Sandy Denny — aka Alexandra Elene Maclean Denny (Jan. 6, 1947 — April 21, 1978) — was an English singer/songwriter from London who initially recorded for Saga Records in 1967, appearing on split-albums with folkies Alex Campbell and Johnny Silvo. In 1968, she passed through a formative lineup of the Strawbs before joining Fairport Convention, […]
Sally Oldfield (born Aug. 3, 1947) is an English-Irish singer and composer, born in Dublin and raised in Reading, Berkshire. In 1968, she formed the folk-psych duo Sallyangie with her younger brother Mike Oldfield, aged 15 at the time of their singular album Children of the Sun, released that year on Transatlantic Records. Between 1973 […]
Roger Daltrey (born March 1, 1944) is an English vocalist from Hammersmith, known internationally as the frontman of The Who for more than 55 years. He began his performing career in 1962 when he co-founded The Detours, a pre-beat combo that first recorded as the High Numbers before settling on the Who nameplate in 1965. […]
Roger Chapman (born April 8, 1942) is an English vocalist and songwriter from Leicester who rose to prominence as the frontman of the hard-rock/soul band Family, which released seven albums between 1968 and 1973. In 1974, Chapman and Family-guitarist Charles Whitney issued the collaborative effort Streetwalkers, which spawned the pair’s subsequent namesake band that released […]
Robert Plant (born Aug. 20, 1948) is an English vocalist and songwriter from West Bromwich who shot to global fame as the frontman of hard-rock legends Led Zeppelin, which released eight studio albums between 1969 and 1979. As a solo artist, he debuted with the 1982 album Pictures at Eleven on Zeppelin-imprint Swan Song, followed […]
Nick Drake (June 19, 1948 — Nov. 25, 1974) was an English singer/songwriter and guitarist who released three albums on Island between 1969 and 1972: Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter, and Pink Moon. In 1974, he completed four songs for a proposed album before his death that year from a prescription-med overdose. The songs were […]
Mick Ronson (May 26, 1946 — April 29, 1993) was an English guitarist and producer from Kingston upon Hull who rose to prominence as a member of David Bowie‘s 1970–73 backing band The Spiders from Mars. During this time, he also laid licks on select recordings by Lou Reed, Michael Chapman, and Dana Gillespie. As […]
Elkie Brooks (born Feb. 25, 1945) is an English soul-pop vocalist who recorded three singles apiece on Decca and His Master’s Voice during the mid-’60s. In 1970, she formed the jazz-rock-soul big band Dada with her guitarist husband Pete Gage and singer Paul Korda. They released one album before Korda cleared for Robert Palmer and […]
Colin Newman (born Sept. 16, 1954) is an English musician, vocalist, and songwriter from Salisbury, Wiltshire, best known as the frontman of New Wave/art-punk band Wire, which he led through three periods of activity between 1976 and the 21st century. He initially recorded three 1977–79 studio albums with the band before launching his solo career […]
The Normal was the imaginary band moniker of English producer Daniel Miller (born Feb. 14, 1951), who used the name on the seminal, self-recorded electro-punk single “T.V.O.D.” / “Warm Leatherette,” issued in November 1978 on self-press Mute Records. He subsequently used the band moniker Silicon Teens for the self-recorded electro-covers album Music for Parties in […]
2.3 were an English post-punk trio from Sheffield that released the single “All Time Low” / “Where to Now?” on small-press Fast Product in 1978. The band initially called itself 2.3 Children, based on the average number of children beared per U.S. household. Both their songs were included with early sides by labelmates The Human […]
Paul Brett’s Sage were an English folk-rock band that released a self-titled album on Pye in 1970, followed by two further albums on Dawn in 1971 and 1972. The band was fronted by guitarist/songwriter Paul Brett, who subsequently recorded as a solo artist. Members: Paul Brett (vocals, guitar), Dick Dufall (bass), Bob Voice (drums), Nicky […]
Paul Brett (born June 20, 1947) is an English folk-psych guitarist and composer from Fulham, Greater London, who briefly played in the bands Tintern Abbey and Velvet Opera during the late 1960s. Between 1970 and 1972, he fronted the folk-rock combo Sage for three albums on Pye and Dawn. As a solo artist, he released […]
Patrick D. Martin is an English coldwave/proto-zolo musician who released three singles on Deram and Illegal circa 1979/80. The sides were compiled on a self-titled EP, released on I.R.S. in 1981. Discography: “I Like ‘Lectric Motors” / “Time” (1979) “Computer Datin’” / “Police Paranoia” (1980) “Lucy ‘Lectric” / “Mutant” (1980) Patrick D. Martin (EP, 1981)
Paladin was an English jam-rock band that released the 1971/72 albums Paladin and Charge! on Bronze. Bassist Pete Beckett resurfaced later that decade in the L.A.-based Player. Members: Derek Foley (vocals, guitar), Pete Beckett (bass, vocals), Peter Solley (keyboards, violin), Lou Stonebridge (keyboards, vocals), Keith Webb (drums), Joe Jammer (guitar, 1972) Background Paladin formed in […]
Paice Ashton Lord was an English hard-rock band that released the album Malice in Wonderland on Oyster/Polydor in 1977. They centered on the super-trinity of vocalist Tony Ashton, organist Jon Lord, and drummer Ian Paice, the latter two of once-and-future Deep Purple fame. The project evolved from the 1974 album First of the Big Bands, […]
Pacific Drift was an English art-pop/psych band from Manchester that released the album Feelin’ Free on Deram in 1970. Members: Barry Reynolds (guitar, vocals), Brian Chapman (keyboards, vocals), Graham Harrop (guitar, bass), Lawrence Arendes (drums) Background Pacific Drift evolved from Sponge, an unrecorded psych-rock band with guitarist/bassist Graham Harrop and drummer Lawrence Arendes. Harrop played […]
Pablo Gad is an English reggae musician who released a pair of singles on Caribbean in 1977, followed by five singles on the Rockers/Vibrations imprints of Burning Sounds Recordings Ltd. between 1978 and 1980. As an album artist, he released Trafalgar Square on Celluloid in 1979, followed by Hard Times on FORM in 1980. Discography: […]
Allan Holdsworth (Aug. 6, 1946 — April 16, 2017) was an English guitarist from Bradford, West Yorkshire, who emerged in the jazz-psych band ‘Igginbottom in the late 1960s. During the 1970s, his profile rose with stints in Nucleus, Tempest, Gong, Soft Machine, UK, and Bruford. As a solo artist, he released the album Velvet Darkness […]
Airrace were an English hard-rock band from London that released the album Shaft of Light on Atlantic in 1984. Members: Laurie Mansworth (guitar), Jim Reid (bass, 1982-84, 2009-present), Phil Lewis (vocals, 1982-83), Simon Tomkins (drums, 1982-83, 1986), Keith Murrell (vocals, 1983-84, 2009-present), Toby Sadler (keyboards, 1983-84, 2009), Jason Bonham (drums, 1983-84, 2009), Ian Parry (vocals, […]
Adrian Gurvitz — aka Adrian Curtis (born June 26, 1949) — is an English guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter from London who played in the hard-rock bands Gun, Three Man Army, the Baker Gurvitz Army, and the Graeme Edge Band with his bassist brother Paul Gurvitz. Collectively, those projects produced 10 albums between 1968 and 1977. […]
Ace were an English soul-rock band from Sheffield that released three albums on Anchor between 1974 and 1977. Guitarist/vocalist Alan King hailed from ’60s modsters The Action and their psychedelic rebirth Mighty Baby. Keyboardist/vocalist Paul Carrack recorded three 1970–72 albums with brass-rockers Warm Dust and subsequently scored high-profile stints with Squeeze and Mike and the […]
A Certain Ratio were an English art-funk/New Wave band from Manchester that released a slew of shortplayers on Factory Records circa 1979/80, followed by four albums on the label between 1981 and 1986. Members: Jez Kerr (bass, vocals), Simon Topping (vocals, trumpet, percussion, 1978-83), Martin Moscrop (guitar, trumpet), Peter Terrell (guitar, electronics, 1978-82), Donald Johnson […]
999 were an English punk-rock/New Wave band from London that released two albums on United Artists in 1978, followed by a pair of titles on Polydor in the early 1980s. Guitarist/vocalist Nick Cash (real name: Keith Lucas) played alongside Ian Dury in the early 1970s retro-R&B act Kilburn and the High Roads. Members: Nick Cash […]
5 Hand Reel were an English/Scottish folk-rock band that released three albums on RCA Victor between 1976 and 1978, followed by a fourth on Topic Records in 1979. 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 […]
The Smiths were an English pop-rock band from Manchester that released four albums and two compilations of non-album material on Rough Trade between 1984 and 1987. Members: Morrissey (vocals, piano), Johnny Marr (guitar, keyboards, mandolin, bass, harmonica, 1982-87), Steven Pomfret (rhythm guitar, 1982), Dale Hibbert (bass, 1982), Mike Joyce (drums, backing vocals, 1982-87), Andy Rourke […]
Status Quo was an English hard-rock/boogie band from London that initially cut three beat singles as The Spectres circa 1966/67, followed by a fourth as The Traffic Jam in 1967. After settling on the name Status Quo, the band released four albums on Pye between 1968 and 1971, followed by 16 further studio albums on […]
Shriekback were an English ethno/art-funk band that released multiple 1982/83 shortplayers and the 1983 album Care on Y Records, followed by two albums apiece on Arista and Island between 1984 and 1988. Keyboardist/vocalist Barry Andrews hailed from the original lineup of XTC, recording two 1978 albums with the band before cutting a pair of 1979/80 […]
Shoot were an English art-pop/folk band that released the album On the Frontier on EMI in 1973. The project was headed by Yardbirds/Renaissance alumnus Jim McCarty, who would subsequently surface in Illusion. Drummer Craig Collinge hailed from Manfred Mann Chapter Three and Third World War while guitarist/vocalist Dave Green recorded two prior albums with symphonic-rockers […]
1919 were an English goth-rock band from Bradford, West Yorkshire, that released five shortplayers on Red Rhino and Abstract between 1982 and 1984. All of the band’s recordings from this period were later issued on the 2001 Anagram disc The Complete Collection. Members: Mark Tighe (guitar, 1979-2017), Ian Tilleard (lead vocals, 1979-84), Nick Hiles (bass, […]
The 13th Chime were an English goth-rock band from Haverhill, Suffolk, that released three small-press singles between 1981 and 1983. Around 1984, tracks were laid for an intended album that was ultimately released by archivists Sacred Bones in 2009. Members: Mick Hand (vocals), Gary O’Connor (guitar), Terry Taylor (bass), Ricky Cook (drums) Discography: “Cuts of […]
Silverhead were an English hard-rock band that released two albums on Deep Purple’s namesake label Purple Records in 1972/73. A live document, taken from a Nov. 1973 gig at London’s Rainbow Theatre, was issued on EMI Japan in 1975. Vocalist Michael Des Barres, known theretofore as an actor (To Sir, with Love), next appeared in […]
The Motors were an English pop-rock band from London that released three albums on Virgin between 1977 and 1980. The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist Nick Garvey and keyboardist/bassist Andy McMaster after the breakup of their prior outfit Ducks Deluxe. Garvey also appeared on the 1976 one-off single by Snakes, where he played alongside future-Wire […]
Angel Witch were an English heavy metal band from London that released a self-titled album on Bronze in 1980, followed by a pair of albums on Killerwatt during the mid-1980s. Members: Kevin Heybourne (vocals, guitar), Rob Downing (guitar, 1977-79), Steve Jones (drums, 1977), Barry Clements (bass, 1977), Kevin “Skids” Riddles (bass, 1978-81), Dave Hogg (drums, […]
All About Eve were an English art-pop band that released four singles on self-press Eden between 1985 and 1987, followed by a self-titled album in 1988 and the sophomoric Scarlet and Other Stories in 1989, both on Mercury. Members: Julianne Regan (vocals), Tim Bricheno (guitar), Andy Cousin (bass), Mark Price (drums), Marty Willson-Piper (guitar), Toni […]
Accolade was an English folk-rock band that released a self-titled album on Columbia in 1970, followed by a second on Regal Zonophone in 1971. The first album features singer–songwriter Gordon Giltrap, who later charted as an instrumental symphonic-rock musician. Members: Brian Cresswell (saxophone, flute), Gordon Giltrap (guitar, vocals), Ian Hoyle (drums), Don Partridge (guitar, vocals, […]
Mike d’Abo is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the second vocalist of Manfred Mann. He fronted the band for three albums and multiple singles, including their 1968 transatlantic hit “Mighty Quinn.” He went solo with the 1970 MCA/Uni release d’Abo, followed by the 1972–74 A&M albums Down at Rachel’s Place and Broken […]
Paul Jones is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the original vocalist of Manfred Mann. He fronted the band for two albums and multiple singles, including their 1964 British Invasion hit “Do Wah Diddy Diddy.” He went solo with a string of late ’60s titles on His Master’s Voice, culminating with the 1971 […]
Rough Diamond was an English hard-rock band that released a self-titled album in 1977 on Island Records. Singer David Byron formed the band after his dismissal from Uriah Heep. They included guitarist Clem Clempson (Colosseum, Humble Pie) and drummer Geoff Britton (East of Eden, Wings). After Bryon left for a solo career, the others carried […]
Satisfaction were an English jazz-rock/psych band from London that released a self-titled album and two singles on Decca in 1971. The band recorded a second album, Three Ages of Man, that was ultimately released in 2014 by archivists Acid Jazz. Members: Mike Cotton (trumpet, flugelhorn), John Beecham (trombone), Derek Griffiths (guitar, vocals), Bernie Higginson [aka […]
Pierre Moerlen’s Gong was a French jazz-rock band that functioned as a continuation of Gong following the departure of Daevid Allen, with percussionist Moerlen assuming the reigns. This iteration of the band released six albums between 1975 and 1981, the last three of which bear the affixed nameplate. Members: Pierre Moerlen (drums), Benoit Moerlen (percussion, […]
Sharks were an English hard-rock/blues band that released two albums on Island during 1973 and 1974. The band was formed by ex-Free bassist Andy Fraser and journeyman guitarist Chris Spedding. Members: Andy Fraser (bass, piano), Chris Spedding (guitar), Marty Simon (drums), Steve Parsons (guitar, vocals), Busta Jones (bass, 1974), Nick Judd (keyboards, 1974), Jackie Badger […]
The Wurzels were an English comedy-folk band from Nailsea, Somerset, originally formed in 1966 as a four-piece with vocalist Adge Cutler. In this configuration, the band released four albums on Columbia between 1967 and 1969, plus a fifth on Starline in 1972. Trimmed to a trio, the band released six proper albums between 1975 and […]
Wizzard was an English rock band, formed in 1972 by onetime Move and Electric Light Orchestra frontman Roy Wood. They released four singles on Harvest, culminating with the 1973 album Wizzard Brew. Three singles on Warner surrounded the 1974 retro-rock concept album Introducing Eddy & The Falcons. On the ELO-vine imprint Jet, Wizzard issued a […]
The Work were an English avant/art-punk band that issued the single “I Hate America” on self-press Woof Records in 1981, followed by the album Slow Crimes in 1982. A later round of activity yielded the discs Rubber Cage (1989) and See (1992), both again on Woof. Multi-instrumentalist Tim Hodgkinson hailed from 1970s avant/chamber-rockers Henry Cow. […]
Vision were an English synthpop band from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, formed in 1981 as Spiral Visions. In 1982, the band self-released the EP Danse Macabre and the cassette-album Insight, followed by the Italian chart single “Lucifer’s Friend.” A further round of singles appeared on MVM/PRT during the ensuing five-year period. Members: Andy Beaumont (keyboards), Russell […]
Sweet Slag was an English jazz-rock/blues band from Luton that released the album Tracking With Close-Ups on President Records Limited in 1971. Members: Mick Karski Karenski [Mick Wright] (guitar, violin), Paul Jolly (saxophone), Jack O’Neill (bass), Al Chambers (drums), John Catlin, Keith Arnold Inception Sweet Slag formed in 1969 and settled on the lineup of […]
The Spiders From Mars were an English hard-rock band that initially formed in 1971 to provide instrumental backup for David Bowie. Guitarist Mick Ronson and drummer Mick “Woody” Woodmansey backed the singer on the 1969/70 albums Man of Words, Man of Music and The Man Who Sold the World. With the addition of bassist Trevor […]
Simon Dupree & The Big Sound were an English R&B–beat group from Portsmouth that released nine 1966–69 singles and the 1967 album Without Reservations on Parlophone. They scored a UK Top 10 hit with their third single, the psych-tinged “Kites” with guest vocals by actress Jacqui Chan. In 1968, they disguised themselves as The Moles […]
Supercharge were an English R&B/big band from Liverpool that debuted with an album on Stag Music in 1974, followed by five albums on Virgin between 1976 and 1979. After an album apiece on Criminal Records and Intercord during the 1980–82 period, the band released two live discs and a comeback studio album on Memo Music […]
Strapps were an English hard-rock band that released three albums on Harvest between 1976 and 1978, followed by a fourth on Eastworld in 1979. The band featured veteran drummer Mick Underwood (Episode Six, Quatermass, Sammy), who subsequently joined Gillan. Members: Ross Stagg (guitar, vocals), Joe Read (bass, vocals), Mick Underwood (drums), Noel Scott (keyboards, 1974-?), […]
The Swell Maps were an English art-punk band from Solihull that issued a three-song single on self-press Rather in 1978, followed by two albums and four shortplayers on Rough Trade during 1979 and 1980. Members: Nikki Sudden (vocals, backing vocals, guitar, piano, saxophone, percussion, harmonica, handclaps, balloon), Epic Soundtracks (piano, drums, organ, bass, bass synth, […]
The Vapors were an English rock band that released the 1980–81 albums New Clear Days and Magnets on United Artists–Liberty. They foreshadowed the Second British Invasion with their transatlantic hit “Turning Japanese.” Members: David Fenton (vocals, guitar), Edward Bazalgette (lead guitar), Howard Smith (drums), Steve Smith (bass) The Vapors assembled in Guildford, Surrey, in 1978 […]
Sector 27 were an English New Wave/art-punk band that released a self-titled album with accompanying singles on Fontana in 1980, followed by three further singles in 1981. The band was formed by singer/songwriter Tom Robinson after the breakup of his namesake politi-rock band. He subsequently launched a solo career, releasing eight albums over the ensuing […]
Tractor were an English hard-rock/psych combo from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, centered on the partnership of vocalist/guitarist Jim Milne and drummer/bassist Steve Clayton. The pair comprised half of psych-rock four-piece The Way We Live, which released the album A Candle for Judith on Dandelion in 1971. They subsequently issued a self-titled album as Tractor on the […]
Thunderclap Newman were an English pop-psych band that released the album Hollywood Dream in 1969. The album was produced by Pete Townshend and released on Track Record, the label run by Who managers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp. Members: Speedy Keen (vocals, guitar, drums), Andy Newman (keyboards), Jimmy McCulloch (guitar), Jim Avery (bass), Leslie Taylor […]
Ten Years After were an English blues-rock band from London that released five albums and a live disc on Deram between 1967 and 1970, followed by four further studio albums and a live double on Chrysalis between 1971 and 1974. They are best known for their 1969 Woodstock performance and their 1971 acoustic hit “I’d […]
Steel Mill was an English post-psych hard rock band that released the 1972 album Green Eyed God on Penny Farthing. Members: David “Dave” Morris (keyboards, vocals), Derek Chandler (bass, 1969-71), Terry Williams (guitar, 1969-72), John Challenger (saxophone, woodwinds), Colin Short (drums, 1969-70), Ricky [aka Rupert Bear] (drums, 1970), Chris “The Rat” Martin (drums, 1970-72), Jeff […]
The Ruts were an English punk-rock/reggae band from Hayes, Greater London, that released the album The Crack with accompanying singles on Virgin in 1979. A name-change to Ruts DC preceded the 1981/82 albums Animal Now and Rhythm Collision – Vol.1, the second released on self-press Bohemian Records. Members: David Ruffy (drums), John Jennings (bass, vocals), […]
The Reluctant Stereotypes were an English New Wave/ska band from Coventry that issued a three-song EP on A&M-subsidiary Oval Music in 1979, followed by the album The Label with three accompanying singles/b-sides on WEA in 1980. Vocalist Paul King, who joined just prior to the WEA releases, later recorded two albums with his own surname-sake […]
Red Dirt was an English post-psych blues-rock band from Kingston upon Hull that released a self-titled album on Fontana in 1970. Guitarist Steve Howden concurrently played with music-hall popsters Fickle Pickle. They recorded a second Red Dirt album and morphed into Snake Eye for the concept album The Journey, both vaulted until the 2010s. Bassist […]
UPP were an English jazz-funk band that released two albums on Epic during 1975 and 1976, the first produced by Jeff Beck. Drummer Jimmy Copley hailed from rustic-rockers Spreadeagle; he later did session work for Ann Lewis, The Quick, Go West, and Killing Joke. Keyboardist Andy Clark recorded three 1969–71 albums as part of the […]
Chris Farlowe is an English rock singer who surfaced in the R&B–beat boom with five 1962–65 singles on Decca and Columbia–EMI, which issued his 1966 debut album with backing band The Thunderbirds. He cut eleven singles through 1968 on Immediate Records and scored a UK No. 1 with the Rolling Stones song “Out of Time.” […]
The Troggs were an English rock band, best known for the 1966 British Invasion hit “Wild Thing” from their debut album From Nowhere. On Page One, they made the 1967–68 albums Trogglodynamite, Cellophane, and Mixed Bag. Outside the US, they scored further hits with “I Can’t Control Myself,” “Any Way That You Want Me,” “Love […]
