This was the start of a time when The Glitter Band toured the world amasing millions of record sales. . An excellent and informative article. Finally Springate, Phipps and Shephard released "Gotta Get a Message Back To You" in September 1977, under the new name of Air Traffic Control. On this particular evening one of his charges David Essex, who he was producing at the time, phoned in sick and in the downtime Leander invented the Glitter band sound. The Official Website for Pete Phipps and The Glitter Band, The Original Jukebox Heroes (Pete Phipps, drums), Never Too Young To Rock (1975 movie) Part 1 on YouTube. Originally Gary Glitter's backing band, these poppy glam musicians became stars in their own right with an eclectic pop sound. Written by John Rossall and Gerry Sheppard, their debut single, "Angel Face," was an obvious close relation to the Glitter sound, a pounding, stomping number that raced to number four in Britain in March 1974, but it unquestionably possessed a charm all of its own. Read Full Biography. He was always a prima dona really.". Unfortunately, cover versions outweigh the much better original songs on the album. Ultimately, the Glitter Band became almost as successful, and certainly as well-known, as Gary Glitter himself. The Glitter Band discography and songs: Music profile for The Glitter Band, formed 1972. In the late 80s while I was studying at Portsmouth Polytechnic I went to see Gary Glitter play at the Guildhall. Get the best celeb gossip with the Daily Star Showbiz newsletter. Glitter Band bass player John Rossall co-wrote some of the songs and continues the band to this day, but he knows his place in the scheme of things. Perrone, Pierre (2003) "Obituary: Gerry Shephard; Glitter Band guitarist and songwriter". They were unofficially known as the Glittermen on the first four hit singles by Gary Glitter from 1972 to 1973. An utterly un-Glitter-like set, it was characterized by a truly audacious cover of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil." The Glitter Band's unique sound is well appreciated by the cognoscenti of alternative music makers. In 1981, the group released a new single, "Until the Next Time," maintaining a steady stream of further releases over the next five years. "For me the Glitter band were more influential than the Beatles," explained The Fall's Mark Smith recently. I have their albums playing in my car still x, Your email address will not be published. Im convinced it would have been considered a Power Pop classic had it appeared just a few years later. Switching . "I've got loads of ideas for songs, we want to make something heavy, really tribal, really do something with our sound," he explains before starting to sing one track in the bar - it sounds fantastic. It was to no avail as the single failed to crack to the top 50. Hiro_Noodles. The line-up was John Rossall (trombone & the bands musical director), Gerry Shephard (lead guitar & vocals), John Springate (bass & vocals), Harvey Ellison (saxophone), & keeping thumping tight time at the back the twin drummers Tony Leonard & Pete Phipps. Even then he insisted on staying in a hotel whilst we had to share digs in bunk beds behind the stage. He toured in the US and in the UK. They recently played the punk festival in Blackpool, which could have been a really difficult gig. Things didnt stand still in 1975. A ballad, it was written by Shephard, and Springate sang lead. Ophidian I drummer Ragnar Sverrisson picks out the finest drummers in tech death who have helped push the genre's boundaries, complete with drum-cam playthroughs . Gary Glitter Modest Mouse Angels of Light The Melvins Frank Zappa Tortoise Hidden Orchestra Dananananaykroyd Kylesa Godsmack, occasionally Do Make Say Think Tornavalanche Mushroomhead Black Eyes U.S. Christmas The Fall 1981-1984; 1993-1997 (occasional) NoMeansNo 1993-1997 Radiohead The Roots Pavement Arcade Fire Levon Helm during the '80s The band did a great job replicating Leanders sound live. 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. Random Hold composed of David Rhodes, Bill MacCormick, David Ferguson, and Pete Phipps were described by a music journalist[who?] Leander agreed, but rejected the first recordings. Original Glitter Band bandleader John Rossall died on October 2, 2021, a year after releasing a comeback album, The Last Glam in Town; he was 75 years old. He added: We separated in 1974 he hated the fact we recorded our own records.. In 2009, drummer Pete Phipps (who had taken ownership of the name "The Glitter Band") and original bassist and vocalist John Springate put together a new version of the group with the addition of Dominic Rodgers on guitar and vocals, and Eddie Spence on keyboards and vocals. And Rossall has gone on record to say if Leander could play brass neither he nor Ellison would have featured either. Back copies can be ordered via the website. So sad that they didnt get the recognition they deserved mainly due to Glitters horror charges saw them a few times and have Petes drumstick still. The original band members were: Gerry Shephard (lead guitar and vocals) John Springate (Bass & Vocals) Pete Phipps (Drums and Keyboards) John Rossall (Sax, Trombone & Musical Director), Pete Gill (Drums), Tony Leonard (Drums), and Harvey Ellison (sax)The Glitter Band are still touring today featuring original members Pete Phipps and John Springate. "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. He said: Gary was driving in limousines and flying first class and we were staying in bed and breakfasts and travelling in a Transit. 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. Double drumming (sometimes referred to as double drums) is a musical technique, used mostly in rock music, where two drummers each play a drum kit at the same time. 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. 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.". On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Genres: Glam Rock, Pop Rock, Disco. [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. Changing direction, Phipps first joined Ex-Directory a jazz rock band where he first met Vic Martin (who would later, with Pete, join the Eurythmics); this was then followed by a short period with a London based punk rock band called The Secret. The story of the Glitter Band begins in the mid 1960s. Springate and Phipps tour as one incarnation of The Glitter Band. However, I think the Glitter Band version is far better. 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. We never socialised.. In 2009, drummer Pete Phipps (who had taken ownership of the name "The Glitter Band") and original bassist and vocalist John Springate put together a new version of the group with the addition of Dominic Rodgers on guitar and vocals, and Eddie Spence on keyboards and vocals. However, she listens to many genres of music as her Toppermost articles attest. [4][5] He also played drums for Eurythmics, playing on their UK number one album Touch, joining the band for their MTV-broadcast performance at the Heaven nightclub in London, and playing live with the band into 1984. Two further albums, Rock 'n' Roll Dudes and Listen to the Band, were equally courageous, with the group's ambition now so pronounced that they even brushed aside the first signs that their invincibility was cracking: the chart failure of the singles "Alone Again" and "Don't Make Promises." A new album, recorded live at the London Marquee Club, appeared in 1985, while a succession of hits collections (several featuring newly re-recorded material) kept their name alive on the record shelves. Shortly afterwards, bubblegum glam group and Bell Records label mates Hello recorded their own version of Tell Him using the Glitter Bands arrangement and took it into the UK top ten. Its a fantastic record which has really stood the test of time definitely a glam rock classic. Joyce Gibson is a lifelong music fan, inherited from her dad and now passed on to her niece. Not content with applying looped rhythm tracks to teenage dance music (something you are more likely to associate with house music some twenty years later) Leander wrote these yob anthems and played all the instruments himself; quite some feat. [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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The band also toured extensively in the time Gill was a member. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. They were branching out towards a more soul and funk sound which was probably not the best move with punk bubbling under. Gill was one of the two drummers in The Glitter Band, then formed part of the original line-up of Saxon in 1978. Petridis, Alexis (2006) "Film & Music: Rock & pop reviews: Pop reissue: Denim Back in Denim", Band biography on official fan club website, The Official Glitter Band Website - The Glitter Band, The Official Website for Pete Phipps and The Glitter Band, John Rossall's Official Website + Detailed History of the Boston Showband/Glitter Band, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Glitter_Band&oldid=1137106185, Pete Phipps drummer, keyboardist (19731979, 1985present), Dominic Rodgers guitarist (2001present), John Rossall trombonist, saxophonist (19731974); died 2021, Harvey Ellison saxophonist, guitarist, pianist, backing vocals (19731977); died 2017, Gerry Shephard guitarist, lead and backing vocals (1973-1979, 19812001); died 2003, John Springate bassist, lead and backing vocals (19731979, 19811987, 20092019), Tony Leonard drummer (19731977, 19811985), Eddy Spence keyboardist (19811987, 20092019), This page was last edited on 2 February 2023, at 20:59. Really brill piece paying tribute to a hugely underrated band that were never given the credit they deserved. [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. The Glitter Band had seven UK Top 20 hit singles in the mid-1970s, and three hit albums. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Glitter Band were poppy enough to catch the ear of my 10-year-old self, but distinctive and different enough also to hold my attention over the years. One Artist - One Song. They had a top 10 hit with The Tears I Cried which eventually featured on their next LP. The name of the other one escapes me.. The band only played with Glitter for two years before going alone and scoring a string of top ten hits. ", (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. He was also influenced by Osibisas rhythms. 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. Joyce tweets @northseacrashes and co-hosts @PsychoSundae featuring the best psych and garage tunes chosen by followers. They were also a massive influence on The KLF/Timelords who collaborated with GG, Ed.). In 1985, Phipps recorded with Hugh Cornwell playing on the single "One in a Million". The band have become entangled in Gary Glitters new world and they feel unfairly tarred with the same brush as their former singer, as John Rossal their new leader wearily explains. Sadly Gerry Shephard passed away on May 6th 2003. May 1977 saw the band release a final single as the Glitter Band, "She Was Alright". His first outing with the Eurythmics was recorded at Heaven for MTV and later released as the video Sweet Dreams (1985). If he could have played brass then he would have done that as well.". 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). The brass included trombone as well as sax. Read Joyces other posts on Cocteau Twins, Shangri-Las, Kate Bush. (Hello also scored with another Hey-era staple, a cover of the Exciters' "Tell Him.") In August 2020 he released his first solo album of original songs entitled Wherever You Are. A year later, he toured with the Elgins. 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. 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. For tickets see the Alfie Bird website or Ticketweb. In December 1975, their third album Listen to the Band, saw Phipps for the first time on lead vocals on the self-penned "My First Mistake". The Glitter Band's second album might indeed have borne one of the era's most cringe-worthy titles, and a sleeve that wasn't much better. All rights reserved. To find out more, click here. The band include some Glitter songs in their set but Dominic said music producer Mike Leander was the real genius behind the Glitter sound. It became their biggest hit in early 1975, reaching No.2. I too had forgotten just how good they were. Phipps and Shephard appeared in the Identity Parade line-up on the first episode of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, recorded on 28 October 1996. The Glitter Band: The Glitter Band - Hey! Rossall brought with him guitarist Gerry Shephard, saxophonist Harvey Ellison, and bassist Ray Moxley, who was soon sacked for urinating in Glitters drink. Musically the story had become about Gary Glitter but in reality it should be about the band's producer Mike Leander. The next year, Phipps played with the Legendary Purple Helmets a Stranglers offshoot. Their next single, Goodbye My Love, was something of a departure from their earlier singles. "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. "For me when we play we are carrying on the work and legacy of Mike Leander. All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. They were unofficially known as the Glittermen on the first four hit singles by Gary Glitter from 1972 to 1973. Please read all descriptions thoroughly before purchasing. He has recorded with: "LIVE-WIRE EURYTHMICS MAKE A SOULFUL NOISE IN CONCERT", Learn how and when to remove this template message, The Official Website for Pete Phipps and The Glitter Band, The Official Glitter Band Website The Glitter Band, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pete_Phipps&oldid=1117447212, This page was last edited on 21 October 2022, at 19:44. The potential is there and the talent is there- could the Glitter Band be about to use rock & roll to excise the ghost of Gary Glitter the bacofoil god with feet of clay? Oh yes - Adam & The Ants did, and likewise the ghastly Sigue Sigue Sputnik. (Hello also scored with another Hey-era staple, a cover of the Exciters' "Tell Him. In 1973, Rossall approached Leander with the suggestion that the band record some material without Glitter. Unfortunately, although the band had moved on, their fans hadn't. The Glitter band, though, are trapped by history. He then rejoined Gary Glitter for UK, Middle East and US tours. . The name reverted to The Glitter Band in March 1977 for the release of "Look What You've Been Missing", co-written by John Rossall and Gerry Shephard. The B-side, You Wouldnt Leave Me Would You, a Springate/Shephard composition, carries on where Angel Face left off and the intro reminds me of a few punk and new wave tunes which followed just a few years later. People come to the gigs and they understand that the band and the songs are quite separate from the whole situation.". The band provided [1] 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. Several of the band had played with Glitter in The Boston Showband (also known as The Bostons) during the 1960s when he was still known as Paul Raven. The band, unofficially known as the Glittermen while working with the singer between 1972 and 1974, barely spoke to him, said Pete, 64. Peter Gill (born 9 June 1951) is an English former heavy metal drummer, formerly a member of The Glitter Band, Saxon and Motrhead . Shephard and Springate were the main songwriters, but Phipps and Ellison also contributed songs. But original drummer Pete Phipps and bandmate Dominic Rodgers say their songs - recorded separately from Glitter's - are still not played on the radio. He was working on a David Essex session and when David had rung in sick with a cold Mike started work on this instrumental. Trevor Horn played bass guitar for the band in this era. Required fields are marked *. 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. In 1982, Phipps was invited by Mike Rutherford to record the album Acting Very Strange, and later in the same year was invited by XTC to record with them on their Mummer album. John Rossall looks worn out at the very mention of the disgraced singer. AXE MEN: Pete and Dominic of The Glitter Band (Image: PH) Some of the band continued to back Gary Glitter on live dates but he unceremoniously sacked them for cheaper musicians at the end of the 1980s a fact broadcasters really should bear in mind when trying to whitewash the band from music history. This does not detract, though, from Mike Leander who created these deceptively simple records, slowing down Burundi drums played in shuffling three fours and copying their tribal power with two drum kits and adding massive drones from the guitar bass and a brass section. Particular kudos should be paid to Gerry Shephard and the slide effect he used on his famous star guitar. The single, written by Springate and Phipps, never made it past a few initial commercial pressings on the Epic label. They were great musicians and writers who caught the mid 70s zeitgeist. They may have played on some of pops great records and had a whole career of their own, but now they have to spend every day fending off tabloids and defining themselves against the actions of their former front man. 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. 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Soul and funk sound which was probably not the best move with punk bubbling under the Band the... Alright '' songwriters, but Phipps and Shephard appeared in the US and third based... Just how good they were also a massive influence glitter band drummers the album but in reality it be. Quite separate from the article title is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike ;... Nor Ellison would have been a really difficult gig unique sound is well appreciated by cognoscenti. Given the credit they deserved musicians became stars in their own right an...
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