Gianni Belleno (drums, vocals, 1973-74), Rick Parnell (drums, 1974), Pasquale Venditto (drums, vocals, 1975), Renzo […]
Dragon are a New Zealander rock band that released nine studio albums between 1974 and 1989 and scored Australian hits with “April Sun In Cuba,” “Rain,” and “Are You Old Enough?” They emerged on Auckland’s pub circuit and signed to Vertigo for the 1974–75 albums Universal Radio and Scented Gardens for the Blind, both comprised […]
Michael Fennelly (born May 4, 1949) is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter who released the 1973 Epic album Lane Changer, followed by the 1975 Mercury release Stranger’s Bed. Background Michael Fennelly was born on May 4, 1949, in New York City. He grew up in Pennsylvania and Westfield, New Jersey, where he attended high […]
Lougarou / Garolou was a Québécois symphonic-folk band that released a 1976 self-titled album as Lougarou on London Records. After being sued by a similarly named dance troupe, the band modified the spelling to Garolou for their 1978 second London album, followed by two further titles on Kébec-Disc. Members: Marc Lalonde (bass, guitar, vocals), Michel […]
Orion’s Beethoven was an Argentine hard-rock/psych band that was active from 1969 until 1981. Two Polydor-issued albums emerged from this lengthy run: Superangel (1973) and Tercer Milenio (1977). The Bar brothers continued under the abbreviated nameplate Orions, which issued back-to-back albums during the early 1980s. Members: Adrian Bar (guitar), Román Bar (bass, keyboards, vocals), José […]
Nutz was an English hard rock band from Liverpool that released the 1974–76 A&M albums Nutz, Nutz Two, and Hard Nutz, followed by the 1977 concert disc Live Cutz. When the New Wave of British Heavy Metal arrived, Nutz reconstituted as Rage for the 1981–83 Carrere albums Out of Control, Nice ‘n’ Dirty, and Run […]
Coven was an American hard-rock band from Chicago that released the 1969 Mercury album Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls, followed by two further albums on MGM and Buddah. Members: Jinx Dawson (vocals), Mike “Oz” Osborne (bass), Jim Nyeholt (organ, piano), Jim Donlinger (guitar), Chris Nielsen (guitar, vocals), Rick Durrett (organ), John Hobbs (keyboards) Background […]
Anna Själv Tredje was a Swedish electronic duo that released the popular album Tussilago Fanfara on the Silence label in 1977. Keyboardist Ingemar Ljungström subsequently headed the space-rock/coldwave combos Cosmic Overdose and Twice a Man. Members: Ingemar Ljungström [aka Karl Gasleben] (keyboards), Mikael Bojén (keyboards, guitar) Formation Anna Själv Tredje centered on the musical partnership […]
Mississippi was an Australian rustic harmony-rock band from Melbourne that released a self-titled album in 1972 on Bootleg. They cut three prior singles as Alison Gros, which masqueraded as Drummond on the 1971 novelty hit “Daddy Cool.” Guitarist–singer Graeham Gobel and post-album members Beeb Birtles (ex-Zoot) and Derek Pellicci achieved subsequent stardom in the Little […]
Second Direction was a German jazz-rock band that released the 1976 album Four Corners on Trend and Aris. Members: Fritz Münzer (flute, soprano saxophone), Karl-Heinz Merkel (electric piano, strings), Gerhard Spirka (electric bass), Val Hargreaves (drums) Background Second Direction began in West Germany as a studio group organized by Mannheim reedist Fritz Münzer, who had […]
Mouse was an English hard-rock/psych band that released the album Lady Killer on Sovereign in 1973. This was the second of three one-off rock combos during a four-year period for jazz guitarist Ray Russell, who preceded Mouse with Running Man in 1972 and followed with Chopyn in 1975. Members: Alan “Al” Clare (lead vocals, keyboards), […]
Flibbertigibbet was a folk band formed in 1976 in South Africa. In 1978, they released the album Whistling Jigs to the Moon on Stanyan Records. Vocalist Alison O’Donnell and guitarist David Williams hailed from Irish folk-psych legends Mellow Candle, which issued the 1972 Deram album Swaddling Songs. Members: Alison O’Donnell (vocals), David Williams (guitar, mandolin, […]
Colin Blunstone is an English singer who fronted The Zombies, which charted with the British Invasion classics “She’s Not There,” “Tell Her No,” and “Time of the Season.” As a solo artist, Colin released the 1971–74 Epic albums One Year, Ennismore, and Journey and scored hits with “She Loves the Way They Love Her,” “I […]
Miroslav Vitous (born Dec. 6 1947) is a Czech jazz-rock bassist, active on the international scene from the late 1960s. After moving stateside on a musical scholarship, he backed Miles Davis for a round of 1967 live dates. His early backing credits include albums by Roy Ayers, Chic Corea, and Herbie Man. In 1970, Vitous […]
Gloria Mundi was an English art-rock/punk band from London that released two albums on RCA Victor in 1978 and 1979. Saxophonist c.c. was already known for credits with The Clash (“City of the Dead”) and Ultravox (“Hiroshima Mon Amour“). Singer Eddie Maelov and keyboardist/singer Sunshine Patteson later recorded as the synth duo Eddie & Sunshine. […]
Ginhouse was an English rock trio from Newcastle upon Tyne that released a self-titled album on B & C and Philips in 1971. Along with contemporary titles by T2, Fuzzy Duck, Leaf Hound, Quatermass, and High Tide, the album has since become a collectible artifact of progressive hard rock. Members: Stewart Burlison (bass, vocals), Geoff […]
Wishbone Ash are an English hard-rock/jam band from Torquay, Devon, that released eleven studio albums and two live double-LPs on MCA between 1970 and 1981, followed by albums on Metronome, Neat, and I.R.S. during the subsequent decade. They are noted for their twin-lead guitar format, as exemplified on the 1971/72 albums Pilgrimage and Argus and […]
Continuum was a UK-based instrumental ensemble formed by Hungarian multi-instrumentalist Yoel Schwarcz with an assortment of English musicians. They made the 1970/71 albums Continuum and Autumn Grass on RCA Victor. Musically, they foreshadowed the chamber-folk/chamber-rock sounds that spread through France, Belgium, and Quebec in the late Seventies. Members: Yoel Schwarcz (Spanish guitar, flute, recorder, harmonica, […]
X-Ray Spex was an English punk-rock band from London that issued the single “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” / “I Am a Cliché” on Virgin in 1977, followed by the album Germfree Adolescents on EMI International in 1978. They were fronted by singer Poly Styrene and initially featured saxophonist Lora Logic, who subsequently guested on The […]
Noel Pointer (1954–1994) was an American jazz-funk violinist, composer, and producer who released the 1977 Blue Note album Phantazia, followed by three albums on United Artists (1978–80) and two on Liberty (1981–82). He died of a stroke one week before his fortieth birthday. Background Noel Pointer was born on December 26, 1954, in Brooklyn, where […]
A Band Called O — alternately known as The O Band — were an English hard-rock band from Jersey island that released two albums apiece on Epic and United Artists between 1974 and 1977. The group evolved from rustic-rockers The Parlour Band, which issued the album Is a Friend? on Deram in 1972. Members: Pix […]
The Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign was an American funk band that released the album Reach for It on UNI Records in 1973, followed by Watchin’ You, Watchin’ Me on Chi Sound in 1976. Members: John Jackson (keyboards), Lester Johnson (bass), Matthew Watson (drums), Michael Woods (keyboards, trombone), Pamela Tanner (vocals), Robert Townsend (guitar), Tony Roberts […]
Gary Toms Empire was an American soul-funk band from N.Y.C. that released the 1975 album 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 Blow Your Whistle on P.I.P. Records. In 1977, Toms released the solo albums King of the Empire and Turn It Out, then resurrected Empire for the 1978 Mercury album Let’s Do It Again. Members: Gary Toms (vocals, piano, organ, […]
Scott Wilk + The Walls were an American new wave band from Chicago that released a 1980 self-titled album on Warner Bros. Singer/keyboardist Wilk led the subsequent Bone Symphony with Icelandic keyboardist Jakob Magnússon and Magic Band-drummer Robert Williams. Wilk also played on ’80s-era albums by Charlie Sexton, Peter McIan, Robert Tepper, The Plimsouls, and […]
The Savage Resurrection was an American West Coast psych-rock band that released a 1968 self-titled album on Mercury. Their sound fused hard psych with clipped blues figures and surging, dual-guitar riff patterns, crossing Hendrix and UK freakbeat with the San Francisco ballroom acts. Members: Bill Harper (vocals), Randy Hammon (guitar), John Palmer (guitar), Steve Lage […]
Valhalla was an American psych-rock band from New York that released a 1969 album on United Artists Records. Members: Mark Mangold (organ, percussion, vocals), Rick Ambrose (bass, vocals), Bob Hulling (vocals), Don Krantz (guitar, bass), Eddie Livingston (drums) Background Valhalla emerged from the Long Island garage scene in the wake of Yesterday’s Children*, a short-lived […]
Creative Rock was a German brass-rock band behind the 1972–74 Brain albums Gorilla and Lady Pig. Members: Heiko Steinsiek (drums), Klaus Weber (guitar, percussion), Rainer Erbel [Steve Haggerty] (vocals), Günter Schmeide (guitar, bass), Michael Maas (bass, guitar), Benny Stremmel (tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, flute), Hubertus Kreutner (trumpet, flugelhorn), Apostolos Papanikolaou (lead guitar) Inception Creative Rock […]
Cleveland Eaton (August 31, 1939 – July 5, 2020) was an American jazz-funk bassist and arranger who did 1960s stints behind Donald Byrd and Ramsey Lewis. As a bandleader, he made the 1973–79 albums Half and Half, Plenty Good Eaton, Instant Hip, and Keep Love Alive. Background Cleveland Josephus Eaton II was born on August […]
Édition Spéciale was a French jazz-rock band that debuted with the 1976 UA title Allée des Tilleuls, followed by the 1977–78 RCA albums Aliquante and Horizon Digital. Members: Ann Ballester (keyboards, vocals), Mimi Lorenzini (guitar, synthesizer, vocals), Josquin des Prés (bass, vocals), Jean-Francois Bouchet d’Angely (drums), Alain Gouillard (drums), François Grillot (bass), Mireille Bauer (vibraphone, […]
Atila was a Spanish symphonic/hard-rock band that released the 1976–78 albums Intención and Reviure. Members: Joan Punyet (drums), Eduardo Niebla (guitar, 1973-78), Paco Ortega (keyboards, 1973-76), Benet Nogué (keyboards, 1976-78), Miguel A. Blasco (bass, 1976-77), Jean Pierre Gomez (bass, 1977), Jaume Rivera (bass, 1977-78) Background Atila formed in Girona in 1973 as a trio built […]
Rhythm Heritage was an American studio-based funk band, formed by conductor/keyboardist Michael Omartian to record the theme for the 1975 television crime-drama S.W.A.T. The success of that single prompted three albums of cover instrumentals between 1976 and 1978 on ABC Records and a fourth on MCA. Members: Michael Omartian (keyboards), Scott Edwards (bass), Ed Greene […]
Skeletal Family was an English goth-rock band from Keighley that debuted with singles on Luggage Label and Red Rhino Records in 1983, followed on the latter by the album Burning Oil and the extended-play Recollect in 1984. A second Red Rhino full-length, Futile Combat, appeared in 1985. Briefly signed to U.K. Chrysalis, the band issued […]
Flea was an Italian symphonic/hard-rock band that appeared with a 1971 album as Flea on the Honey. As Flea, they made the 1972 album Topi o Uomini on Fonit Cetra. They morphed into the jazz-rock Etna for a 1975 self-titled album. Members: Tony [Antonio Marangolo] (vocals, keyboards, flute, harmonica), Charlie [Carlo Pennisi] (guitar, mandolin, vocals), […]
The Au Pairs were an English art-punk/funk band from Birmingham that released two singles on 021 Records, followed by the 1981/82 albums Playing With a Different Sex and Sense and Sensuality. Members: Lesley Woods (vocals, guitar), Paul Foad (guitar, vocals), Pete Hammond (drums), Jane Munro (bass, vocals, 1979-83), Nick O’Connor (bass, keyboards, 1983), Jayne Morris […]
Y&T (Yesterday and Today) is an American hard-rock/metal band, formed in 1972 in Oakland, California. They signed with London Records for the 1976–78 albums Yesterday and Today and Struck Down, then moved to A&M for the 1981–85 albums Earthshaker, Black Tiger, Mean Streak, In Rock We Trust, Down for the Count, and the live Open […]
Hotel was an American melodic-rock band from Birmingham, Alabama, that released the 1979/80 MCA albums Hotel and Half Moon Silver. Members: Marc Phillips (keyboards, guitar, lead vocals), George Creasman (bass, vocals), Lee Bargeron (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Tommy Calton (guitar), Michael Reid (guitar), Michael Cadenhead (drums, percussion, vocals) Background Hotel formed in Birmingham in early 1973 […]
Christian Boulé (1951 – 2002) was a French space-rock guitarist and composer who played on the first three Clearlight albums and toured with Steve Hillage. As a solo artist, Boulé made the 1978/79 Polydor albums Photo Musik and Non-Fiction. Background Christian Boulé was born on February 12, 1951, in Clichy, France. He grew up in […]
Daughters of Albion were an American vocal-pop/psych duo from Los Angeles that released a 1968 album on Fontana. Members: Greg Dempsey (vocals, guitar), Kathy Yesse [aka Kathy Dalton] (vocals) Background Daughters of Albion emerged from the Los Angeles pop circuit in 1968 as a duo comprised of Greg Dempsey and Kathy Yesse (aka Kathy Dalton), […]
Hot Chocolate was an American soul-funk trio from Cleveland that released a 1971 album on Co Co Records. Members: Lou Ragland (vocals, guitar), George Pickett (bass), Tony Roberson (drums) For the namesake British hitmakers, click here. Background Hot Chocolate formed in Cleveland in 1970 when singer-guitarist Lou Ragland assembled bassist George Pickett and drummer Tony […]
High Voltage was an American soul-funk band that released a self-titled album on Columbia in 1972. Several members surfaced in the namesake band of vocalist Maxayn Lewis, including her organist husband Andre Lewis, who later recorded four albums as the phantom space-funkster Mandré. Members: Lalomie Washburn (vocals), Tony Maiden (vocals, guitar), Bobby Watson (bass), Fred […]
Zzebra was an English ethno jazz-funk band that released the 1974–75 Polydor albums Zzebra and Panic. Material for a third album, recorded in 1975, appeared in 1999 (with the same cover as the US Panic). They featured guitarist Terry Smith (If), percussionist–saxophonist Loughty Amao (Osibisa), and keyboardist Tommy Eyre (Riff Raff). Members: Loughty Amao (vocals, […]
