The Gods (band)
Encyclopedia
The Gods were an English group founded in 1965. The original bandmembers included Mick Taylor
(later with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the Rolling Stones
), Brian Glascock
, and his brother John
(later with Jethro Tull
).
. They eventually signed with EMI
/ Columbia Records
. Their first 7" single (Columbia DB7339) appeared in 1964 ("There's a Pretty Girl"/"Pocket Size"). In 1965, the line-up changed. Mick Taylor continued to play guitar and teamed up with Ken Hensley
(organ/vocals) (later guitarist with Uriah Heep
). They also added Joe Konas (guitar/vocals) and changed their name to "The Gods".
In 1966, The Gods opened for Cream
at the Starlite Ballroom in Wembley
, London.
A single (Come On Down To My Boat Baby/Garage Man) was recorded in early 1967. At this point the line-up included Mick Taylor
, Ken Hensley
, John Glascock
, Brian Glascock
and Lee Kerslake
.
In May 1967, Mick Taylor got a call from John Mayall
who was looking for a new guitarist to replace Peter Green
. When Taylor joined the Bluesbreakers, he left behind a faltering bluesband. The band sought to revive their fortunes on the club/college circuit. They relocated to London and secured a residency at The Marquee. John Glascock (bass) was replaced by Greg Lake
in June 1967. Greg Lake was too talented for the background role the rest of the band had in mind for him and in the Summer of 1968 he split to join King Crimson
. The band had to re-group again and John Glascock
was asked to return.
With John Glascock
back in the fold they recorded a couple of progressive rock albums and a few singles. Of their singles, "Hey! Bulldog", The Beatles
track, is their best known, and both sides have been included on the compilation album
, The Great British Psychedelic Trip Vol. 3. The band played an amalgam of psychedelia and progressivism. Tracks like "Towards The Skies" and "Time And Eternity" from their 1968 album Genesis
are full of heavy ploughing Hammond organ
and distorted guitar riffs and Ken Hensley's unique and rather dramatic vocals add a further dimension.
Most of The Gods' material is fairly typical late 1960s pop/rock, epitomised by songs like "Radio Show" and "Yes I Cry". There are shades of Vanilla Fudge
on their cover of West Side Story extract "Maria". On a few tracks like "Candlelight" and "Real Love Guaranteed" there is an inkling of the heavier sound Hensley and Kerslake would propagate in their next venture, Uriah Heep
.
The Gods were the successors of The Rolling Stones
at the Marquee Club
in London.
After recording two albums, Genesis
(1968) and To Samuel a Son (1969), they signed with a new record company, recruited Rebel Rousers
singer Cliff Bennett
and changed their name to Toe Fat
, which also lasted two years and two albums.
Note:
The Gods did Not change their name to Toe Fat, rather Joe Konas left [moved to Canada] and the rest were hired to be part of Cliff Bennett's new band [Toe Fat]. After one album Hensley left, joined 'Spice' [to soon be renamed Uriah Heep], and Kerslake who played [uncredited] on some of Toe Fat '2', joined The National Head Band. He didn't join Heep til after their 3rd album.
Also, Greg Lake was in the band for about 6 months when they were discovered by Producer David Paramor and Ron Fetaherstone [of EMI]. Lake left as he was vying to be top dog with Hensley, and was replaced by John Glasscock [again]. Prior to Lake Paul Newton was in the Gods, he would leave to join Spice, and later recommended Hensley for that band [as it became Uriah Heep].
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
(later with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
), Brian Glascock
Brian Glascock
Brian Glascock is known as a rock drummer for The Gods, Toe Fat, Bee Gees, Carmen, Captain Beyond and The Motels. He also played on albums by Joan Armatrading, Dolly Parton and Iggy Pop and performed in a music video with Nancy Wilson of Heart.He currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he...
, and his brother John
John Glascock
John Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
(later with Jethro Tull
Jethro 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...
).
Career
They were schoolmates from Hatfield and had been playing together as The Juniors (or The Strangers), a band they formed in 1962. Also part of this band were Malcolm Collins and Alan ShacklockAlan Shacklock
Alan Shacklock is an English musician, composer, arranger and recording producer who currently lives and works in Nashville, Tennessee...
. They eventually signed with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/ Columbia Records
Columbia Graphophone Company
The Columbia Graphophone Company was one of the earliest gramophone companies in the United Kingdom. Under EMI, as Columbia Records, it became a very successful label in the 1950s and 1960s...
. Their first 7" single (Columbia DB7339) appeared in 1964 ("There's a Pretty Girl"/"Pocket Size"). In 1965, the line-up changed. Mick Taylor continued to play guitar and teamed up with Ken Hensley
Ken Hensley
Kenneth William David Hensley is a keyboard player , guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s....
(organ/vocals) (later guitarist with Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
). They also added Joe Konas (guitar/vocals) and changed their name to "The Gods".
In 1966, The Gods opened for Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
at the Starlite Ballroom in Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
, London.
A single (Come On Down To My Boat Baby/Garage Man) was recorded in early 1967. At this point the line-up included Mick Taylor
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
, Ken Hensley
Ken Hensley
Kenneth William David Hensley is a keyboard player , guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s....
, John Glascock
John Glascock
John Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
, Brian Glascock
Brian Glascock
Brian Glascock is known as a rock drummer for The Gods, Toe Fat, Bee Gees, Carmen, Captain Beyond and The Motels. He also played on albums by Joan Armatrading, Dolly Parton and Iggy Pop and performed in a music video with Nancy Wilson of Heart.He currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he...
and Lee Kerslake
Lee Kerslake
Lee Kerslake is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne band...
.
In May 1967, Mick Taylor got a call from John Mayall
John Mayall
John Mayall, OBE is an English blues singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose musical career spans over fifty years...
who was looking for a new guitarist to replace Peter Green
Peter Green (musician)
Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
. When Taylor joined the Bluesbreakers, he left behind a faltering bluesband. The band sought to revive their fortunes on the club/college circuit. They relocated to London and secured a residency at The Marquee. John Glascock (bass) was replaced by Greg Lake
Greg Lake
Gregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
in June 1967. Greg Lake was too talented for the background role the rest of the band had in mind for him and in the Summer of 1968 he split to join King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
. The band had to re-group again and John Glascock
John Glascock
John Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
was asked to return.
With John Glascock
John Glascock
John Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
back in the fold they recorded a couple of progressive rock albums and a few singles. Of their singles, "Hey! Bulldog", The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
track, is their best known, and both sides have been included on the compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, The Great British Psychedelic Trip Vol. 3. The band played an amalgam of psychedelia and progressivism. Tracks like "Towards The Skies" and "Time And Eternity" from their 1968 album Genesis
Genesis (The Gods album)
Genesis is the debut album by the British band The Gods. The LP was recorded in 1968 and released that same year by EMI / Columbia Records) in the UK...
are full of heavy ploughing Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
and distorted guitar riffs and Ken Hensley's unique and rather dramatic vocals add a further dimension.
Most of The Gods' material is fairly typical late 1960s pop/rock, epitomised by songs like "Radio Show" and "Yes I Cry". There are shades of Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge is an American rock band. The band's original lineup – vocalist/organist Mark Stein, bassist/vocalist Tim Bogert, lead guitarist/vocalist Vince Martell, and drummer/vocalist Carmine Appice – recorded five albums during the years 1966–69, before disbanding in 1970...
on their cover of West Side Story extract "Maria". On a few tracks like "Candlelight" and "Real Love Guaranteed" there is an inkling of the heavier sound Hensley and Kerslake would propagate in their next venture, Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
.
The Gods were the successors of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
at the Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
in London.
After recording two albums, Genesis
Genesis (The Gods album)
Genesis is the debut album by the British band The Gods. The LP was recorded in 1968 and released that same year by EMI / Columbia Records) in the UK...
(1968) and To Samuel a Son (1969), they signed with a new record company, recruited Rebel Rousers
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers were a 1960s British rhythm and blues, soul and beat group who had two Top 10 hits with "One Way Love" and "Got to Get You into My Life" ....
singer Cliff Bennett
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers were a 1960s British rhythm and blues, soul and beat group who had two Top 10 hits with "One Way Love" and "Got to Get You into My Life" ....
and changed their name to Toe Fat
Toe Fat
Toe Fat was an English rock music band, active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep.-Career:Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett and, in the course of its two year, two album career, featured lead guitarist and...
, which also lasted two years and two albums.
Personnel
The following have been members of The Gods-- John GlascockJohn GlascockJohn Glascock was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979...
(bass) (later with Toe FatToe FatToe Fat was an English rock music band, active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep.-Career:Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett and, in the course of its two year, two album career, featured lead guitarist and...
, Chicken ShackChicken ShackChicken Shack are a British blues band, founded in the mid-1960s by Stan Webb , Andy Silvester , and Alan Morley , who were later joined by Christine Perfect in 1968.-Career:...
, CarmenCarmen (rock band)Carmen was a British-American band active from 1970–1975. Their style was a fusion of rock music and flamenco music and dance. While the band achieved some success in recording and performance, its greatest significance lies in later contributions of its members to more famous rock...
, 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...
) - Brian GlascockBrian GlascockBrian Glascock is known as a rock drummer for The Gods, Toe Fat, Bee Gees, Carmen, Captain Beyond and The Motels. He also played on albums by Joan Armatrading, Dolly Parton and Iggy Pop and performed in a music video with Nancy Wilson of Heart.He currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he...
(drums) (later with The MotelsThe MotelsThe Motels are a New Wave music band from the Los Angeles area best known for "Only the Lonely" and "Suddenly Last Summer", each of which peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982 and 1983, respectively. Their song "Total Control" reached #4 on the Australian charts in 1980...
and with the Bee GeesBee GeesThe Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
) - Mick TaylorMick TaylorMichael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
(guitar) (later with John Mayall & the BluesbreakersJohn Mayall & the BluesbreakersJohn Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are a pioneering English blues band, led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist John Mayall, OBE. Mayall used the band name between 1963 and 1967, but then dropped it for some fifteen years. However, in 1982 a 'Return of the Bluesbreakers' was announced and...
and the Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
) - Ken HensleyKen HensleyKenneth William David Hensley is a keyboard player , guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s....
(organ and vocals, occasional guitar) (later with Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
) - Joe Konas (guitar/vocals)
- Lee KerslakeLee KerslakeLee Kerslake is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne band...
(drums) (later with Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
) - Paul NewtonPaul Newton (musician)Paul Newton was the original bass guitarist for Uriah Heep, and played on the band's first three albums. He subsequently played for a band called "Carnival" for several years on the Mecca Palais circuit and also worked as a studio musician and appeared on various recordings...
(bass) (later with Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
) - Greg LakeGreg LakeGregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
(bass) (later with King CrimsonKing CrimsonKing Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
and Emerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
) - Cliff Bennett (vocals) (of Cliff Bennett and the Rebel RousersCliff Bennett and the Rebel RousersCliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers were a 1960s British rhythm and blues, soul and beat group who had two Top 10 hits with "One Way Love" and "Got to Get You into My Life" ....
) - Alan ShacklockAlan ShacklockAlan Shacklock is an English musician, composer, arranger and recording producer who currently lives and works in Nashville, Tennessee...
(guitar) (later with Babe RuthBabe Ruth (band)Babe Ruth are a rock music group, primarily active through the 1970s, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. Their characteristically 'heavy' sound is marked by powerful vocals from Janita Haan and full arrangements by Alan Shacklock...
)
Singles
- "Come On Down To My Boat Baby / Garage Man" (Polydor 56168)
- "Baby's Rich" / "Somewhere In The Street" (Columbia DB 8486)
- "Hey Bulldog" / "Real Love Guaranteed" (Columbia DB 8544)
- "Maria" (from "West Side Story") / "Long Time Sad Time Bad Time" (Columbia DB 8572)
Albums
- GenesisGenesis (The Gods album)Genesis is the debut album by the British band The Gods. The LP was recorded in 1968 and released that same year by EMI / Columbia Records) in the UK...
(L.P. Columbia SCX 6286) 1968, re-issued 1994 Repertoire Records - To Samuel a Son (L.P. Columbia SCX 6372) 1969, re-issued 1995 Repertoire Records
- Best of The Gods (compilation CD)
External links
Note:
The Gods did Not change their name to Toe Fat, rather Joe Konas left [moved to Canada] and the rest were hired to be part of Cliff Bennett's new band [Toe Fat]. After one album Hensley left, joined 'Spice' [to soon be renamed Uriah Heep], and Kerslake who played [uncredited] on some of Toe Fat '2', joined The National Head Band. He didn't join Heep til after their 3rd album.
Also, Greg Lake was in the band for about 6 months when they were discovered by Producer David Paramor and Ron Fetaherstone [of EMI]. Lake left as he was vying to be top dog with Hensley, and was replaced by John Glasscock [again]. Prior to Lake Paul Newton was in the Gods, he would leave to join Spice, and later recommended Hensley for that band [as it became Uriah Heep].