Emerson, Lake & Palmer — alternately known by the acronym ELP — were an English symphonic-rock trio that released three studio albums and a live classical recording on Island (UK) and Cotillion (US) between 1970 and 1972. In 1973, the band established Manticore Records for original releases and albums by like-minded artists. As one of […]
Babe Ruth was an English hard-rock/soul band that released three albums on Harvest between 1972 and 1975, followed by a further pair of titles on Capitol during the mid-1970s. Members: Jenne Haan (vocals, 1970-75), Alan Shacklock (guitar, keyboards, 1970-75), Dave Hewitt (bass, 1970-75), Jeff Allen (drums, 1970-71), Dave Punshon (keyboards, 1971-73), Dick Powell (drums, 1971-73), […]
Steely Dan was an American jazz-rock/pop band that released six studio albums on ABC between 1972 and 1977, followed by an eighth on MCA in 1980. After a 20-year break in recording, they issued two discs of new material during the early 2000s. Debuting as a six-piece, the lineup trimmed by 1975 to the duo […]
Dice was a Swedish symphonic-rock band that released a self-titled album on Marilla in 1978. In 1992, the band’s lost 1977 album Four Riders of the Apocalypse was issued by Belle Antique. Members: Leif Larsson (keyboards), Fredrik Vildö (bass), Robert Holmin (vocals, saxophone), Örian Strandberg (guitar), Per Andersson (drums) Dice germinated from a friendship between […]
Anna Själv Tredje were 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) Anna Själv Tredje centered on the musical partnership of […]
Ablution was a Swedish jazz-rock band that released a self-titled album in 1974 on CBS. Four of its members played in the earlier one-off Baltik. The band also included two-thirds of English hard-rockers Quatermass. Members: Barry de Souza (drums, trumpet), Björn J:son Lindh (flute, piano), Janne Schaffer (guitar), John Gustafson (bass), Malando Gassama (percussion), Ola […]
Nebulosa was a Swedish symphonic/hard-rock/folk band that issued a self-titled album on Park Studio in 1977. Members: Bengt Skarin (drums), Lennart Usterud (bass), Roger Pontare [aka Roger Johansson] (vocals), Thomas Fransén (guitar), Thomas Kacsó (keyboards) Nebulosa pooled the talents of Hungarian keyboardist Thomas Kacso and four Swedish musicians, including bassist Lennart Usterud, who played on […]
Epidermis was a German symphonic/art-rock band that released the album Genius of Original Force on Kerston in 1977. Two further albums appeared between 1982 and 1990. Members: Michael Kurz (keyboards, vocals), Rolf Lonz (guitar, vocals), Reiner Neeb (drums, vocals), Wolfgang Wünsche (bass, vocals) Epidermis hailed from Wiesbaden, Hessen, with members who’d played together as early […]
Carol of Harvest was a German symphonic-folk band that released a self-titled album on Brutkasten in 1978. Members: Axel Schmierer (composer, guitar, keyboards, programming), Beate Krause (vocals, 1976-78), Jürgen Kolb (keyboards, 1976-78), Heinz Reinschlüssel (bass, 1976-78), Robert Högn (drums, 1976-78), Ewa Grams (vocals, 2007-present) Carol of Harvest was formed in late ’70s Fürth, Franconia, by […]
Bakmak were a German jazz-rock band that released two albums on NOVA and Strand between 1976 and 1978. Members: Christian Lüdeke (guitar), Peter Dörnenburg (drums, percussion), Frank Lüdeke (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, percussion), Eckard Lüdeke (bass, 12-string guitar), Reinhold Heil (piano, organ, synthesizer) Bakmak were formed in 1973 Berlin by the Lüdeke brothers: guitarist Christian […]
Epidaurus was a German symphonic-rock band that self-released the album Earthly Paradise in 1977. Three of the members later regrouped in the band Choice. Members: Christiane Wand (vocals), Heinz Kunert (bass, percussion), Manfred Struck (drums, percussion), Volker Oehmig (drums, percussion), Günther Henne (Hammond organ, Mellotron, piano), Gerd Linke (Hammond organ, Mellotron, piano, synthesizer) Background Epidaurus […]
Karma was an American Latin-jazz/funk super-group from Los Angeles that released two albums on A&M/Horizon in 1976 and 1977. Members: George Bohanon (trombone, bass trombone, baritone horn, vocals), Ernie Watts (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute), Oscar Brashear (trumpet), Curtis Robertson Jr. (bass), Chuck Rainey (bass), Josef Blocker (drums, vocals), Leon “Ndugu” Chancler (drums), Vander “Stars” […]
Spheroe was a French jazz-rock band that released a self-titled album in 1977, followed by Primadonna in 1978, both on the specialty label Cobra. Members: Gérard Maimone (piano, vibraphone, synthesizer), Michel Perez (guitar), Rido Bayonne (bass, percussion), Patrick “Cactus” Garel (drums, percussion) Spheroe formed in Lyon, Rhône-Alpes, in 1972. Drummer Patrick “Cactus” Garel was […]
Strutt was an American soul-funk band from New Jersey that released the album Time Moves On on Brunswick Records in 1976. Members: Carmen Cosentino (guitar), Dickie Harman (vocals), Edward Walker (bass), Frank Portolana (organ), Jim Mecke (alto saxophone, flute), Joe Escobar (trombone), Roger Zumbo (drums), Ronald T. Jones (vocals) Strutt was assembled in 1973 by […]
West Wing was an American soul group that released a self-titled album on 20th Century in 1975, produced by Barry White. Members: – West Wing was one of several mid-’70s projects overseen by musician and producer Barry White (Love Unlimited, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Tom Brock, White Heat). In 1973, he produced the foursome’s standalone single […]
Womega was a Belgian jazz-rock/soul band that released the album A Quick Step on self-press Skruup Records in 1975. The band was active until 1981, releasing two locally-pressed singles after their singular album. Members: Duk Vanlessen (guitar), Jen Vanlessen (bass), Joss Vanlessen (guitar), Paul Vrijens (keyboards), Jos Bertrand (drums), Herman Merken (vocals), Paul Peters (flute, […]
The 3 Pieces were an American jazz-funk/soul trio that released the album Vibes of Truth on Fantasy in 1975. Members: Andre Richardson (congas, percussion), Lincoln Ross (keyboards, trombone), Jerry Wilder (bass, lead vocals) The 3 Pieces coalesced in Washington D.C. around the talents of trombonist/keyboardist Lincoln Ross, bassist Jerry Wilder, and percussionist Andre Richardson. Ross […]
Ragnarok was a New Zealander symphonic/space-rock band that released a self-titled album on small-press Revolution in 1975, followed by the album Nooks on Polydor in 1976. The band’s first album features vocalist Lea Maalfrid, who would later achieve international renown as a songwriter. Members: Andre Jayet (drums, synthesizer, vocals), Ross Muir (bass, synthesizer, vocals), Mark […]
Willis Jackson (April 25, 1932 – Oct. 25, 1987) was an American tenor saxophonist who released more than 40 albums as a bandleader on Prestige, Muse, and other labels between 1959 and 1983. Starting under the auspices of trumpeter/bandleader Cootie Williams at the outset of the 1950s, Jackson lent his talent to other artists throughout […]
Rush was a Canadian maximalist hard-rock trio from Toronto, Ontario, that was active for nearly five decades, debuting on vinyl with a standalone single on Moon Records in 1973, followed by a self-titled album on the label in 1974. After a change of drummers, the lineup solidified around the trio of bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist […]
