Which are your favourite bands that made records, but never had any or much success then faded out of view and broke up? There are so many who most will have forgotten. Remember Bethnall? They were an interesting outfit in the late 70s but made two albums, one with a hypnosis-designed cover. I seem to recall they were something to do with Pete Townshend and their singer also played violin.
I bet a lot of people recall Back Street Crawler, but far less, Crawler, their later incarnation, who released two good records that veered from hard rock to soul and even charted in the lower reaches in America.
Then there was Beckett, a Newcastle band who I’m sure were on the jukebox in the Haymarket or Market Tavern. They made just one album, likewise Bullfrog whose In The City was on that jukebox. I never found anything out about them.
Mamas Boys were always going to be the next big thing in the early 80s. Their Needle In The Groove was a minor hit single, I think. They went to America but never broke through, despite making several records.
Illusion were a British progressive rock band formed in 1977.They released two albums, Out of the Mist (1977) and Illusion (1978) on Island Records, before folding in 1979. They were intended to be a reunion of the original line-up of Renaissance (whose second 1971 album was actually titled Illusion) and featured Jane Relf.
Remember Upp? Probably not. They were a jazz-funk band who made two albums in the mid-70s with the help of Jeff Beck and were featured on a TV program playing a version of She’s A Woman with Jeff. They supported BBA.
The Neutrons made 2 albums and were an offshoot of Man. I have Black Hole Star, it's excellent prog-rock. Lone Star gave us 2 great records and a deconstructed version of the Beatles She Said She Said. They also gave us guitarist Paul Chapman, before punk killed them off.
Arbre were another Newcastle band who released two albums in 1977 and 1978. Just the wrong time for a laid back, American-style, soft rock band. I think I saw them supporting Chris Rea.
City Boy were given every chance and made six albums on Vertigo, from 1976, had a hit with ‘5705’ but every album failed to chart. Imagine making 6 albums and never having a hit.
Egg made 3 albums which are now quite collectible and were a Canterbury band which featured future Caravan keyboard player Dave Stewart. I actually bought their debut for £70
Widowmaker were a band I saw supporting Uriah Heep. The band was formed by former Mott the Hoople and Spooky Tooth guitarist Luther Grosvenor, aka Ariel Bender. The original line-up featured vocalist Steve Ellis from Love Affair, guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton from Hawkwind, Australian bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Paul Nicholls who had played with Lindisfarne. They made 2 unsuccessful records but were good. Bad timing in 1976/77 did for them.
The Ian Gillan Band were tipped for success and made 3 superb jazzy rock records which proved unpopular and didn’t chart. Do check out the Live at the Budokan double also available as two single records, or revisit it if you’ve not heard it for a while.
Everyone knows Ace from ‘How Long’ a #3 in America but less have heard their three excellent albums, the first of which made #11 in America. None charted in the UK. They were the first band I ever saw but remember nothing about the gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall, y’know.
Climax Blues Band will be a familiar name and had a long career, but only had 1 #56 with Gold Plated out of 21 UK released albums. Much more success in America, but not in the homeland, that being said, only Gold Plated made top 30 (#27) I saw them when I was in the first year of Newcastle Poly in 1979.
Bees Make Honey were a popular pub rock early 70s band who released a single 1973 album. Kossoff Kirke Tetsu and Rabbit were a short-lived outfit who made an album while Free were on hiatus. Bruford were a short-lived jazz-fusion band at the end of the 70s who released three studio albums and a live record. Colosseum II with Gary Moore were excellent but their jazz rock was out of step with the late 70s trends. Their 3 albums sank without trace.
The Strawbs released 13 albums from 1969-79. But charted with just 4, Bursting At The Seams was a#2 and their peak moment. 7 charting albums in the states but most of them in the 100s.
Captain Beyond had no chart action either side of the Atlantic, except for (US#181) for Dawn Explosion, their third and final album, yet their first is one of those influential records that everyone heard but no one bought.
Babe Ruth never charted a UK album, their First Base is a lost classic and though they charted in America with 3 albums, the highest placed was their third which made #75. Stone The Crows were an acclaimed blues rock outfit but never charted an album, their debut and fourth. ‘Ontinuous Performance with Jimmy McCulloch are superb.
There’s so many bands that proved to be uncommercial but were persisted with, it's often a great place to find great music, even now.
