UK Blues, Jazz + R&B
PETE BROWN
Cream was one of the first supergroups and rightly so. Jack Bruce was an amazing multi-instrumentalist, Ginger Baker was considered one of the greatest African style drummers outside of Africa and Eric Clapton was a guitar God for a little while (before Jimi Hendrix hit the UK). A little know fact is that most of the lyrics were written by Pete Brown, a quirky trumpet blowing singer/poet. Years later, Ginger complained in an interview that he got very little royalties for the Cream catalog. Peter’s albums are quite obscure and oblique, but well worth listening to if you are interested in the more unusual type of music.
wiki/Pete_Brown
Things May Come & Things May Go
PAUL RODGERS
One of the greatest voices in British blues-rock, Paul was one of the founders of Free as well as Bad Company. Somewhere in between, he also founded The Firm with Jimmy Page and The Law with Kenny Jones. He also enjoyed a solo career before joining Queen for a while. He then resumed his solo career. Some interesting trivia: In 1971 he was asked to replace Jim Morisson as the lead singer of the Doors, but he was not available at the time. In 1973 he was also asked to replace Ian Gillan in Deep Purple, but he turned that down to form Bad Company.
wiki/Paul Rodgers
Free – full album
TONY McPHEE
Tony is a great guitarist and founder of the Groundhogs. He has also played with Herbal Mixture, the John Dummer Band, Hapshash and the Coloured Coat, Tony McPhee’s Terraplane, Tony McPhee’s Turbo, the Tony McPhee Band and Current
wiki/Tony_McPhee
The Groundhogs – Thank Christ for the Bomb – full album
BRIAN JONES
Just about everybody knows the Rolling Stones, but not many people know that Brain was the founder of the band in 1962. He gave the band their name and in the early years, he was their leader organizing gigs, recording sessions, and so on. He was also very good looking and featured on the cover of rock magazines such as Creem. In addition to developing the Stones signature guitar weaving with Keith Richards, he also played a variety of instruments. On Their Satanic Majesties Request, he is playing a mellotron, flute, percussion, saxophone, acoustic guitar, vibraphone, theremin, jew’s harp, brass, organ, electric dulcimer, recorder, sarod, and harp. Sadly, he lost the battle with drugs and alcohol and in 1969 was ousted from his own band. Two months later he drowned in his swimming pool.
wiki/Brian_Jones
Their Satanic Majesties Request – full album
THE YARDBIRDS
The Yardbirds were a very influential group. Their music was blues and r&b influenced, but they had no problem with incorporating Gregorian monk chants into their songs. Three of the greatest rock guitar players broke their teeth in this band. Everybody knows them: Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. Eric Clapton went on to form Cream, Derek & the Dominoes and on to a long solo career. Jimmy Page was a much-in-demand studio musician before forming Led Zeppelin and Jeff Beck is still one of the hottest guitar players around. Keith Relf started Renaissance (There was only one album. The producer-owned the name and he later hired totally different musicians – Annie Haslam etc. – those are really just fluffy pop. This one ie the real deal) and Armaggedon The Renaissance musicians did record a second album but could not use the name so they named that band Illusion. He also produced some important bands like Steamhammer, Medicine Head, and Saturnalia.
wiki/The Yardbirds
Roger the Engineer – CD
Renaissance – full album
Steamhammer – Reflection – full album
Armageddon – Buzzard
Medicine Head – Dark Side of the Moon – full album
Saturnalia – Magical Love – full album
CHICKEN SHACK
Chicken Shack is basically Stan Webb with a revolving roster of musicians. Together with Alan Morley & Andy Silvester, Stan formed the band in the mid-1960s. They were later joined by Christine Perfect on keys and vocals. Christine went on to marry Jon McVie and eventually joined his band Fleetwood Mac.
wiki/Chicken Shack
40 Blue Fingers, Freshly Packed and Ready to Serve – full album
SAVOY BROWN
Savoy Brown was started by Welsh guitarist Kim Simmonds and harmonica player John O’Leary. The original line-up included Brice Portius, one of the first black blues musicians to join a British rock band. Kim Simmonds is the only original member that continued the Savoy Brown legacy. Over the yaers, the band has released more that 40 albums.
wiki/Savoy Brown
Savoy Brown – Street Corner Talking – full album
TEN YEARS AFTER
Ten Years After was led by Alvin Lee’s shredding guitar. He also did the vocals on such hits as “I’m Going Home”, “Hear Me Calling” & “I’d Love To Change the World.” Their spot at the original Woodstock festival turned them into superstars.