Thunderclap Newman

Thunderclap Newman was a short-lived British band, which was launched by The- Who guitarist Pete Townshend at the turn of 1968/1969.

History

The former Who roadie John "Speedy" Keen wrote their own songs, which wanted to publish Townshend. He hired the jazz pianist Andy ' Thunderclap ' Newman and the 15-year old Jimmy McCulloch on guitar. Keen took over the drums to vocals. Townshend himself played under the pseudonym Bijou Drains the bass. He also served as a producer, took care of the musical arrangements and enabled the production of a first single.

The single Something in the Air was after just three weeks number 1 in the UK charts. The success came as a complete surprise to the band. Live performances were not originally planned. Given the large demand sent Townshend, the trio reinforced by two guest musicians, Jim Pitman Avery on bass and McCulloch's elder brother Jack on drums, on tour.

Since the musicians could start basically nothing to each other, the tour was a disaster and led to the dissolution of the band. All that remained was the album Hollywood Dream, released in 1969.

John Keen later tried without much success as a solo artist and as a producer; also he played with Eddie Clarke and Phil Taylor (both from Motörhead ) and Billy Wrath ( by Johnny Thunders ' Heartbreakers ) as The muggers. Andy Newman also published in 1971 a solo album, played on the numerous rather unusual instruments.

Jimmy McCulloch finally played briefly with Stone the Crows, before he went to Paul McCartney's Wings 1974. He remained there until 1978, then moved to the Small Faces and 1979 had just the band The Dukes co-founded when he died in London on 27 September 1979. In March 2002, Speedy Keen died at the age of 57 years. Jim Avery played with Terry Stamp at Third World War and was with his wild and political music to a model for bands like The Clash.

Thunderclap Newman's number -one hit Something in the Air was especially popular in the GDR, because he belonged Strawberry Statement soundtrack of the feature film. He was one of the few American films about the student uprisings 68/69 in the U.S., which was also shown in East German cinema.

After several short-term re- incarnations ( including as Thunderclap Neumann ) presented Andy Newman in 2010 a new band together, with whom he toured and released an album (Beyond Hollywood), which included seven live and three studio recordings. In addition to Andy Newman (piano, wind instruments, vocals) played Nick Johnson ( guitar, vocals), Tony Stubbings (bass ), Mark Brzezicki (drums, vocals) and Josh Townshend, Pete Townshend's nephew, (guitar, vocals).

Discography

Singles

  • Something in the Air / Wilhelmina, 1969 ( U.S. # 37, UK # 1, D # 13 )
  • Accidents / I See It All, 1970
  • The Reason / Stormy Petrel, 1970
  • Wild Country / Hollywood, 1970

Albums

  • Hollywood Dream, 1969
  • Beyond Hollywood! , 2010

Solo albums

  • Andy Newman: Rainbow ( 1971)
  • Speedy Keen: Previous convictions (1971 )
  • Speedy Keen: Y'know wot I mean? (1975)
  • Speedy Keen as a member of the muggers: The Muggers Tapes ( 1978) ( released as a bonus CD to the CD The Best of Motorhead: All the Aces )
Rock music Bass guitar Electric guitar Electronic keyboard The Strawberry Statement (film)
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