Eire Apparent
Encyclopedia
Eire Apparent was a band from Northern Ireland
, noted for launching the careers of Henry McCullough
and Ernie Graham
, and for having Jimi Hendrix
play on, and produce, their only album.
(born Ernest Harold Graham, 14 June 1946, Belfast
), drummer Davy Lutton (born William David Lutton, 1946, Belfast
) and bassist Chris Stewart (born Eric Christopher Stewart, 1946, Belfast
, Co Antrim), and had also included former Them
keyboard player Eric Wrixon
, bass player Mike Niblett and guitarists David "Tiger" Taylor and George O'Hara. They had contributed two songs to the February 1966 compilation album Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups From Belfast's Maritime Club. In mid-1966 a "browned-off" Eric Wrixon announced the band were moving to England: "We hope it's forever... Nowhere, but nowhere, could be worse than Belfast." At the time they were using a stand-in guitarist and hoping to recruit Billy Harrison (ex-Them). Very soon afterwards Wrixon defected to another Belfast group resident on the Blackpool scene, The Wheels. Guitarist Henry McCullough
(formerly of The Sky Rockets Showband and Gene and The Gents
) from Portstewart
in Northern Ireland
teamed up with The People and they developed a strong reputation on the Blackpool and then the Dublin music scenes.
Chas Chandler
and Mike Jeffery, who changed the band's name to 'Eire Apparent' - Jeffery wanted to exploit the Irish dimension and his wife came up with the new name.
Eire Apparent were briefly signed to Track Records
, who also handled Chandler and Jeffery's protege Jimi Hendrix
, and recorded one single, "Follow Me" / "Here I Go Again," released in January 1968, before they left Track. Despite only having released the one single, Chandler and Jeffery sent them on tour to North America with headliners The Animals
during February and March 1968. Things went well until, in Vancouver, Canada in mid February, McCullough was busted for possession of marijuana and sent back to Ireland, so guitarist Mick Cox (born Michael Charles Cox, 1943, Gillingham, Kent
, died August 2008; formerly of The Alleykatz and The End) flew out to take his place in the band. By May McCullough had joined Sweeney's Men
in Ireland.
The new line-up continued to tour North America with the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Soft Machine
, and held recording sessions in New York's Record Plant studio with Hendrix in May (probably taping their next single "Let Me Stay" / "Yes I Need Someone"). The album Sunrise was mostly cut in late October 1968 in Los Angeles
, with Jimi Hendrix
producing. Hendrix also played on a number of tracks (including "Yes I Need Someone" and "The Clown"), whilst Noel Redding
, Mitch Mitchell
and Robert Wyatt
are also credited (Redding and Wyatt singing on "1026" and/or "The Clown"). The album was released on Buddah Records
in the US and the UK in May 1969.
Cox was replaced by guitarist David "Tiger" Taylor in November 1968, shortly after the album was recorded. Taylor had already been a member of The People during 1965, and he co-wrote their "Rock 'N' Roll Band" single recorded in London in January 1969, again featuring Jimi Hendrix. This line up of Taylor, Graham, Stewart and Lutton then toured Europe with Hendrix and in April 1969 recorded the band's only Peel Session. Guitarist Peter Tolson is also cited as having replaced Taylor on this session. Guitarist Steve Jolly formerly of Sam Apple Pie
later joined the band.
In May 1969, Beat Instrumental reported that they were recording tracks for a second Eire Apparent album (reportedly produced by Soft Machine
drummer Robert Wyatt) but it never saw the light of day. In May 1970, hardly noticed by the public, the band broke up.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, noted for launching the careers of Henry McCullough
Henry McCullough
Henry McCullough Henry McCullough Henry McCullough (born Henry Campbell Liken McCullough, 21 July 1943, Portstewart, Northern Ireland is an Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who has played guitar in such bands as Sweeney's Men, Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, and The Grease Band. He...
and Ernie Graham
Ernie Graham
Ernie Graham was a singer, guitarist and songwriter, active from the mid 1960s to the early 1980s-Early life:...
, and for having Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
play on, and produce, their only album.
The People
Pop outfit The People - who had evolved out of earlier band 'Tony & The Telstars' - featured singer Ernie GrahamErnie Graham
Ernie Graham was a singer, guitarist and songwriter, active from the mid 1960s to the early 1980s-Early life:...
(born Ernest Harold Graham, 14 June 1946, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
), drummer Davy Lutton (born William David Lutton, 1946, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
) and bassist Chris Stewart (born Eric Christopher Stewart, 1946, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Co Antrim), and had also included former Them
Them (band)
Them were a Northern Irish band formed in Belfast in April 1964, most prominently known for the garage rock standard "Gloria" and launching singer Van Morrison's musical career...
keyboard player Eric Wrixon
Eric Wrixon
Eric Wrixon is a musician from Northern Ireland. He was a founder member of both Them and Thin Lizzy. It was Wrixon who came up with the enigmatic band name 'Them' but as he was a minor, his parents declined to sign a recording contract on his behalf and he was replaced prior to recording with the...
, bass player Mike Niblett and guitarists David "Tiger" Taylor and George O'Hara. They had contributed two songs to the February 1966 compilation album Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups From Belfast's Maritime Club. In mid-1966 a "browned-off" Eric Wrixon announced the band were moving to England: "We hope it's forever... Nowhere, but nowhere, could be worse than Belfast." At the time they were using a stand-in guitarist and hoping to recruit Billy Harrison (ex-Them). Very soon afterwards Wrixon defected to another Belfast group resident on the Blackpool scene, The Wheels. Guitarist Henry McCullough
Henry McCullough
Henry McCullough Henry McCullough Henry McCullough (born Henry Campbell Liken McCullough, 21 July 1943, Portstewart, Northern Ireland is an Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who has played guitar in such bands as Sweeney's Men, Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, and The Grease Band. He...
(formerly of The Sky Rockets Showband and Gene and The Gents
Gene and The Gents
Gene and The Gents were an Irish showband from Enniskillen who achieved chart success with tracks including The way you wrinkle your nose and I came as a stranger and stayed as a friend as well as Puppet on a String...
) from Portstewart
Portstewart
Portstewart is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 7,803 people in the 2001 Census. It is a seaside resort neighbouring Portrush. Of the two towns, Portstewart is decidedly quieter with more sedate attractions. Its harbour and scenic coastal paths form an...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
teamed up with The People and they developed a strong reputation on the Blackpool and then the Dublin music scenes.
Eire Apparent
In 1967 the band moved to London and were signed by ex-AnimalThe Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
Chas Chandler
Chas Chandler
Bryan James "Chas" Chandler was an English musician, record producer and manager of several successful music acts....
and Mike Jeffery, who changed the band's name to 'Eire Apparent' - Jeffery wanted to exploit the Irish dimension and his wife came up with the new name.
Eire Apparent were briefly signed to Track Records
Track Records
Track Records is an English record label founded in London in 1966 by Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, then managers of hard rock band The Who. The most successful artists whose work appeared on the Track label were The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Thunderclap...
, who also handled Chandler and Jeffery's protege Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, and recorded one single, "Follow Me" / "Here I Go Again," released in January 1968, before they left Track. Despite only having released the one single, Chandler and Jeffery sent them on tour to North America with headliners The Animals
The Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
during February and March 1968. Things went well until, in Vancouver, Canada in mid February, McCullough was busted for possession of marijuana and sent back to Ireland, so guitarist Mick Cox (born Michael Charles Cox, 1943, Gillingham, Kent
Gillingham, Kent
Gillingham is a town in the unitary authority of Medway in South East England. It is part of the ceremonial county of Kent. The town includes the settlements of Brompton, Hempstead, Rainham, Rainham Mark and Twydall....
, died August 2008; formerly of The Alleykatz and The End) flew out to take his place in the band. By May McCullough had joined Sweeney's Men
Sweeney's Men
Sweeney's Men was an Irish traditional band. They emerged from the late 1960s Irish roots revival, along with groups such as The Dubliners and the Clancy Brothers. The founding line-up in May 1966 was 'Galway Joe' Dolan, Johnny Moynihan and Andy Irvine....
in Ireland.
The new line-up continued to tour North America with the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Soft Machine
Soft Machine
Soft Machine were an English rock band from Canterbury, named after the book The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. They were one of the central bands in the Canterbury scene, and helped pioneer the progressive rock genre...
, and held recording sessions in New York's Record Plant studio with Hendrix in May (probably taping their next single "Let Me Stay" / "Yes I Need Someone"). The album Sunrise was mostly cut in late October 1968 in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, with Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
producing. Hendrix also played on a number of tracks (including "Yes I Need Someone" and "The Clown"), whilst Noel Redding
Noel Redding
Noel Redding was an English rock and roll guitarist best known as the bassist for The Jimi Hendrix Experience.-Biography:...
, Mitch Mitchell
Mitch Mitchell
John Ronald "Mitch" Mitchell was an English drummer, best known for his work in The Jimi Hendrix Experience.-Early life and the Jimi Hendrix Experience:...
and Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career...
are also credited (Redding and Wyatt singing on "1026" and/or "The Clown"). The album was released on Buddah Records
Buddah Records
Buddah Records was founded in 1967 in New York City. The label was born out of Kama Sutra Records, an MGM Records-distributed label, which remained a key imprint following Buddah's founding...
in the US and the UK in May 1969.
Cox was replaced by guitarist David "Tiger" Taylor in November 1968, shortly after the album was recorded. Taylor had already been a member of The People during 1965, and he co-wrote their "Rock 'N' Roll Band" single recorded in London in January 1969, again featuring Jimi Hendrix. This line up of Taylor, Graham, Stewart and Lutton then toured Europe with Hendrix and in April 1969 recorded the band's only Peel Session. Guitarist Peter Tolson is also cited as having replaced Taylor on this session. Guitarist Steve Jolly formerly of Sam Apple Pie
Sam Apple Pie
Sam Apple Pie were a British blues-rock band, of the late 1960s and 1970s, noted for having played at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970, and for playing a role in the early careers of several musicians including Gary Fletcher, Dave Charles and Malcolm Morley.-Biography:Formed in Walthamstow,...
later joined the band.
In May 1969, Beat Instrumental reported that they were recording tracks for a second Eire Apparent album (reportedly produced by Soft Machine
Soft Machine
Soft Machine were an English rock band from Canterbury, named after the book The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. They were one of the central bands in the Canterbury scene, and helped pioneer the progressive rock genre...
drummer Robert Wyatt) but it never saw the light of day. In May 1970, hardly noticed by the public, the band broke up.
Subsequent careers
- Ernie Graham recorded one solo album in 1971, was briefly a member of Help YourselfHelp Yourself (band)Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s whose style developed from “American-flavoured country-rock… …to acid-drenched psych.”.-History:...
in 1972 and then co-founded pub rock combo ClancyClancy (band)Clancy were a British rock group, prominent in the pub rock scene of the early 1970s. They issued two albums on Warner Bros. Records, but did not achieve chart success.-History:...
. He then gave up being a professional musician, worked on the railways, and was training to become a counsellor when he died in April 2001. - Davy Lutton played with Heavy JellyHeavy JellyHeavy Jelly - There are three bands of this name.*Skip Bifferty under a new name *A band backing Jackie Lomax.*A band created by Simon Napier-Bell whose records were only issued in the States....
in 1970, EllisEllisEllis is a first name and surname of Welshoriginal spelling. At the time of the British Census of 1881, its relative frequency was highest in Merioneth , followed by Flintshire, Denbighshire, Caernarfonshire, Montgomeryshire, Anglesey, Devon, Kinross-shire, Shropshire and Yorkshire...
(1972–73), Marc BolanMarc BolanMarc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
(1974–76) and assisted Chris SpeddingChris SpeddingChris Spedding is an English rock and roll and jazz guitarist, best known for his session work. Allmusic states - "Spedding is one of the UK's most versatile session guitarists, and has had a long career on two continents that saw him tackle nearly every style of rock and roll, as well as...
on his 1979 Guitar Graffiti album. - Chris Stewart became one of rock's most durable bass players and a musical partner for Frankie MillerFrankie MillerFrankie Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter, who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school. He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel...
(1975–78). Further jobs include Spooky ToothSpooky ToothSpooky Tooth are an English rock band principally active, with intermittent breakups, between 1967 to 1974. In recent years, the band has been reconstituted at various points, and continues to perform occasionally.-Career:...
, Joe CockerJoe CockerJohn Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
, Jim CapaldiJim CapaldiNicola James "Jim" Capaldi was an English musician and songwriter. His musical career lasted more than four decades. He co-founded Traffic in Birmingham with Steve Winwood, and the band's psychedelic rock was influential in Britain and the United States...
, Eric BurdonEric BurdonEric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
, Graham BonnetGraham BonnetGraham Bonnet is an English rock vocalist, and songwriter. He has recorded and performed as a solo artist, and as a member of several hard rock and heavy metal bands including Rainbow, the Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz, and Impellitteri.-Early days:Bonnet was born in Skegness in 1947...
, and Terry ReidTerry ReidTerry Reid is an English rock vocalist and guitarist. He has performed with high profile musicians, as a supporting act, a session musician, and sideman.- History :...
. - Henry McCulloughHenry McCulloughHenry McCullough Henry McCullough Henry McCullough (born Henry Campbell Liken McCullough, 21 July 1943, Portstewart, Northern Ireland is an Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who has played guitar in such bands as Sweeney's Men, Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, and The Grease Band. He...
joined Sweeney's MenSweeney's MenSweeney's Men was an Irish traditional band. They emerged from the late 1960s Irish roots revival, along with groups such as The Dubliners and the Clancy Brothers. The founding line-up in May 1966 was 'Galway Joe' Dolan, Johnny Moynihan and Andy Irvine....
and, later on, became The Grease BandThe Grease BandThe Grease Band was a rock band that started out as Joe Cocker's backing band. They recorded two albums in the 1970s. They are probably most widely known for their performance of The Beatles song, "With a Little Help from My Friends", with Joe Cocker at the Woodstock Festival in 1969...
's lead guitarist. From 1971 to 1973 he played with Paul McCartney and Wings, before he too spent time playing with Frankie Miller. He has also released several solo albums. - Mick Cox formed Magnet (1969–71). Their first single in August 1969 was "Let Me Stay" / "Mr. Guy Fawkes" - both originally from the Sunrise album. He later formed his eponymous band in 1973 which included Chris Stewart (one album on Capitol RecordsCapitol RecordsCapitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
) and played on Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
's album Common OneCommon OneCommon One is the twelfth album by Northern Irish singer/songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1980.It has been said to be one of his most ambitious and daring albums since Astral Weeks...
in 1983. According to Tony Brown's sleeve notes, Cox offered the tapes of a Hendrix jam-session to Peter Shertser of Red Lightin' Records, which were released as Woke Up This Morning and Found Myself DeadWoke Up This Morning and Found Myself DeadWoke Up This Morning and Found Myself Dead is a posthumous live album by Jimi Hendrix released in Canada 1980 by Stony Plain Recording Co. and in the USA by Red Lightnin' Records... - David "Tiger" Taylor later formed Anno Domini, who recorded one album, before joining The Freshmen.
- Peter Tolson played for the Pretty ThingsPretty ThingsThe Pretty Things are an English rock and roll band from London, who originally formed in 1963. They took their name from Bo Diddley's 1955 song "Pretty Thing" and, in their early days, were dubbed by the British press the "uglier cousins of the Rolling Stones". Their most commercially successful...
from 1970 to 1976. - Steve Jolly joined Bobby HarrisonBobby HarrisonBobby Harrison is a drummer. He was an early member of Procol Harum, but shortly after their 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was released, he and guitarist Ray Royer left the group to form the band Freedom...
(ex Procol HarumProcol HarumProcol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
drummer), Pete Dennis and the late Roger Saunders in their band, FreedomFreedom (band)Freedom was a psychedelic rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s, formed initially by members of Procol Harum.Ray Royer and Bobby Harrison, who had performed on the hit Procol Harum single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", were kicked out of the Harum by vocalist Gary Brooker, and replaced by...
.
Discography
- "I'm With You" / "Well... All Right" (as 'The People') - included on Ireland's Greatest Sounds (Ember Records LP, February 1966)
- "Follow Me" / "Here I Go Again" (Track Records single, January 1968)
- "Let Me Stay" / "Yes I Need Someone" (Buddah Records mono promo, circa September 1968)
- "Rock 'N' Roll Band" / "Yes I Need Someone" (Buddah Records single, March 1969, and in the UK on Buddah 201 039 Apr 1969, re-released on Buddah 2011 117 Mar 1972)
- Sunrise (Buddah Records LP, May 1969, Buddah 203 021 in the UK)
- "The Price of Love" / "Highway 61" / "Blues" / "Gloria" - live recordings included on the Jimi Hendrix Experience bootleg Liederhalle Stuttgart January 19, 1969 1st Show (Eire Apparent were the support act)
- "Gloria" / "Yes, I Need Someone" - BBC Top GearTop Gear (radio show)Top Gear was originally a short-lived pop music show on the BBC Light Programme in the mid-1960s.- Origin and format :It was one of the Corporation's few attempts to compete with the pirate radio stations and Radio Luxembourg, who had attracted large audiences of young British pop music listeners...
recordings from April 1969 included on The Pretty ThingsPretty ThingsThe Pretty Things are an English rock and roll band from London, who originally formed in 1963. They took their name from Bo Diddley's 1955 song "Pretty Thing" and, in their early days, were dubbed by the British press the "uglier cousins of the Rolling Stones". Their most commercially successful...
unauthorised CD The Forgotten Beebs (Tendolar, 2008; Pretty Things guitarist Peter Tolson supposedly played on these tracks; "Highway 61 Revisited" was also recorded at this session)