If (Band)
If was a British fusion band led by John Mealing (keyboards), Terry Smith ( guitar), Jim Richardson ( bass), Dennis Elliot (drums), Dick Morrissey (saxophone, flute), JW Hodkinson (vocals, percussion) and Dave Quincy (saxophone ) was founded in London in 1969.
With its sophisticated jazz-rock they were initially as competitors from bands like Blood, Sweat & Tears. Unlike their American competitors of the formation, however, never achieved his great commercial breakthrough. Although the band several times toured the United States and across the European continent and occurred in the German Beat-Club as well as at the BBC, the band split after the album If4 / Waterfall on a temporary basis. Smith and Quincy founded the Afro - rock group Zzebra. If was reformed by the saxophonist Dick Morrissey in 1973 with new members. In this phase, the band tried to tap in vain through increased emphasis rock a new commercial market. In 1975, the band broke up for good. Musicians from the different eras of the band were later worked as a session musician in other projects. Dick Morrissey played among others Alexis Korner, Paul McCartney, Jon & Vangelis, Vangelis and the field of jazz, while Dennis Elliot 1976 with former members of Spooky Tooth and King Crimson with great success formed the U.S. group Foreigner.