David O'List
Encyclopedia
David 'Davy' O'List is a rock
guitarist
, vocalist and trumpeter.
Most notably, he played with The Attack
, The Nice
and Jet
.
in 1966; managed by Don Arden
, they were part of the 1960s Swinging London
scene, and released four singles - "Try It / We Don't Know" (Decca F 12550), "Hi Ho Silver Lining / Anymore Than I Do" (Decca F 12578), "Created By Clive / Colour Of My Mind" (Decca F 12631) and "Neville Thumbcatch / Lady Orange Peel" (Decca F 12725)
.
The Nice
O'List was picked by Andrew Loog Oldham
as guitarist for The Nice
, then a backing band for P. P. Arnold
, and left The Attack in February 1967. By May, the band were gigging in their own right, and gained their own billing at the National Jazz and Blues Festival
that summer; their first album, however, did not appear until early 1968. Their only hit single, "America", a heavily re-worked version of Leonard Bernstein
's song from West Side Story
achieved number 21 in the UK charts in July of that year. O'List's style in The Nice was described by Bruce Eder of Allmusic as "Hendrix-ish
guitar ... in sharp relief." However, with two strong instrumentalists competing, O'List left The Nice in autumn 1968 during the recordings for their second album
.
While with The Nice, O'List substituted for Syd Barrett
in Pink Floyd
briefly in 1967
After The Nice
Solo career
O'List released a solo
album
in 1997, entitled Flight of the Eagle.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, vocalist and trumpeter.
Most notably, he played with The Attack
The Attack (band)
The Attack were a freakbeat/psychedelic rock band formed in 1966 around singer Richard Shirman . The first line-up featured drummer Alan Whitehead from Marmalade, guitarist David O'List and John Du Cann . Their first single "Try It" had also been recorded by The Standells and Ohio Express...
, The Nice
The Nice
The Nice were an English progressive rock band from the 1960s, known for their blend of rock, jazz and classical music. Their debut album, The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack was released in 1967 to immediate acclaim. It is often considered the first progressive rock album...
and Jet
Jet (UK band)
Jet were a glam rock band from London formed in 1974. They released one album in 1975 before splitting up, with the bulk of the band going on to become the punk/new wave band Radio Stars.-History:...
.
Career
O'List (using the name David John) started The AttackThe Attack (band)
The Attack were a freakbeat/psychedelic rock band formed in 1966 around singer Richard Shirman . The first line-up featured drummer Alan Whitehead from Marmalade, guitarist David O'List and John Du Cann . Their first single "Try It" had also been recorded by The Standells and Ohio Express...
in 1966; managed by Don Arden
Don Arden
Don Arden , born Harry Levy, was an English music manager, agent and businessman, best known for overseeing the careers of rock groups Small Faces, Electric Light Orchestra and Black Sabbath....
, they were part of the 1960s Swinging London
Swinging London
Swinging London is a catch-all term applied to the fashion and cultural scene that flourished in London, in the 1960s.It was a youth-oriented phenomenon that emphasised the new and modern. It was a period of optimism and hedonism, and a cultural revolution. One catalyst was the recovery of the...
scene, and released four singles - "Try It / We Don't Know" (Decca F 12550), "Hi Ho Silver Lining / Anymore Than I Do" (Decca F 12578), "Created By Clive / Colour Of My Mind" (Decca F 12631) and "Neville Thumbcatch / Lady Orange Peel" (Decca F 12725)
.
The Nice
O'List was picked by Andrew Loog Oldham
Andrew Loog Oldham
Andrew Loog Oldham is an English producer, talent manager, impresario and author. He was manager and producer of The Rolling Stones from 1963, and was noted for his flamboyant style.-Biography:...
as guitarist for The Nice
The Nice
The Nice were an English progressive rock band from the 1960s, known for their blend of rock, jazz and classical music. Their debut album, The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack was released in 1967 to immediate acclaim. It is often considered the first progressive rock album...
, then a backing band for P. P. Arnold
P. P. Arnold
P. P. Arnold is an American-born soul singer who enjoyed considerable success in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and beyond.-Early life:...
, and left The Attack in February 1967. By May, the band were gigging in their own right, and gained their own billing at the National Jazz and Blues Festival
National Jazz and Blues Festival
The National Jazz and Blues Festival was the precursor to the Reading Rock Festival and was the brainchild of Harold Pendleton, the manager of the prestigious Marquee Club in Soho....
that summer; their first album, however, did not appear until early 1968. Their only hit single, "America", a heavily re-worked version of Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
's song from West Side Story
West Side Story
West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
achieved number 21 in the UK charts in July of that year. O'List's style in The Nice was described by Bruce Eder of Allmusic as "Hendrix-ish
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
guitar ... in sharp relief." However, with two strong instrumentalists competing, O'List left The Nice in autumn 1968 during the recordings for their second album
Ars Longa Vita Brevis (album)
Ars Longa Vita Brevis is the second album by the English progressive rock group The Nice.Guitarist David O'List left the band during the recording of the album, leaving the remaining three members to complete it. After flirting briefly with replacement guitarists , The Nice decided to carry on as a...
.
While with The Nice, O'List substituted for Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
in Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
briefly in 1967
After The Nice
- O'List also played briefly in Jethro TullJethro Tull (band)Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
after the departure of Mick AbrahamsMick AbrahamsMichael Timothy 'Mick' Abrahams was the original guitarist for Jethro Tull. He recorded the album This Was with the band in 1968, but conflicts between Abrahams and Ian Anderson over the musical direction of the band led Abrahams to leave once the album was finished... - In early 1969, O'List provided guitar and bass for The MisunderstoodThe MisunderstoodThe Misunderstood were a psychedelic rock band originating from Riverside, California in the mid-1960s. The band moved to London early in their career, and although they recorded only a handful of songs before being forced to disband, they are considered highly influential in the then-emerging...
. - and an early version of Roxy MusicRoxy MusicRoxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
between October 1971 and September 1972. - After Roxy Music O'List was rehearsing at Unit Studio in London's Kings Cross, with a band that had the working name of "Nice Too" which included US pianist Nicky Babel and had Paul "Doc" Stewart and Jim Slade as sound engineers.
- before joining JetJet (UK band)Jet were a glam rock band from London formed in 1974. They released one album in 1975 before splitting up, with the bulk of the band going on to become the punk/new wave band Radio Stars.-History:...
in 1974.
Solo career
O'List released a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
in 1997, entitled Flight of the Eagle.
External links
- Official web site
- [ Davy O'List biography] at Allmusic websiteWebsiteA website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
- An Interview With The Nice's Davy O'List By Keith Jordan