Family (Band)

Family (german for " family " ) was an experimental and difficult to categorize British rock band around the singer Roger Chapman. With their unusual mix of wild stage presence and musical subtlety, the band earned a loyal following indeed, but never made ​​the big breakthrough, for which certainly also contributed to the excessive " rock'n'roll lifestyle " of the musicians.

History

In 1962 John "Charlie" Whitney (guitar) in Leicester along with Jim King (vocals, saxophone, harmonica ), Harry Overnall (drums) and Tim Kirchin ( bass), the rock and roll band The Farinas, the 1964 Single You'd Better Stop / I Like It Like That recorded. 1965 replaced Ric Grech (bass, violin) Kirchin, 1966, Roger Chapman as a singer to do so.

The band was called now to the wild sixties and toured England. 1967 gave them producer Kim Fowley the name of The Family, as they appeared as a mafia -gear on stage. However, she soon changed her outfit ( jeans instead of suits), and also their musical style began under the influence of American West Coast bands like the Byrds and the Doors to change. Following the release of the first single Scene Thru The Eye Of A Lens ( on the musicians of the band Traffic participated ) in October 1967 to replace Rob Townsend Overnall as a drummer.

1968 Family played in London as the opening act for Tim Hardin and toured in England with Jethro Tull and Ten Years After. This was published in July of that year and produced by Dave Mason traffic first album, Music in a Doll 's House, was a very psychedelic affair and earned much acclaim by critics. A more accessible second album, Family Entertainment, presented in February 1969 for the first time one of the band in the future, virtually every new release completed change of style and reached number 6 in the UK album charts. The piece contained therein Answer The Weaver's, which was never released as a single, but later was merely part of an EP, is considered as the most famous song of the group. In addition to Chapman also contributed King ( Observations from a Hill ) and Grech ( Second Generation Woman) lead vocals on. The album cover was influenced by the Doors album Strange Days.

In April 1969 Ric Grech left the band during their first U.S. tour in order to Blind Faith to join. He was replaced by former New Animals member John Weider (bass, violin). On this tour, Family joined together with The Nice and Ten Years After at the Fillmore East. However, the success was in America. In July 1969 Family playing with King Crimson at the Rolling Stones concert in London's Hyde Park. End of year Jim King for unreliability by John " Poli " Palmer (keyboards, flute, vibraphone) has been replaced, making the band's sound changed again. On the Single No Mule 's Fool October were heard by overdubbing both musicians.

The published in January 1970 third album A Song For Me reached number 4 in the charts. The work was generally noted a certain orientation, but with the nine-minute title track, which passes most likely as a mixture of Rock and Soul, the band was able to convince again. In August 1970 Family was the second time at the Isle of Wight Festival with it and is represented in the accompanying film documentary Message to Love with a performance by Good News Bad News. The longer piece was also part of the album, released in November Anyway, that was one half each of live and studio material.

1971 John Weider left the band and was replaced by John Wetton (bass, vocals) of the band Mogul Thrash. In July Family had with In My Own Time / Seasons of the largest single success ( 4). On the next album in October Fearless Wetton was partially heard as the lead singer. The next album Bandstand came out in September 1972 and was the " massenkompatibelste " Product of the band since Family Entertainment. Roger Chapman is now referred to as his favorite plays and the two single releases Burlesque and My Friend The Sun at his solo concerts.

As a replacement for Wetton, who had left the band before the publication of the plate to play with King Crimson, was brought into the band Jim Cregan ( bass). In 1972, Family with Elton John tour the U.S., however, was disappointing. Tony Ashton came for Poli Palmer in the band. Ashton and Cregan then worked at the seventh and last album of the band, It's Only A Movie, with. In October 1973, the Family was a farewell concert in Leicester and broke up after that. The main songwriter Whitney and Chapman subsequently founded the Streetwalkers, before Chapman from the late 1970s carried on solo. Ric Grech died in 1990, Tony Ashton in 2001, Jim King, 2012.

The 40th anniversary of the band resolution committing Family on 1 and 2 February 2013 London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire with two reunion concerts in the occupation of Roger Chapman, Rob Townsend, Poli Palmer and Jim Cregan plus guest musicians. The setlist consisted of Top of the Hill, Drowned in Wine, Holding the Compass, Part of the Load, Ready to Go, Crinkly Grin, Burning Bridges, No Mule 's Fool, Sat'd'y Barfly, Between Blue and Me, Hung Up down, Burlesque, In My Own Time and additions Answer The Weaver's, My Friend the Sun and Sweet Desiree.

For August 16 Family are announced next Asia and caravan as the main attraction for the festival " Rockin 'the Park 2013' in Nottingham Clumber Park. For the current occupation of Asia overheard Ex -Family bassist John Wetton.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Music In A Doll 's House (1968 )
  • Family Entertainment (1969 )
  • A Song For Me ( 1970)
  • Anyway (1970 )
  • Fearless (1971 )
  • Bandstand (1972 )
  • It's Only A Movie (1973 )

Live / Live in Studio

  • Peel Sessions (1988 )
  • BBC Radio One Live In Concert (1991, recorded 1973)
  • Family Live (2003)
  • BBC Volume 1: 1968-1969 (2004)
  • BBC Volume 2: 1971-1973 (2004)
  • BBC Volume 3: 1970 ( 2009)

Compilations

  • Old Songs New Songs ( 1971 Remixes )
  • Best Of Family (1974 )
  • Rise - Best Of Family (1981 )
  • From Past Archives ( 1981)
  • The Family (1990 )
  • A's & B's (1992 )
  • Best Of Family (1993 )
  • A Family Selection - The Best of Family (2000, 2 CD)
  • Best of Family & Friends (2002, CD DVD)
  • The Very Best of Roger Chapman and Family (2004, 2 CD)
  • In Their Own Time (2007, 2 CD)
  • Strange Band - The Best Of Family (2010, 2 CD)
  • Once Upon a Time (2013, limited edition of 2000 copies 14 - CD Box Set)

→ Main article: Family / Discography

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