Sam Sanders (Nov. 19, 1937 — Oct. 18, 2000) was an American jazz-funk saxophonist who recorded the 1975 set Mirror, Mirror, followed by the 1983 album The Gift of Love. Background Sam Sanders was born on November 19, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama. During the fifties, he attended Northeastern High School in Detroit, where his school […]
Terreno Baldio was a Brazilian art-rock band that released a 1976 self-titled album, followed by the 1977 Continental title Além das Lendas Brasileiras. Members: João Carlos Kurk (vocals, flute, percussion), Mozart de Mello (guitar), Ronaldo Lazzarini (keyboards), Ascenção (bass), Joaquim (drums, percussion), Ayres Braga (bass) Formation Terreno Baldio (Portuguese for “Wasteland”) formed in 1973 in […]
Dekka Danse was a Scottish synthpop band that cut a 1982 DJM standalone single, followed by the 1984 CBS album Waltz in the Wilderness. The band evolved from an earlier act, The Shapiros, which issued a 1979 one-off single on small-press Now. Members: John Innes (vocals), Alan Morrison (guitar), Jon Smith (keyboards), Eric Grant (bass), […]
Eric Dunbar is an American R&B pianist, organist, songwriter, arranger, and singer from New Orleans who released the 1976 album Freeway on tax-scam imprint TSG Records. He began his professional career with City News Band and arranged two 1976/77 singles for New Orleans soul singer Jean Knight. Background Eric Dunbar was born in 1951 in […]
The Purple Gang was an English psychedelic jug-band from Stockport that released the much-comped 1967 toy-town classic “Granny Takes a Trip” on BIG t. The song appears on their singular album Strikes!, issued in 1968 on Transatlantic. Members: Peter “Lucifer” Walker (vocals, kazoo), Joe Beard (guitar), Trevor “Ank” Langley (jug), Geoff Bowyer (washboard, piano, vocals, […]
Day of Phoenix was a Danish post-psych band that released the 1970–72 albums Wide Open N-way and The Neighbour’s Son. Members: Cy Nicklin (guitar, vocals, 1968-69), Karsten Lyng Nielsen (guitar), Jess Stæhr Nielsen (bass, 1968-69), Ole Prehn (guitar, acoustic guitar), Henrik Friis Nielsen (drums, percussion), Hans Lauridsen (vocals, 1969), Erik Stedt Rasmussen (bass, piano, 1969) […]
Secos & Molhados were a Brazilian art-pop/folk trio that embraced the glam image on their first two albums, released in 1973/74 on Continental. They later surfaced on Philips (1978–80) with a second pair self-titled albums. Members: João Ricardo (acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals), João Carlos (guitar, 1971), Fred (guitar, 1971), Ney Matogrosso (vocals, 1972-74), Gerson Conrad […]
Fire was an English psych-rock trio responsible for the freakbeat classic “Father’s Name Is Dad” (b/w “Treacle Toffee World”), released in 1968 on Decca. In 1970, they released The Magic Shoemaker, a folk-rock concept album on Pye. In 1972, frontman Dave Lambert joined Strawbs for a six-year, seven-album run. His solo album, Framed, appeared in […]
Kaleidoscope was an English pop-psych band that released two albums on Fontana: Tangerine Dream (1967) and Faintly Blowing (1969). In 1970, they issued From Home to Home on Vertigo as Fairfield Parlour. Their proposed fourth album (a double) was recorded in 1970/71 but vaulted until 1991, when it appeared as White Faced Lady. Members: Peter […]
PSI was a German jazz-rock band that issued the 1977 album Horizonte and launched the career of keyboardist Matthias Frey. Members: Bodo Feldmann (bass, vocals), Matthias Frey (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Volkmar Zimmermann (guitar, vocals), Robert Jahn (drums, percussion, vocals), Wilfried Kunkler (tenor saxophone, horns, percussion, vocals) Inception PSI formed in 1975 in Wiesbaden around teenage […]
Casa das Máquinas was a Brazilian symphonic/hard-rock band that released three albums between 1974 and 1976 on Som Livre. Members: Simbas (vocals, 1976-79), José Aroldo Binda (acoustic guitar, guitar, vocals, 1972-76), Carlos Geraldo Carge (bass, vocals, 1972-76), Luiz Franco Thomaz (drums, percussion), Mário Testoni Jr. (organ, keyboards, piano), Mário Franco Thomaz (drums, vocals), Carlos Roberto […]
Arrigo Barnabé is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and composer who formed Banda Sabor de Veneno for the 1980 self-pressed album Clara Crocodilo. He went solo with Janete, a 1982 EP followed by the 1984–86 Barclay albums Tubarões Voadores and Cidade Oculta. Background Arrigo Barnabé was born on September 14, 1951, in Londrina, a major city in […]
A Barca do Sol was a Brazilian folk-pop/psych band that released the 1974–76 Continental albums A Barca do Sol and Durante o Verão, followed in 1979 with Pirata. Members: Jaques Morelenbaum (vocals, piano, cello), Nando Carneiro (guitar, vocals), Mauri Costa (guitar), Marcelo Costa (drums), Beto Rezende (viola, guitar), Marcos Stull (bass, 1973-75), Richard Court (flute, […]
Begnagrad was a Yugoslav avant-garde/trad band from Ljubljana, located in modern-day Slovenia. In 1982, the band released a self-titled album on ZKP RTVLJ that was reissued in 1990 as Konzert for a Broken Dance. Material for a proposed earlier album, recorded in 1977, was finally issued as Tastare (Theoldwones) in 1992. Members: Bratko Bibič (accordion, […]
Sunday’s Child was an American teenage soul-pop trio that released a 1970 album on Reprise. Singer Ren Woods later surfaced as a stage actress and soul-funk solo artist. Members: Ilene Anderson (vocals), Mary Lou Anderson (vocals), Renee “Ren” Woods (vocals) Background Sunday’s Child formed in Los Angeles in the late 1960s as a trio of […]
Street was an American soul-rock band from New York City that released a 1968 self-titled album on Verve Forecast. Members: Michael Lynne (guitar, bass, vocals), Will Betz (bass, guitar), Anya Cohen (vocals, tambourine, percussion), Tom Champion (drums, percussion), John Williamson (guitar, bass, vocals), Al Camardo (percussion) Background Street formed as Anya’s Street in 1967 in […]
Kollektiv was a German jazz-psych/jam band that released a self-titled album on Brain in 1973. That same year, the band were documented live and in a volume of SWF sessions that were ultimately released in the 21st century by archivists Long Hair. Members: Jürgen Havix (guitar, zither), Klaus Dapper (flute, saxophone), Jürgen “Jogi” Karpenkiel (bass), […]
Compost was an American jazz-rock band from N.Y.C. that released the 1971–73 albums Take Off Your Body and Life Is Round on CBS/Columbia. Members: Jack DeJohnette (vocals, keyboards, drums), Harold Vick (tenor saxophone, flute, bass violin, clarinet, piano), Jack Gregg (bass, guitar, vocals), Bob Moses (drums, vocals), Jumma Santos (congas, percussion) Background Compost formed in […]
Alcatrazz was a multi-national metal band formed in Los Angeles by English vocalist Graham Bonnet (Marbles, Rainbow) and Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. With this lineup, the band released the 1983 album No Parole From Rock ‘n’ Roll on RCA and a 1984 live album on Rocshire. Malmsteen’s place was taken by Steve Vai for the […]
The Saints were an Australian rock band from Brisbane that issued the 1976 punk single “I’m Stranded” on self-press Fatal, followed by the 1977–78 Harvest albums (I’m) Stranded, Eternally Yours, and Prehistoric Sounds. After a round of Eighties albums on New Rose Records, they scored a 1986 comeback with the Polydor release All Fools Day […]
Swingers were a Kiwi new wave band that released the 1981 album Practical Jokers. Their single “Counting the Beat” reached No. 1 in New Zealand and Australia. They appear in the 1982 Australian musical comedy Starstruck. Guitarist–singer Phil Judd was a founding member of Split Enz. Members: Phil Judd (vocals, guitar), Dwayne “Bones” Hillman (bass […]
Libra was an Italian symphonic/jazz-rock/funk band that made the 1975 album Musica e Parole on Ricordi. The album appeared abroad as a self-titled release on Motown, which also carried their 1976 followup Winter Day’s Nightmare. Libra also made the soundtrack to the 1977 horror film Schock (Transfert-Suspence-Hypnos). Members: Federico D’Andrea (vocals, guitar, 1973-76), Franco Ventura […]
Fiction Factory was a Scottish synthpop band that released the album Throw the Warped Wheel Out with accompanying singles on CBS in 1984, followed by Another Story on Foundry Records in 1985. Members: Kevin Patterson (vocals), Chic Medley (guitar), Graham McGregor (bass), Eddie Jordan (keyboards), Mike Ogletree (drums, percussion) Background Fiction Factory had its roots […]
Edgewood was an American hard-rock/psych band from Memphis that released the 1972 album Ship of Labor on TMI Records. Members: David Beaver (vocals, keyboards), Pat Taylor (vocals, guitar), David Mayo (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Jim Tarbutton (guitar), Steve Spear (bass), Joel Williams (drums, percussion), Mike Bleecker (drums, percussion, 1970) Background Edgewood formed in 1970 in Memphis, […]
First Aid was an English symphonic-rock band that released the album Nostradamus on Decca in 1976. The album draws on prophesies of the famed seer, including his prediction that the world would end in 1986, ten years on from the album’s release. Members: Alan Wormald (guitar and vocals), Norrie Tennet (bass), Keith Parkinson (keyboards), Dave […]
The Originals were an American soul group from Detroit that released seven albums on Motown’s Soul imprint between 1969 and 1977, followed by a pair of 1978/79 albums on Fantasy. They were formed by graduates of Berry Gordy’s session singers The Voice Masters and featured vocalist Freddie Gorman, an early Motown staff writer. Their R&B […]
White Noise was the electronic/experimental musical project of English keyboardist, composer, and double-bassist David Vorhaus. The project initially yielded the album An Electric Storm, recorded with members of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and released on Island in 1969. Vorhaus revitalized the White Noise nameplate for the album Concerto For Synthesizer on Virgin in 1975, followed […]
Katamaran was a German jazz-rock band that released three albums on pläne Records: the 1977–80 titles Katamaran, Cafe Florian, and Footprints. Members: Wolf Burbat (flute, synthesizer, piano), Roland Schmitt (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone), Franz Holtmann (guitar), Dago Dombrowski (bass, percussion), Rudi Marhold (drums, percussion), Waldemar Karpenkiel (percussion), Kurt Billker (drums), Hermann Mensing (percussion), Heinz-Günther Hemkendreis […]
Aquelarre was an Argentine hard-rock/psych band that released four albums between 1974 and 1975 on the Trova and Talent labels. Bassist Emilio Del Güercio and drummer Rodolfo García hailed from local rock pioneers Almendra. Members: Emilio Del Güercio (bass, guitar, flute, vocals), Héctor Starc (guitar, vocals), Rodolfo García (drums, vocals), Hugo González Neira (keyboards, vocals) […]
Romeo Void was an American New Wave band from San Francisco that released the EP Never Say Never and the album It’s a Condition on local-press 415 Records in 1981, followed by two albums on Columbia between 1982 and 1984. Members: Debora Iyall (vocals), Peter Woods (guitar), Benjamin Bossi (saxophone), Frank Zincavage (bass), John “Stench” […]
Cherry Five was an Italian symphonic-rock band that released a 1975 self-titled album on Cinevox. Guitarist Massimo Morante and bassist Fabio Pignatelli continued in Goblin. Members: Tony Tartarini [aka Toni Gionta] (vocals), Claudio Simonetti (keyboards), Massimo Morante (guitar), Fabio Pignatelli (bass), Carlo Bordini (drums) Background Cherry Five formed in 1973 in Rome. The group originally […]
Bloodrock was an American hard-rock band that released six studio albums and a live double-LP on Capitol between 1970 and 1974. Their first lineup cut the riff-heavy albums Bloodrock, Bloodrock 2, Bloodrock 3, and Bloodrock U.S.A. with singer–drummer Jim Rutledge and guitarist Lee Pickens. “D.O.A.” gave the band its lone Top 40 hit in 1971. […]
Quill was an American psych-rock band from Massachusetts that released a 1970 album on Cotillion. Drummer Roger North played in a later edition of the Holy Modal Rounders. Members: Dan Cole (vocals, guitar, trombone), Norm Rogers (guitar, bass, cello, vocals), Jon Cole (bass, guitar, vocals), Phil Thayer (keyboards, bass, saxophone, vocals), Roger North (drums, vocals) […]
Ptarmigan was a Canadian symphonic-folk band from Duncan, BC, that released a 1974 self-titled album on Columbia. Members: Michael Bieling (congas, 1970-71), James Lithgow (guitar, 1970-71), Glen Dias (vocals, alto recorder, tenor recorder, bass recorder, percussion), Dennis Lelonde (alto saxophone, percussion, vocals, 1970-71), Monte Nordstrom (12-string guitar, vocals, 1970-74), Shawn Mullins (percussion, 1970-71), Peter Wheeler […]
Snafu was an English rustic funk-rock band behind the 1973–74 WWA albums Snafu and Situation Normal, followed by the 1975 Capitol release All Funked Up. Frontman Bobby Harrison played in the initial Procol Harum lineup that recorded their 1967 hit “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” As Snafu folded, he went solo with Funkist. Other players […]
Fred Locks — aka Stafford Elliot — is a Jamaican reggae artist who released the 1976 Vulcan album Black Star Liners / True Rastaman, followed by two albums with the Creation Steppers on Revelations and Regal. Background Fred Locks was born Stafford Elliott on June 7, 1950, in Kingston, Jamaica. His father played guitar while […]
5 Hand Reel was an English/Scottish folk-rock band that released three albums between 1976 and 1978 on RCA Victor, followed by a 1979 fourth on Topic Records. Members: Bobby Eaglesham (vocals, mandolin, guitar, dulcimer, side drum), Tom Hickland (vocals, fiddle, keyboards, organ), Barry Lyons (bass, keyboards, whistle), Dave Tulloch (percussion, side drum, harmonica), Chuck Fleming […]
The Real Thing was an English soul-funk quartet from Liverpool that released seven singles between 1972 and 1975 on Bell, EMI, and Pye. In 1976, they scored back-to-back chart-toppers with “You to Me Are Everything” and “Can’t Get By Without You,” both included on their debut album. They followed with the 1977–79 Pye albums 4 […]
Ancient Grease was a Welsh hard-rock/psych band that was active between 1967 and 1970. The band’s singular album, Women and Children First, appeared on Mercury during their final year together. Frontman Gareth “Morty” Mortimer later headed Rhondda funk-rockers Racing Cars for three albums during the late ’70s. Members: Gareth “Morty” Mortimer (vocals), Jack Bass (bass), […]
L’ Orchestre Sympathique was a Québécois jazz-rock band that released the 1979 album En concert à la Grande Passe, followed by two further live albums. Members: Jean Vanasse (vibraphone, percussion), François Richard (flute, piano), Mathieu Léger (drums), Claude Chapleau (bass, 1976), Christopher Fleshner (bass, 1976-77), Warren Stolow (bass, 1978-80), Jacques Laurin (bass, 1980-82) Background L’ […]
Atmosfear was an English funk band from London that released the 1981 MCA album En Trance and scored a UK club hit with “Dancing in Outer Space.” Members: Andy Sojka (guitar, rhythm guitar), Antony Antoniou (vocals, rhythm guitar), Leslie Bachelor (bass, keyboards), Ray Johnson (drums), Stewart Gawthorne (saxophone), Jerry Pike (percussion, sound effects) Background Atmosfear […]
Gnidrolog was an English symphonic-folk-rock band that released the albums …In Spite of Harry’s Toe-Nail and Lady Lake, both on RCA Victor in 1972. Led by twin brothers Colin and Stewart Goldring, they brought woodwinds and folk instruments into the rock format. Members: Colin Goldring (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, recorder, tenor saxophone, alto […]
Starpoint was an American soul-funk band from Annapolis, Maryland, that made ten albums between 1980 and 1990 on Chocolate City and Elektra. Their sound evolved from lean disco-funk to a mix of boogie, dance-floor R&B, and synthesizer-led crossover soul. They scored a crossover hit with “Object of My Desire” from their 1985 album Restless. Members: […]
Fotomaker was an American hard-rock/pop band from NYC that made the 1978/79 Atlantic albums Fotomaker, Vis-à-Vis, and Transfer Station. Members: Frankie Vinci (lead vocals, keyboards, flute), Gene Cornish (bass, vocals), Dino Danelli (drums, percussion), Lex Marchesi (guitar, vocals), Wally Bryson (guitar, vocals, 1978) Background Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli had played together in The Rascals […]
Aut’chose was a Québécois rock band formed in 1974 by poet-vocalist Lucien Francoeur and guitarist-composer Pierre-André Gauthier. They released three albums between February 1975 and October 1976 and received a Juno nomination for Most Promising New Group. Members: Lucien Francoeur (vocals), Mike Gauthier (bass guitar), Pierre Gauthier (guitar), Jacques Lalumière (drums), Chris Castle (drums), Jean-Paul […]
Legend was an English heavy metal band from Jersey island that released the 1981–82 albums Legend and Death in the Nursery and the EP Frontline on local-press Workshop. Members: Mike Lezala (vocals), Peter Haworth (guitar), Marco Morosino (guitar, 1980-82), Eggy Aubert (bass, 1980-82, 2003-present), David Whitley (drums, 1980-84), Neil Haworth (bass, guitar 1982-84, 2011-present) Formation […]
Group 1850 was a Dutch psych-rock band from Den Haag that released five singles on GTB and Philips between 1966 and 1968, culminating with the album Agemo’s Trip to Mother Earth on Discofoon. A second album and two further singles appeared over the subsequent two-year period, after which the nameplate was benched until a pair […]
Third Ear Band was an English free-folk band that released the 1969–70 albums Alchemy and Third Ear Band and the 1972 soundtrack Music from Macbeth on Harvest. Members: Glen Sweeney (percussion), Paul Minns (oboe, recorder, 1968-88), Richard Coff (violin, 1968-70, 1971), Mel Davis (cello, 1968-69), Ursula Smith (cello, 1969-70, 1988-89), Paul Buckmaster (cello, bass, 1969, […]
Fairchild was an American symphonic/hard-rock band from Minneapolis that released a 1978 self-titled album on small-press Flight Records. They made a second DIY album in 1982 through ITB, followed by a 1985 third on Gold Mountain. Members: Brian Kinney (vocals, keyboards), Mike Ricci (vocals), Tom Riopelle (guitar, vocals), Richard Wieser (bass, vocals), Palmer Harbison (keyboards, […]
Asia was an American symphonic hard-rock band from Rapid City, South Dakota, that released the 1979–80 ASI albums Asia and Armed to the Teeth. The lineup united White Wing alumni Mike Coates and Michael English with Free Flite singer–guitarist Larry Galbraith and Nebraska drummer John Haynes. Conflicting claims to the Asia name later led the […]
Northwind was a Scottish folk-rock band from Glasgow that released the album Sister, Brother, Lover… in 1971 on Regal Zonophone. Two Apple Corps acetates cut in 1970 and studio tapes from 1973 later supplied Peaceful, an archival LP issued in 2024 by Bright Carvings. Members: Brian Young (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals), Tommy Ewing (vocals), […]
Hydravion was a French electronic combo that made a 1977 album on Cobra Records, followed by the 1979 Carrère release Stratos Airlines. Members: Philippe Besombes (Moog, synthesizers, Mellotron, electric piano, guitar, vocals), Cooky Rhinosceros (guitar), Patrick Verbeke (guitar), Christ Saint Roch (bass), Pierre Battaillet (drums), Dominique Esnault (drums) Background Hydravion began as a Paris studio […]
Avalanche was an Australian hard-rock band from Melbourne that released a 1976 self-titled album on Bootleg Records, a subsidiary of Fable. Members: Tony Naylor (guitar), Adrian Campbell (vocals), Geoff Cox (drums, 1976-77), Clive Harrison (bass, 1976-77), John Barnes (drums, 1977), Barry Cram (drums, 1977), Graham Thompson (bass, 1977), Gerard McCabe (keyboards, 1977) Background Avalanche formed […]
However was an American symphonic-rock band formed in 1977 by Peter Princiotto, Bobby Read, Bill Kotapish, and Joe “Stellar” Princiotto. The group released the 1981 Random Radar album Sudden Dusk and the 1985 Cuneiform followup Calling. Members: Peter Princiotto (vocals, synthesizer, piano, bass, clavinet, guitar, bass, pedals, kalimba, autoharp, bells, violin), Bobby Read (vocals, alto […]
Light Year was an American symphonic/jazz-rock band from San Francisco, active from 1974 to 1976 on the Bay Area club circuit. New Music–Green Tree later issued the group’s archival recordings on Reveal the Fantastic and Hypernauts of the Absolute Elsewhere. Members: Cornelius Williams (piano, keyboards), Zak McGrath (drums), Randy Sellgren (guitar), John Yu (bass), Doug […]
Maelstrom was a Québécois symphonic-art-rock band that recorded an album’s worth of material in 1976, released four decades later on ProgQuébec. Members: Denis Poliquin (guitar, saxophone, lead vocals), Jacques Montminy (keyboards, vocals), Gérard Masse (drums, vocals), Michel Dulac (bass, vocals), Roland Robitaille (bass, vocals), Jean Hudon (bass, vocals), Robert Lépine (vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, percussion), Denis […]
Wolfgang Riechmann (May 14, 1947 — Aug. 24, 1978) was a German keyboardist who joined Streetmark for their 1977 second album, Eileen. Concurrently, he prepared a solo album before his murder by two assailants on the streets of Düsseldorf. His only album, Wunderbar, appeared later that year on Sky Records. Background Wolfgang Riechmann got his […]
15-60-75 (aka the Numbers Band) was an American avant-rock ensemble from Kent, Ohio, that released the live album Jimmy Bell’s Still in Town in 1976 on self-press Water Brothers. After a six-year gap, they issued the 1982–87 studio albums 15.60.75 2 and Among the Wandering. Members: Robert Kidney (vocals, guitar), Terry Hynde (alto saxophone, baritone […]
Mainhorse was a symphonic-psych band formed in 1969 by London-based Swiss musicians. They released a self-titled album on Polydor in 1971 and a film-theme single on Évasion in 1972. Keyboardist Patrick Moraz did brief stints in Refugee and Yes, then launched a prolific solo career. Members: Patrick Moraz (keyboards, vocals), Jean Ristori (bass, cello, vocals), […]
Moonrider was an English rustic-rock band that released a self-titled album on small-press Anchor Records in 1975. The band featured ex-Tomorrow vocalist Keith West and once-Quiver/future-Attractions bassist Bruce Thomas. Members: Brian “Chico” Greenwood (drums), Bruce Thomas (bass), John Weider (guitar, vocals), Keith West (guitar, vocals) Background The band developed through ties between Keith West and […]
Cochise was an English rustic-rock band that released three albums on United Artists/Liberty between 1970 and 1972. Members: B.J. Cole (steel guitar, cello), Willie Wilson (drums, percussion), Mick Grabham (guitar, piano, keyboards, vocals), Rick Wills (bass, vocals), Stewart A. Brown (guitar, vocals), John Gilbert (vocals), Roy O’Temro (drums) Inception Cochise formed in 1969 when steel […]
Shalamar was an American soul-funk vocal trio from N.Y.C. that debuted with an album on Don Cornelius’ Soul Train imprint in 1977, followed by 10 further albums on parent-label Solar between 1978 and 1990. Co-founder Jody Watley left the group in 1983 and scored several solo hits in the late 1980s. Members: Gary Mumford (lead […]
Den za Den was a Yugoslav jazz-rock band from Skopje in modern-day Macedonia. In 1980, the band released a self-titled album on ZKP RTVLJ. Members: Vladimir Jankulovski (bass), Dragiša Soldatović (keyboards, piano, Moog), Dimitar Čočorovski (drums, percussion), Siniša Stojanovski (guitar, 1978), Arian Dema (guitar, 1978-80) Background Den za Den formed as an instrumental jazz-rock quartet […]
Masters of Deceit was an American psychedelic rock band that released the 1969 Vangaurd album Hensley’s Electric Jazz Band and Synthetic Symphonette. Members: Gary Campbell (bass, vocals), Stan Gage (drums), Steve Blum (guitar, bass), Tom Hensley (organ, clavinet, piano, lead vocals, tenor saxophone) Inception Masters of Deceit formed in Indianapolis, Indiana, around pianist–composer Tom Hensley, […]
Zerra One was an Irish modern-rock band that released three indie singles and a 1984 self-titled album, produced by Todd Rundgren, followed in 1987 with The Domino Effect, produced by Barry Blue. Members: Paul Bell (vocals, keyboards), Andreas Grimminger (guitar), Adrian Wyatt (bass), Korda Marshall (drums, 1983-87), Mike Mesbur (drums, 1982-83) Background Zerra One formed […]
Alice Clark (c.1947 – April 2004) was an American soul singer from Brooklyn who cut two 1968 singles and a 1972 self-titled album. Early Singles Alice Clark grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. In 1968, Billy Vera — then in a singing duo with Judy Clay — wrote and produced her first […]
Tami Lynn — aka Gloria Brown (born 1942) — is an American soul singer from New Orleans who released the 1972 album Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone. Background Tami Lynn was born Gloria Jean Brown on January 25, 1939, in Gert Town, New Orleans, Louisiana. Brown attended R.T. Danneel #2 Elementary School, where […]
Message was a German-British Krautrock band that made the 1972/73 Bacillus hard-rock albums The Dawn Anew Is Coming and From Books and Dreams, followed by the 1975/76 Nova jazz-rock albums Message and Synapse. Amid shifting lineups, they cut the 1977/78 Brain titles Using the Head and Astral Journeys and their 1980 Spiegelei swan song Miles […]
China Crisis are an English art-pop band from Kirkby, Merseyside, that released five albums on Virgin between 1982 and 1989. Members: Gary Daly (vocals, keyboards), Eddie Lundon (guitar, vocals), Dave Reilly (percussion, 1982), Gazza Johnson (bass, 1982-95), Kevin Wilkinson (drums, 1983-95), Brian McNeill (keyboards, 1983-84) Background China Crisis was formed in Kirkby, near Liverpool, in […]
Aviator was an English rock supergroup formed by members of Caravan, Jethro Tull, and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. They released the 1979/80 Harvest albums Aviator and Turbulence. Members: Mick Rogers (guitar, vocals), John G. Perry (bass), Jack Lancaster (woodwind), Clive Bunker (drums) Background Clive Bunker drummed for Jethro Tull from 1968–71 and did session work […]
The Piranhas were an English ska band from Brighton that released six singles between 1978 and 1983 on Virgin, Attrix, Ariola/Hansa, and Dakota. In 1980, they released a self-titled album on Sire/Hansa with cover-art by singer/guitarist Johnny Helmer, who later became a novelist and lyricist for other acts. Members: Johnny Helmer (vocals, lead guitar), Bob […]
Savage Grace was an American psychedelic hard-rock band that released two self-titled albums in 1970–71 on Reprise. Members: Ron Koss (vocals, guitar), Al Jacquez (vocals, bass), John Seanor (piano, harpsichord, keyboards), Larry Zack (drums, percussion) Background Savage Grace formed in Detroit from the ashes of The Scarlet Letter, a garage-psych act with singer–guitarist Ron Koss, […]
White Door was an English electro/art-pop trio that cut three singles and the 1983 album Windows. They spun from Grace, a later-reactivated symphonic band. Members: Mac Austin (vocals), Harry Davies (synthesiser, flute), John Davies (synthesiser) Background White Door formed in Stoke-on-Trent between singer Mac Austin and synthesist brothers Harry Davies and John Davies. Austin and […]
Hackamore Brick was an American band from Brooklyn that released the album One Kiss Leads to Another on Kama Sutra in 1971. Members: Chick Newman (vocals, piano, guitar), Robbie Biegel, Bob Roman, Tommy Moonlight (vocals, piano, guitar) Background Hackamore Brick formed in Brooklyn, New York, when keyboardist Chick Newman, who had been playing Farfisa organ […]
Kandahar was a Belgian art-rock/jazz-rock band that released the 1974/75 albums Long Live the Sliced Ham and In the Court of Catherina Squeezer, followed by the 1978 title Pictures From the Past. Members: Jeff De Visscher (lead guitar, acoustic guitar, sitar, vocals), Karel Bogard (piano, clavinet, synthesizer, gong, bells, vocals), Jean Pierre Claeys (bass), Etienne […]
Mad Curry was a Belgian jazz-rock/psych band that released a 1970 self-titled album and a standalone single on the Pirate’s label. Members: Viona Westra (vocals), Giorgio Chitschenko (saxophone), Danny Rousseau (organ), Jean Andore (bass), Eddy Kane (drums) Background Mad Curry formed in Antwerp in 1970 as a five-member group with singer–percussionist Viona Westra, saxophonist Joosk […]
Industry was an American New Wave/synthpop band from NYC, formed in 1978 as Industrial Complex by ex-Cathedral drummer Mercury Caronia. The initial combo released an eponymous 1980 EP on Metro Records. After a lineup overhaul that roped-in fellow Cathedral alumnus Rudy Perrone, the band issued a second EP, Turning to Light, in 1981 on self-press […]
The Boston Tea Party was an American psychedelic garage-rock band from Burbank, California, that cut two 1967 singles and a 1968 album. Members: Travis Fields (vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar), Richard DePerna (bass), Robert “Mike” DePerna (organ), David “Dave” Novogroski (drums) Background The Boston Tea Party evolved from a backyard surf band formed in 1963 by […]
Boffalongo was an American psych-rock band from NYC that released the 1969/70 albums Boffalongo and Beyond Your Head on United Artists. Members: Keith Ginsberg (guitar), Larry Hoppen (bass, vocals, guitar), Basil Matychak (vocals, keyboards), Ritchie (drums) Background Boffalongo formed in 1968 at Ithaca College where guitarist Keith Ginsberg and singer/keyboardist Basil Matychak teamed with bassist […]
Starcrost was an American jazz-funk/soul band from Austin that released a self-titled album on Fable Records in 1976. Members: Liza Farrow (vocals), John Mills (saxophone), Michael Mordecai (trombone), David Deaton (keyboards), Jim Spector (bass), Paul Pearcy (drums) Background Starcrost formed in 1975 when vocalist/pianist Liza Farrow and saxophonist/flutist John Mills united through Austin’s jazz scene. […]
Kursaal Flyers were an English comedy-rock/pub band from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, that released two albums on Decca-subsidiary UK Records in 1975, followed by Golden Mile on CBS in 1976. Guitarist Graeme Douglas joined Eddie and the Hot Rods in time for their 1977 sophomore effort Life on the Line. Drummer Will Birch and late-period guitarist John […]
