The bands second album, Rock n Roll Dudes, followed later in 1975 and it consisted wholly of original material. The Glittermen were renamed The Glitter Band and established a separate identity consisting of a six-member lineup Gerry Shephard (lead guitar/lead vocals), John Springate (bass/lead vocals ), Pete Phipps (drums and keyboards), Tony Leonard (drums), John Rossall (trombone) Harvey Ellison (saxophone). I too had forgotten just how good they were. It's a sound that is part of the fabric of British pop culture. - Great Drum solo from Pete Phipps 88,719 views Dec 12, 2010 366 Dislike Share Save Description ggspotter 286 subscribers The Glitter Band performing on their. However, his 1975 single, I Was Only Dreaming, is a great glam tune and it really should have been a hit. Albums include Hey!, Disco Discharge. John Rossall looks worn out at the very mention of the disgraced singer. Early in 2001, along with shows with the Glitter Band, Santanarama and Glitz Blitz at a range of venues nationwide, Phipps made a return to playing some R&B with a South East-based band Desperate Measures. The Bostons carried on after Raven jumped on the glam bandwagon and became Gary Glitter. [3] In April 2010, The Glitter Band performed at Scala, Kings Cross, London where they were joined by special guests Angie Bowie and Adam Ant. It was written by Springate, Shephard and Eddie Seago, who also ran the bands management company. Instead of hitting the cymbals, drummers such as Dave Mount of Mud thumped out the rhythm with. Broadcast on 31st January 2021 for Soul Radio USA's Virtual 70's and 80's New Year's Eve Party, this is an exclusive Interview with Pete Phipps lead drummer of The 70's Glam Rock Group \"The Glitter Band\".The Interview Includes an Insight of Pete Phipps career In music then and now, the history behind The Glitter Band (how It was formed and the progression to becoming one of the UK's major Glam Rock Bands of The 70's) and exclusive behind the scene bloopers and information that some listeners may not of heard before. Just look at all the Christmas songs from the 70s still being played! no.4 in the UK charts, remaining there for 10 weeks. Brown, Mick (1985) "Days of Whine and Poses". Nowadays they have become music pariahs as the tabloids froth themselves into indignation over the sad and disturbing sexual tastes of their convicted paedophile former front man Gary Glitter. I find this terribly unfair as they were easily one of the best glam rock era groups and, unlike most of their peers, they wrote their own songs. The band include some Glitter songs in their set but Dominic said music producer Mike Leander was the real genius behind the Glitter sound. To find out more, click here. Its ironic that the advent of punk washed them away, as Angel Face must have influenced most of the punks who replaced them in the charts later in the decade. Then in 1971, he joined CBS band Heaven and supported Jeff Beck on tour in the UK and Germany. He toured in the US and in the UK. Not only were all the Glitter records his creations and his productions he also produced The Herd, Billy Fury, Cliff Richard and countless other people; he also did all the strings for Marianne Faithful and for the Beatles' 'She's Leaving Home' which was the only time George Martin didnt do them. According to John Rossall, only he, Shephard and Leonard featured on the single, together with Brian Jones on sax. Joyce Gibson is a lifelong music fan, inherited from her dad and now passed on to her niece. Vid by me - enjoy!The Glitter Band are a glam rock band from England, who initially worked as Gary Glitter's backing band under that name from 1973, when they then began releasing records of their own. Fond memories of the 70s come to mind. To find out more, click here. Are the Glitter Band capable of making rock n roll part3? Since the band split up there have been two Glitter bands - one led by Rossall and Ellison, the other by former guitarist Shephard and Phipps, the band's drummer. The Glitter Band - ROCK ON! Running a mobile discotheque at the time I still have most of the Glitter Bands hit singles. Originally called The Glitter Men, only Rossall and Ellison played on Glitter's first two records - every other instrument was played by Mike Leander. The Glitter Men, as the group was originally known, was built around an idea that Glitter and Leander had first experimented with during the mid-'60s: a sprawling combo whose sound and visuals were based upon a core of two drummers and two saxophonists. Phipps was a founder member of The Glitter Band (originally known as The Glittermen), who started as Gary Glitter's backing band, and went on to success in their own right, having six top ten singles in the UK in the mid-1970s. If he could have played brass then he would have done that as well.". The story of the Glitter Band begins in the mid 1960s. An excellent and informative article. Required fields are marked *. In 1976, they returned with Dont Make Promises (You Cant Keep) and started calling themselves The G Band in the hope of being taken more seriously. It got the full Leander production treatment, bringing the brass section and double drum sound to the fore, adding in the distinctive hey! chant. Evidence that the Glitter Band were capable of meeting greater challenges than the Glitter sound normally set was delivered in early 1975 with their fourth single, the soft rock ballad "Goodbye My Love." Genres: Glam Rock, Pop Rock, Disco. Learn how your comment data is processed. Performing with bands like Decrepit Birth, Abysmal Dawn and Vale of Pnath, his fervent and incredibly clean technique elevates every song that he records or performs. His imagination and sheer musical brilliance was key in the 60s colouring in records with amazing and imaginative use of strings, working with The Beatles, Marianne Faithful, Billy Fury and a whole host of other key players. [12] Rossall and Harvey Ellison continued to tour with their band, releasing the album Glitteresque in 2008, which was subsequently withdrawn from circulation by their record company because of trademark infringement. Pete Phipps still performs live as The Glitter Band. They originally came together in 1972, following Glitter's own breakthrough with the hit "Rock and Roll." In late 1977, the group transferred to Epic for one final single, a cover of the Bee Gees' "Gotta Get a Message to You," but by 1978, the band had all but fallen apart. Unfortunately, cover versions outweigh the much better original songs on the album. (Hello also scored with another Hey-era staple, a cover of the Exciters' "Tell Him.") [9][10] Rossall was subsequently not allowed to use Glitter Band as part of his band's name, but was allowed to advertise his historical connections to the band. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Read Joyces other posts on Cocteau Twins, Shangri-Las, Kate Bush. They are an influence on anyone who fancies a bit of the two drummer tribal stomp on their sound. ", (Even the Cologne techno scene of the early 00s which featured the so-called 'schaffel' rhythm in triplet eights was in thrall to the Glitter beat. With Shephard's death in May 2003, Leonard retired to concentrate on musical production activities in Norway, whilst both Phipps and Rossall continued on the road with their own bands. Please whitelist our site in order to continue to access The Quietus. In 1985, Phipps recorded with Hugh Cornwell playing on the single "One in a Million". In 2000 he teamed up once again with Shephard to pen the UKs Eurovision entry, Dont Play That Song Again, performed by French. 1979 saw Sheppard and drummer Pete Phipps hook up with former Sparks/Jet keyboard player Peter Oxendale for the album Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, credited to Oxendale & Sheppard and released in the U.S. only. It was followed by "Just for You" and "Let's Get Together Again," both of which kept the group in the Top Ten, while their debut album, Hey, reached number 13 despite being comprised of little more than reprises of their hits. In 1976, as Gary Glitter announced his retirement, the Glitter Band cut their last sonic links with the old sound. Apple Inc. Mike used to get in the studio on his own with the engineer and play the drums for 20 minutes trying out different drum things and then say: 'Right, roll the tape. to the engineer and then record a section that he would then he would make a loop out of and copy it onto the 24 track. Bell Records signed the Glitter Band as a new artist, and Angel Face was released on 1st March 1974. However, she listens to many genres of music as her Toppermost articles attest. All rights reserved. The year 2000 saw the founding of Santanarama, a six-piece tribute to Carlos Santana, and Glitz Blitz, a three-piece tribute to the 1970s. Ultimately, the Glitter Band became almost as successful, and certainly as well-known, as Gary Glitter himself. As a wholly independent publication, we rely entirely on our ad bookings to keep The Quietus going. Originally Gary Glitter's backing band, these poppy glam musicians became stars in their own right with an eclectic pop sound. A lot of people who criticise us for playing these songs dont really know the whole depth of the story. In the late 80s while I was studying at Portsmouth Polytechnic I went to see Gary Glitter play at the Guildhall. Ultimately, the Glitter Band became almost as successful, and certainly as well-known, as Gary Glitter himself. [3] Shephard and Phipps had previously guested on Denim's Back In Denim (1992).[11]. It may not be PC but I still love Gary and the Glitter Band music. Very good Joyce thank you. In total, The Glitter Band had seven top 20 hits in the mid-1970s, including Angel Face which reached number four and Goodbye My Love, which went to number two in the charts. We were not even that close when we were working with him. I shall surely play them again now. Currently taking Commissions to begin in Early 2023. Listen To The Band is musically ambitious compared to their previous albums, with the band trying to move away from the distinctive sound which made them famous, hoping to be taken more seriously. With most of them I can sense the presence of two distinctly different drummers at play, especially in the case of the classic Allma. Another single appeared in 1982, a Shephard and Springate song called Heartbeat To Heartache. The band only played with Glitter for two years before going alone and scoring a string of top ten hits. The Glitter Band (originally - though briefly - called The Glittermen) were formed by producer Mike Leander in 1972 as backing and session musicians for Gary Glitter. There were other choices but Gary was hungry to have a hit. Support tQ's work by becoming a subscriber and enjoy the benefits of bonus essays, podcasts and exclusively-commissioned new music. He found an old guitar with a really bad action on it and put it through some really heavy fender tube amps till it was jumping off the floor and that was how that sound came about.". And while the band's original sound was firmly cut in the style of their namesake, by the end of their career, they'd developed into a wholly original and utterly captivating act in their own right. "For me when we play we are carrying on the work and legacy of Mike Leander. It again features the heavy Glitter sound and was another Rossall/Shephard composition. The band, unofficially known as the Glittermen while working with the singer between 1972 and 1974, barely spoke to him, said Pete, 64. Random Hold composed of David Rhodes, Bill MacCormick, David Ferguson, and Pete Phipps were described by a music journalist[who?] Switching . "For me the Glitter band were more influential than the Beatles," explained The Fall's Mark Smith recently. Phipps currently performs worldwide as The Glitter Band playing a variety of venues up and down the UK and on the Continent. He also arranged the strings for The Drifters' 'Under The Boardwalk'. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. A dynamic combination". [1] With John Rossall having quit for a solo career, the remaining members signed with CBS and, shortening their name to the G Band, set to work on their most ambitious collection yet, Paris Match. He would then go and overdub the bass, floor and small toms on one track; then the bass and the guitar. With Rossall away, John Springate and Gerry Shephard took over leadership of the Glitter Band. Peter Gill (born 9 June 1951) is an English former heavy metal drummer, formerly a member of The Glitter Band, Saxon and Motrhead. Further hits followed between 1974 and 1976, along with the release of four albums. ~ Dave Thompson. Leander agreed, but rejected the first recordings. The name of the other one escapes me.. Rossall is even talking of making a new album. Rossall brought with him guitarist Gerry Shephard, saxophonist Harvey Ellison, and bassist Ray Moxley, who was soon sacked for urinating in Glitters drink. John Rossall "The Glitter Band" started life in 1972 as backing and session musicians for Gary Glitter, providing the backing music not only for Gary's chartbusters but also providing 'The Leader' with the unique powerful, and gutsy big beat for his concerts around the world. Glitter was difficult to work with even when we first met him in 1964/65 when we were his backing band in the Starr Club in Germany. Originally called The Glitter Men, only Rossall and Ellison played on Glitters first two records every other instrument was played by Mike Leander. as "disco orientated rock", and by Nina Myskow in The Sun as a band to watch for as "Their music shows talent, menace, originality and brains. Thanks for your article, the Glitter Band really and truly deserved so much more recognition,they alone were brilliant musicians and writers. Devotion) of Spacer fame. Great band, great music. The album was recorded in Metway Studios, Brighton and produced by Mike Wilton and engineered by Jake Routham. [8][9] Phipps was also the drummer on Liquid Gold's hits which included "Dance Yourself Dizzy". I loved the Glitter Band and still do, was part of my teenage years, RIP Gerry. Leander died ten years ago at the age of 55 and is now mainly forgotten or his legacy forever tainted by his association with Glitter. All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Between 1992 and 1996, whilst remaining in the Glitter Band, Phipps joined Denim, a band formed by Lawrence Hayward. It's a sound that is so distinctive that it causes the Pavlovian exhortation: "Ah! But original drummer Pete Phipps and bandmate Dominic Rodgers say their songs recorded separately from Glitters are still not played on the radio. Playing hard-stomping glam rock with singalong choruses as well as more straightforward romantic pop, the Glitter Band were named for their association with glam idol Gary Glitter. The Glitter Band play Alfie Birds and The Oobleck, The Custard Factory, Birmingham on March 5. (Album) 2 versions : Bell Records, Bell Records: BELLS 241, 2308 095: UK: 1974: Sell This Version: 2 versions : Image Title Label Catalog Number Year In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory Actions; V 2219, V2219: British Electric Foundation . Saw the Glitter Band at Margates Dreamland Ballroom when they were at their peak. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. [5][6] They backed Glitter in live performances, although in the studio Mike Leander played all the instruments, apart from the brass section provided by Rossall and Ellison.[5]. He and Phipps also featured in the Identity Parade round in the first episode of Never Mind The Buzzcocks in 1996. He then put this amazing droning guitar sound on it. Feel free to contribute! Gill later spent three years with Motrhead, 1984 to 1987, recording four new tracks for the compilation No Remorse, The Birthday Party and one full album, Orgasmatron. "It seems like every time we get a series of gigs together and some sort of comeback is on the cards, he will get arrested and we lose a lot of shows. Producer Mike Leander kept the distinctive sound on many of the songs, but there is evidence of a slicker sound on a few of the tracks. The Glitter Band insist they knew nothing of the shamed glam rockers sex crimes, which they say have unfairly tarnished their reputation. The Glitter band, though, are trapped by history. Later in the year, he recorded an album of material with Alan Merrill of the Arrows which was released the following year. People come to the gigs and they understand that the band and the songs are quite separate from the whole situation.". Rossall left the band on 31 December 1974. no.4 in the UK charts, remaining there for 10 weeks. Oh yes - Adam & The Ants did, and likewise the ghastly Sigue Sigue Sputnik. A year later, he toured with the Elgins. Phipps and Shephard appeared in the Identity Parade line-up on the first episode of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, recorded on 28 October 1996. There is a band on Back From The Grave 4 called Beep Beep & The Roadrunners who were using two drummers back in '62/'63. Shephard got picked out; Phipps did not. Its not as well remembered today as it should be its a great summer pop song with that distinctive stomping beat, but there are some Beach Boys inspired harmonies as well. Tony Leonard has now retired from the music business. Sometimes when the odds are stacked up this high the creative juices can go crazy. Yeah thats right the sick dog of pop Gary Glitter, the fallen star, the convicted paedophile whose every movement is the concern of the tabloids. Experimenting in the studio one night Leander did one of those rare things: he synthesised a whole new pop sound from some unlikely sources. It became their biggest hit in early 1975, reaching No.2. The G Band departed Bell Records for CBS and recorded an album called Paris Match, which despite being marketed with two different covers failed to do anything. They are one of the very few bands to start out backing a solo artist and go on to become successful in their own right an obvious comparison would be the Shadows. It was a real relief.". On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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