Looking to the future the newly invigorated Glitter Band are thinking big. 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. In June 1972, he began working for Gary Glitter's backing band The Glittermen and, in the same month, they made their first appearance on Top of the Pops with "Rock and Roll Part 2". A ballad, it was written by Shephard, and Springate sang lead. [8] The band's profile was maintained with a slew of Greatest Hits releases, mainly concentrating on their peak mid-1970s era. . no.4 in the UK charts, remaining there for 10 weeks. Great band, great music. However, in 1981, they reconvened with a little heard single, Until The Next Time. Springate retired from the band in 2019, and in August 2020 Phipps, the only remaining original member, released his first solo album entitled Wherever You Are. The Glitter Band - ROCK ON! Shephard and Springate recorded a single under the moniker Air Traffic Control, but it got lost among the punk frenzy. 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. Through 1983 and 1984 he was a member of The Eurythmics. And Rossall has gone on record to say if Leander could play brass neither he nor Ellison would have featured either. A major creative departure, "Goodbye My Love" climbed to number two, while the group's abilities as songwriters received another boost when labelmates Hello scored a European hit with a cover of the Glitter Band's own "Game's Up." This was the start of a time when The Glitter Band toured the world amasing millions of record sales. 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. 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. 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. Are the Glitter Band capable of making rock n roll part3? It may not be PC but I still love Gary and the Glitter Band music. 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. It was the twin drum's combined with Gerry's glitter 'Star' guitar with its . Something went wrong, please try again later. Phipps toured with a variety of 80s bands including XTC and Eurythmics before teaming up with Shephard again in the 90s. He was always a prima dona really.". To find out more, click here. Mark E. Smith. I didnt even like Gary Glitter all that much his songs were okay but I far preferred watching his backing band on Top Of The Pops and from a very early age had a little crush on the saxophonist, Harvey Ellison. Phipps was then asked to join Random Hold, a band he had already worked with a year or two before. The best track on it is Look What Youve Been Missing which saw John Rossall return to songwriting duties with Gerry Shephard. 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. Dominic, 54, who joined the group in the late 1990s, said: Our records are not played on the radio any more.. John Robb investigates. 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. 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. (wikipedia) Its a strong pop song and was also covered by French singer Sheila (aka Sheila & B. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. [6][7] He was also a member of Lawrence Hayward's post-Felt band Denim, which has been described as "self-consciously ironic glitter-pop revivalist project", playing on the 1992 album Back in Denim and the 1996 album Denim on Ice. As an experienced session drummer referred to as "The Human Timekeeper", the Memphis soul sensation performed with R&B legend Otis Redding (Try A Little Tenderness), nocturnal proto-funkster Wilson Pickett (In The Midnight Hour), blues idol Albert King (Born Under A Bad Sign) and seductive lothario Al Green (Let's Stay Together). Joyce Gibson is a lifelong music fan, inherited from her dad and now passed on to her niece. 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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. It again features the heavy Glitter sound and was another Rossall/Shephard composition. Joyce Gibson is a lifelong music fan, inherited from her dad and now passed on to her niece. He then rejoined Gary Glitter for UK, Middle East and US tours. 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. Who else? Devotion) of Spacer fame. 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. The B-side of this single, the instrumental Tuna Biscuit deserves a mention as its the only track drummer Tony Leonard gets a songwriting credit on, together with Phipps and Ellison. There are a few lowlights but it will allow you to hear the versatility of the band and that utterly distinctive hey! sound which made them famous. [3][5] The band, now working as a separate entity with Tony Leonard having replaced Pete Gill, as well as continuing to back Glitter, played a few well-received live shows before their first single came out, mixing some new songs with cover versions of 1950s and 1960s songs. The Glitter Band regrouped under their old name in 1980, around the same time as Gary Glitter himself moved back into focus. 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. The story of the Glitter Band begins in the mid 1960s. But original drummer Pete Phipps and bandmate Dominic Rodgers say their songs - recorded separately from Glitter's - are still not played on the radio. Experimenting in the studio one night Leander did one of those rare things: he synthesised a whole new pop sound from some unlikely sources. Zappa used two drummers in the Mothers in . The music group originally came jointly in 1972, pursuing Glitter's very own breakthrough using the strike "Stone.". Genres: Glam Rock, Pop Rock, Disco. Every day he would be in the studio producing session after session. Unfortunately, cover versions outweigh the much better original songs on the album. It was to no avail as the single failed to crack to the top 50. It got no airplay and failed to chart. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with drummer Pete Phipps which appeared in the November 2019 issue of the Beat. The Glitter Band had seven UK Top 20 hit singles in the mid-1970s, and three hit albums. It was reissued in 1985, again to no avail. John Springate went into record production in the 90s, becoming involved in the Hi-Energy dance scene and recording Nicki Frenchs hit cover of Total Eclipse Of The Heart. John Rossall died on 2 October 2021, at the age of 75.[14]. The name of the other one escapes me.. 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." STAGEWEAR - Badass custom Stage Wear For Bands & More ForTheFly Customs. The band also toured extensively in the time Gill was a member. The Glitterband certainly did use 2 drummers. Guitarist/vocalist Gerry Shephard, bassist/vocalist John Springate, drummers Pete Phipps and Tony Leonard, and horn players John Rossall and Harvey Ellison came together in 1972 . They guested on Denims glam rock themed 1992 album, Back In Denim with Shephard and his star guitar featuring in the video for Middle Of The Road. The band include some Glitter songs in their set but Dominic said music producer Mike Leander was the real genius behind the Glitter sound. The single, written by Springate and Phipps, never made it past a few initial commercial pressings on the Epic label. 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. And there are two drummers on some major jazz records such as Miles's Bitches Brew or John Coltrane's Meditations. - 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. 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. 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. It became their biggest hit in early 1975, reaching No.2. As a wholly independent publication, we rely entirely on our ad bookings to keep The Quietus going. Back copies can be ordered via the website. 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). 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. [7] Sales dropped in 1976, with the advent of punk rock. Also included is a rather ill-advised cover of the Rolling Stones Sympathy For The Devil their first cover version since the Hey! Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. In 1976, as Gary Glitter announced his retirement, the Glitter Band cut their last sonic links with the old sound. Really brill piece paying tribute to a hugely underrated band that were never given the credit they deserved. Rossall brought with him guitarist Gerry Shephard, saxophonist Harvey Ellison, and bassist Ray Moxley, who was soon sacked for urinating in Glitters drink. Originally Gary Glitter's backing band, these poppy glam musicians became stars in their own right with an eclectic pop sound. Great tunes still memorable unlike the depressing whiny songs of todays artists who wont be remembered in 50 years time. And Rossall has gone on record to say if Leander could play brass neither he nor Ellison would have featured either. Required fields are marked *. The Glitter band, though, are trapped by history. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Phipps also continued to record with Glitter Band colleagues pursuing solo identities, such as with John Springate recording an album together in John's own Rock Star Studio and playing drums on the album Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, by Gerry Shephard and Peter Oxendale. Originally called The Glitter Men, only Rossall and Ellison played on Glitters first two records every other instrument was played by Mike Leander. It was a real relief.". [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]. Drummers Pete Phipps and Tony Leonard eventually completed the line up. The band only played with Glitter for two years before going alone and scoring a string of top ten hits. Further hits followed between 1974 and 1976, along with the release of four albums. GARY Glitters former bandmates have spoken of their 20 years in the wilderness since the singer was unmasked as a paedophile. It got the full Leander production treatment, bringing the brass section and double drum sound to the fore, adding in the distinctive hey! chant. It came as a total shock.. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Please read all descriptions thoroughly before purchasing. Their choice of bandleader also reached back to that earlier era -- baritone sax player John Rossall had previously played with Leander's own eponymous orchestra, and with Glitter in the subsequent Boston International. It was written by Springate, Shephard and Eddie Seago, who also ran the bands management company. Pete said Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, even cut the band from a fi lm made about him. 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. He also restarted Glitter Band gigs, joining with some of the other original members, and has remained part of the Glitter Band with a number of different line-ups to the present day. 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. The band, unofficially known as the Glittermen while working with the singer between 1972 and 1974, barely spoke to him, said Pete, 64. 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. Ultimately, the Glitter Band became almost as successful, and certainly as well-known, as Gary Glitter himself. Gill stayed briefly in the band, recording only one album called Victim You in 1996. 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. [1], The Glitter Band had seven UK Top 20 hit singles in the mid-1970s, and three hit albums. 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. John Rossall was the leader of the Boston Show Band who had worked in Germany with one Paul Raven, and Mike Leander, his manager/co-writer. Originally called The Glitter Men, only Rossall and Ellison played on Glitter's first two records - every other instrument was played by Mike Leander. He would then go and overdub the bass, floor and small toms on one track; then the bass and the guitar. 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. [3] Shephard and Phipps had previously guested on Denim's Back In Denim (1992).[11]. There have been a few bands using 2 drummers - King Crimson did it live in 1994 as well. Originally Gary Glitter's backing band, these poppy glam musicians became stars in their own right with an eclectic pop sound. 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. Another single appeared in 1982, a Shephard and Springate song called Heartbeat To Heartache. Joyce tweets. In 2000 he teamed up once again with Shephard to pen the UKs Eurovision entry, Dont Play That Song Again, performed by French. 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. 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. He added: We separated in 1974 he hated the fact we recorded our own records.. The Glitter Band sound was what attracted me to them back in the day. Ive picked Games Up from this LP as it was also recorded by Hello and, although their version wasnt a hit, it is considered a great glam tune. 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. 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". Your email address will not be published. At the time it was the worst performing UK Eurovision entry, which Shephard said was a badge of honour. Trevor Horn played bass guitar for the band in this era. Particular kudos should be paid to Gerry Shephard and the slide effect he used on his famous star guitar. Read the choicest cuts from the Quietus archive: reviews, features and opinion, New Weird Britain In Review For November By Noel Gardner, Gary Glitter, Re-Writing Musical History & The Danger Of Censorship, John Robb On Massive Attack's Blue Lines - 21 Years On, Discussing Uganda: John Robb Visits East Africa, A Spotify Playlist To Celebrate The Launch Of Louder Than War, The Last Of The True Believers: Ian Astbury Interviewed, The Sea, The Sea: An Interview With Lankum, Use Your Days: An Interview With Gina Birch, The Horrors Of Britpop: An Interview With Heavenly, Maternity Beat: An Interview With Hedvig Mollestad. Play brass neither he nor Ellison would have featured either was a of! Independent publication, we rely entirely on our knowledge of you sound was What attracted me to them in! 1983 and 1984 he was a badge of honour a ballad, it was written by,. Regrouped under their old name in 1980, around the same time as Glitter. 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