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| Paris, Sept 1972 |
Brian Johnston
Born 3 March 1945, Bathgate, Scotland
Bands:
The Golden Crusaders (1960 - 1966)
The Senate (early 1966 - Aug 1967)
The Sovereigns/House Of Orange (Aug 1967 - early March 1969)
Simon K & The Meantimers (Spring 1969 - Autumn 1969)
Gulf Stream (Session) (Autumn 1969)
Joyce Bond Review (Autumn 1969 - Spring 1970)
White Plains (Spring 1970 - Autumn 1970)
Tommy Hunt Band (Autumn 1970 - early 1971)
Accrington Stanley (early 1971 - late 1971)
Heaven (late 1971 - Aug 1972)
Nino Ferrer & Leggs (mid-late 1972, 1977, 1979, 1995)
Heavy Metal Kids (Autumn 1972)
The Foundations (1973)
Spamm Band (mid-late 1975)
Murray Head (1975 - Summer 1976)
Streetwalkers (Sept 1976 - mid 1977)
Phil May & The Fallen Angels (July 1977, Sept 1978)
Whitesnake (Feb 1978 - 29 March 1978)
Electric Banana (aka The Pretty Things) - (1978)
Roger Chapman & The Shortlist (May 1984 - Sept 1985)
The Golden Crusaders (1960 to 1966)
The Golden Crusaders (originally called "The Blackjacks") were formed in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland in 1960. They soon changed their name to The Crusaders, but then added "Golden" to their name to avoid being confused with another band from Edinburgh. Brian's brother, Bobby Johnston, played alongside him as the band's bassist. In 1964 they were signed to Columbia Records by producer Norrie Paramor. They released three singles between 1964-1965. The band were a mainstay at the Kinema Ballroom in Dunfermline, playing at least 67 gigs there between 1965-1966. The band went their separate ways in early 1966.
Members:
Brian Sheridan - vocals
Dennis Murphy - vocals
Billy Colquhoun (aka Billy Calhoun) - lead guitar, keyboards, arranger
Frank Connor (ex-The Falcons) - 2nd lead guitar
Bobby Johnston - bass
Brian Johnston - rhythm guitar
Jack Taylor - tenor sax
John "Ching" Lee - drums
Andy Doolan - trombone, songwriter
Billy Ritchie - keyboards
Bertie McRoberts - bass
Singles (UK):
"I'm In Love With You" (Andy Doolan) b/w "Always On My Mind" (Andy Doolan), Columbia, March 1964
"Hey Good Lookin'" (Hank Williams) b/w "Come On, Come On" (Newman, Mandell), Columbia, 11 Sep 1964
"I Don't Care" (Mark Dayton) b/w "That Broken Heart Is Mine" (Newman, Mandell), Columbia, 19 Feb 1965*
* The A-side "I Don't Care" was written by Mark Dayton (aka Jim Petrie), who sang with the Dundee beat group Mark Dayton And The Honours and also briefly fronted The Mystery Men. Mark also wrote the Dean Ford And The Gaylords' B-side "I Won't".
Thanks to Billy Calhoun, Lee Sheridan and Tony Vincent for providing info.
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| L to R: Jack Taylor, Brian Sheridan, Dennis Murphy, Ching Lee, Brian Johnston, Bobby Johnston and Billy Colquhoun Photo courtesy of The Golden Crusaders' FB Page |
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| L to R: Brian Johnston, Billy Colquhoun and Jack Taylor Photo courtesy of The Golden Crusaders' FB Page |
The Senate were a Glaswegian R&B group who started as a backing band for Sol Byron (aka Billy Lochart). Sol Byron and The Senate were the regular house band on the Scottish pop music show Stramash!, which aired on the BBC in 1965. The Senate's last show backing Sol Byron was at the California Ballroom on 20 Aug 1966. They soon joined Garnet Mimms as his backing band and recorded a live session at the University of Sussex, which was released on LP in 1967. Garnet and the group then embarked on a 1967 European tour. The group also played gigs backing singer Ben E. King in 1966/1967. In August of 1967, Brian left the group to join Pip Williams' band, The Sovereigns, and was replaced by Mike Fraser.
Members (January 1967):
Dave Agnew (aka Mark David) - vocals, guitar
Bill Irving - bass
Bob Mather - sax
Anthony Rutherford (aka Tony Mimms) - trumpet
Alex Ligertwood (aka Alex Jackson) - lead guitar, vocals
Tam Frew - drums
Brian Johnston - organ
Albums:
Garnet Mimms Live, United Artists, May 1967
The Piper Club, RCA Camden, 1967
Sock It To You One More Time, United Artists, 1967
Singles (UK):
The Senate, "I Can't Stop" (Ben E. King) b/w "Ain't As Sweet As You" (Ben E. King), Columbia, 13 Jan 1967
Garnet Mimms, "As Long As I Have You" (Elgin, Ragavoy) b/w "Yesterday" (Lennon, McCartney), United Artists, 21 Jul 1967
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| L to R: Bill Irving, Brian Johnston, Bob Mather, Anthony Rutherford, Alex Ligertwood and Tam Frew Front: Sol Byron Photo from beatsessanta.it |
The Sovereigns were formed in West London in mid-1965 and served as the backing band for American Soul group The Fantastics. In early September 1967, bassist Mick Tomich left the band and was replaced by Ronnie Thomas. At this point the band changed their name to House Of Orange. They continued to tour extensively with The Fantastics and in early March 1969 Brian, along with drummer Keith Franklin, left the band. Bassist Ronnie Thomas would continue on with the House Of Orange until July 1969. He and Brian would meet up again in the Tommy Hunt Band and later the band Heaven.
Members (Aug 1967 - early March 1969):
Roy St. John (aka Roy Thwaites) - vocals
Pip Williams - guitar
Keith Franklin - drums
Mick Tomich - bass (until Sept 1967)
Ronnie Thomas (ex-The Hamilton Movement) -bass (from Sept 1967)
Brian Johnston - keyboards
For a more detailed history of The Fantastics/The Sovereigns see garagehangover.com
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| Show ticket, 1968 |
Simon K & The Meantimers (Spring 1969 to Autumn 1969)
The Meantimers (as they were originally known) were a Mod R&B/Soul band formed in London in late 1964. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Tony (surname unknown), Rick Thomas on lead guitar, bassist Warwick Rose (future Tangerine Peel), organist Bill Pitt, and drummer Michael Armes. Not much is known about the early history of the band. In early 1967, Tony was replaced on lead vocals by Simon K (aka Kennie Simon). The band was then renamed Simon K & The Meantimers and by the summer a full lineup change had taken place. Brent Scott Carter, along with fellow sax players, Alan Wherry and Ken Hendy were part of this new lineup. A few more changes happened over the next few years, with Sid Phillips replacing Ken Hendy on baritone, ex-Quiet Five member Roger McKew taking over lead guitar from George Teo, and the addition of future White Plains members Tex Marsh, Tony Hall, and Brian Johnston. Brian left the group in early Autumn of 1970 and organist Bill Pitt returned to take his place. The band released their only UK single in November of 1969: "Bring Back Your Love (To Me)". The band continued to tour the UK into the new year. In the Spring of 1970, both Tony Hall and Brent Scott Carter left the group to join Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band. By mid-1970, The Meantimers had disbanded. Simon K went on to join The Majors in 1976 and Hot Chocolate in 2010.
Members (Spring 1969 - Autumn 1969):
Simon K (Kennie Simon) - lead vocals (early 1967-1970)
Roger McKew - lead guitar (late 1968 - 1970)
Mick Glyde - bass (June 1967 - May 1969)
Brent Scott Carter - tenor sax (mid 1967 - Spring 1970)
Tony Hall - sax (early Oct 1968 - Spring 1970)
Brian Johnston - organ (Spring 1969 - Autumn 1969)
Tex Marsh - drums (Summer 1968 - Spring 1970)
For a more detailed history of The Meantimers, see garagehangover.com
Thanks to Alan Wherry, Tex Marsh, and Nick Warburton for providing info.
Thanks to Alan Wherry, Tex Marsh, and Nick Warburton for providing info.
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| Simon K & The Meantimers, c. late 1967 L to R: George Teo, Brent Scott Carter, Mick Glyde, Simon K, Alan Wherry, Tony Glyde, and Terry Vandenburgh Photo courtesy of Alan Wherry |
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| Show Flyer, 1969 L to R: Brian Johnston, Tex Marsh, Brent Scott Carter, Roger McKew, and unknown bassist Front: Simon K Photo courtesy of Tex Marsh |
Gulf Stream (Session) (Autumn 1969)
In 1969, Brian Johnston participated in at least one recording session at London's Morgan Studios under the Production of Alan Moorhouse. The single "Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet" was released on Paramount Records in the US in October of 1969. Brian's keyboard playing talents are featured on the single's B-side, "Sophisticated Soul" (an instrumental). It's not known if he also contributed to the single's A-side. Brian would once again team up with fellow session men, Tex Marsh and Martin Sack, as part of Tommy Hunt's backing in the Autumn of 1970.
Members (A-side):
Martin Sack - guitar
Tex Marsh - drums
Members (B-side):
Martin Sack - guitar
Roger McKew - guitar
Alan Jones - bass
Brian Johnston - organ
Tex Marsh - drums
Singles (US):
"Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet" (Nino Rota) b/w "Sophisticated Soul" (Moorhouse, Sack), Paramount, US, Oct 1969
Thanks to Martin Sack for providing info.
Joyce Bond Review (Autumn 1969 to Spring 1970)
Jamaican Soul and Ska singer Joyce Bond emigrated to England as a teenager in the early 1960s. She appeared frequently in clubs and released her first single "It's All Right" on Airborne Records in 1966. Her third UK single "Do The Teasy", released in June of 1967, made it to number 27 on the pop charts. Her version of the Lennon-McCartney penned "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", although selling fairly well, was not able to crack the UK charts. It, however, did reach number one in the West Indies. Brian Johnston joined Joyce's backing band in the Autumn of 1969, replacing keyboardist Tony O'Malley. During his stint in The Joyce Bond Review (sometimes listed as "Revue"), they made frequent live appearances on BBC Radio One. Brian cut an album with the group early in the new year at a 4-track studio in Willesden in NW London. The album, Wind Of Change, was released in 1970 under the name Joyce Bond and The Color Supplement. At some point before the recording, bassist Phil Chen was replaced by Pete Cole, who had also toured with The Fantastics along with Brian. Brian left the Joyce Bond Review just before they went on tour in Guyana that Summer.
Members (Autumn 1969 - Spring 1970):
Joyce Bond - vocals
Arthur Pereira (aka Raffi Pereira) - guitar
Phil Chen - bass
Pete Cole - bass
Brian Johnston - keyboards
Lloyd Smith - sax
Patrick (surname unknown) - sax
Herschel Holder - trumpet
Ronnie la Toro - drums
Singles (UK):
"Wind Of Change" (Keith Foster) b/w "First In Line" (Keith Foster), Up Front, 1970
Albums (UK):
Wind Of Change, Up Front Records, 1970
Thanks to Arthur Pereira, Phil Chen, and Peter Cole for providing info.
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Clockwise from bottom left: Brian Johnston, Pete Cole, Arthur Pereira, Ronnie la Toro, Lloyd Smith, Patrick, and Herschel Holder
Pic from the back cover of Wind Of Change LP |
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| Brian Johnston c. late 1960s Photo courtesy of Peter Cole |
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| Joyce Bond c. late 1960s Photo courtesy of Peter Cole |
White Plains (Spring 1970 to Autumn 1970)
Brian was part of the first touring lineup of White Plains. Besides touring, this lineup also performed at the 1970 NME Poll Winners All-Star Concert on 3 May 1970 and appeared on the 14 May 1970 episode of Top of The Pops. It's not certain when Brian left the band. Presumably it was prior to the 5th of November, when the band reappeared on TOTP sans Brian, with Ricky Wolff on keys. It's possible that Brian did make yet another TV appearance with the band, as they had performed on The Best Of Basil Brush show on 22 Aug 1970.
See Biography PageMembers (Spring 1970 - Autumn 1970):
Pete Nelson - vocals, rhythm guitar, piano (1969-1974, 1978)
Ricky Wolff - vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, flute, sax (1969 - early 1971)
Robin Shaw - bass, vocals (1969 - late 1973)
Robin Box - lead guitar, vocals (1969-1974, 1978)
Brian Johnston - keyboards, vocals (Spring 1970 - Autumn 1970)
Julian Bailey - drums (Spring 1970 - mid-1970)
Roger Hills - drums (1969, mid 1970 - mid 1973)
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| Brian on TOTP with White Plains, 14 May 1970 L to R: Brian Johnston, Ricky Wolff, Robin Box, Pete Nelson, Robin Shaw and Julian Bailey Photo from Popscene |
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| At the Cookaway Offices, Spring 1970 L to R: Robin Shaw, Brian Johnston, Ricky Wolff and Julian Bailey |
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| Jackie Magazine, June 1970 L to R: Robin Box, Julian Bailey, Pete Nelson, Robin Shaw and Brian Johnston |
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| Danish 45 picture sleeve, 1970 Back: Brian Johnston, Roger Hills, Robin Shaw and Ricky Wolff Front: Robin Box and Pete Nelson |
Tommy Hunt Band (Autumn 1970 to early 1971)
Members (Autumn 1970 - early 1971):
Tommy Hunt is an American soul singer who had his start in the '50s Chicagoan R&B group, The Flamingos. In 1960, Tommy started his solo career and was a regular player at New York's Apollo Theater. In the mid '60s, Tommy traveled to Germany, playing US Army bases. Due to the changing musical preferences of post-Beatlemania US, Tommy returned to Germany in 1969 in order to seek out an agent he had previously met there. After getting word that the agent (Australian-born Geoff Patterson) had relocated to England, Tommy moved on to London and soon set up residence there. In 1975, Tommy performed at the Wigan Casino for their 2nd anniversary. He would soon find himself in a successful position within the UK's Northern Soul scene. Throughout the 1970s, various backing band lineups came and went. In Autumn of 1970, local band Bagge was asked to join Tommy as his backing band for a European tour. This band included Brian Johnston's ex-bandmates Ronnie Thomas and Tex Marsh. Brian, along with sax player Norman Leppard (ex-One) and a trumpeter named George, were brought on to supplement the group. After a short residency gig at the Zin Zin Club in Salon-de-Provence, the group returned to the UK. Guitarist Steve Reading then left the group and was replaced by Tex Marsh's former Melody Fair bandmate Martin Sack. The band then returned to the Continent to play gigs in West Berlin and Torino, Italy.
Members (Autumn 1970 - early 1971):
Tommy Hunt - vocals
Steve Reading - guitar
Martin Sack - guitar (replaced Steve)
Ronnie Thomas - bass
Brian Johnston - keyboards
Norman Leppard - sax
George (unknown surname) - trumpet
Tex Marsh - drums
Thanks to Martin Sack and Tex Marsh for providing info.
Accrington Stanley (early 1971 to late 1971)
Accrington Stanley were a short-lived band formed in Accrington, Lancashire in 1970. Brian Johnston joined them on keyboards around March of 1971, after his tour with the Tommy Hunt Band had ended. The group were financed by The Rolling Stones and played the first Glastonbury Fayre on Wednesday, 23rd June 1971. They had gone on in the early morning hours, just after David Bowie's acoustic set. Two days later on the 25th of June, Accrington Stanley played the Reading Festival on a bill with Arthur Brown and Warm Dust, among others. Guitarist Dave Walmsley left the band soon after and was replaced by former Every Which Way guitarist, John Hedley. By early September, John had left the group and was replaced on lead guitar by Roger McKew (Brian's ex-Meantimers bandmate). The new lineup made their debut at the London Lyceum on the 26th of September. The band carried on gigging, but would soon call it a day. They played one of their last shows at London School of Economics' Festival '71 on Wednesday, 3rd November. By December, Accrington Stanley had split up. Drummer Jim Payne went on to join The National Head Band, playing his first gig with them at the Rainbow Theatre on 23rd December. Brian soon joined up with his former bandmates Ronnie Thomas and Norman Leppard in the band Heaven. Accrington Stanley recorded a single called "Days Of Men And Women", but it was never released.
Members (1971):
Rod Hill (ex-The Warriors) - guitar, vocals
Dave "Wammy" Walmsley - lead guitar, vocals (up to mid-year)
John Hedley - lead guitar (from mid-year to September)
Roger McKew - lead guitar (from September)
David Foster (ex-The Warriors) - bass, vocals
Brian Johnston - keyboards, guitar
Jim Payne - drums
Thanks to James Payne and Dave Walmsley for providing info.
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| L to R: Rod Hill, Jim Payne, Brian Johnston, David Foster and Dave Walmsley Photo courtesy of James Payne |
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| Accrington Stanley on stage at Glastonbury Fayre, June 1971 [click to enlarge] Photo courtesy of James Payne |
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| Accrington Stanley, 1971 Photo courtesy of Peter Cole |
Heaven (late 1971 to August 1972)
Heaven were a brass rock band formed in Portsmouth in September 1968 by former members of The Universal Trash Band. A few lineup changes occurred over the next few years and by late 1971, all members had left the band save for vocalist Terry Scott. Terry was soon joined by guitarist Mickey Finn (aka Mickey Waller), drummer Pete Phipps (future Glitter Band), keyboardist Brian Johnston, Brian's old House Of Orange bandmate, Ronnie Thomas, on bass and sax player Norman Leppard. Pete Phipps left the band just before their French tour started in May 1972 and was replaced by ex-Long John Baldry drummer, Keith Boyce. This tour also included Bob Weston (future Fleetwood Mac) on guitar, but he left a couple of months in. During their 5 month stay in France, this lineup recorded as Nino Ferrer's backing band, Leggs. Vocalist Terry Scott soon signed a solo deal with CBS France and the rest of the band returned to London and morphed into Heavy Metal Kids.
Members (1972):
Terry Scott (ex-Paper) - vocals
Ronnie Thomas - bass
Pete Phipps - drums (up to May 1972)
Keith Boyce - drums (from May 1972)
Mickey Finn (Waller) (ex-The Mickey Finn) - guitar
Norman Leppard - sax
Brian Johnston - keyboards
Singles (UK):
"Hangin' On" (Michael Waller) b/w "Funny Lines" (Heaven), CBS, 25 Feb 1972
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| Brian with Heaven on German TV show "Beat Club", 1972 |
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| German 45 picture sleeve, released Feb 1972 L to R: Brian Johnston, Ronnie Thomas, Mickey Finn, Terry Scott, Pete Phipps and Norman Leppard |
Nino Ferrer was a popular French singer who first came into prominence during the mid-'60s with the release of the hit single "Mirza". By 1972 Nino had over a dozen singles and four albums to his credit. During the band Heaven's residency in Saint-Tropez, France in 1972, an impressed Nino invited the band to record an album with him and serve as his backing band (Leggs). In 1973 the album Nino Ferrer & Leggs was released, which includes a song penned by Brian entitled "Na Na Song". They would record again with Nino in 1977 and 1979. In 1995, Brian, Ronnie and Keith returned to France once again to play alongside Nino. The last known video clip of Brian performing live appears to be on the French TV show Taratata in 1995 with Nino Ferrer, performing "La Danse De La Pluie".
Members (1972):
Nino Ferrer - vocals
Ronnie Thomas - bass
Keith Boyce - drums
Mickey Finn (Waller) - guitar
Brian Johnston - piano
Giorgio Giombolini - organ
Albums:
Nino Ferrer & Leggs, Riviera, 1972
Veritables Varietes Verdatres, CBS, 1977* (*piano on the track "Valentin" only)
Blanat, Disques La Taillade, 1979
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| Leggs, Sept 1972 Photo from Nino Ferrer: vol. 2 CD booklet, 1991 |
Heavy Metal Kids, who take their name from a William Burroughs novel, are a pre-punk glam rock band formed in London in the Autumn of 1972. After their residency in France, the boys from Heaven returned to London (sans Terry Scott) and formed a new band with Biggles singer, Gary Holt. Brian performed with the band for their first several shows, but soon left to join another band**. Guitarist Cosmo Verrico joined soon after and later Danny Peyronel joined on keys. Brian did not record with the band. The band went on hiatus after the death of Gary Holton in 1985. They reformed in 2002 and still play shows today.
Members (Autumn 1972):
Gary Holton - vocals
Keith Boyce - drums
Ronnie Thomas - bass
Mickey Finn (Waller) - guitar
Brian Johnston - keyboards
** According to Keith Boyce on the Gary Holton Tribute Site, Brian left Heavy Metal Kids because he had found a better paying gig. What gig he's referring to is not known, although it's most likely he was referring to The Foundations, who Brian toured with for several months in 1973.
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| Heavy Metal Kids, 1974 L to R: Mickey Waller, Keith Boyce, Gary Holton, Danny Peyronel and Ronnie Thomas |
The Foundations were a British Soul group formed in 1967. They're best known for their hits "Baby Now That I've Found You" (a UK #1, penned by Tony Macaulay and John MacLeod), "Build Me Up Buttercup" (a UK #2, penned by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay), and "In The Bad, Bad Old Days (Before You Loved Me)" (another Macaulay/MacLeod Top 10 hit). Singer Clem Curtis left the group to pursue a solo career in early 1968, just after the recording of their EP It's All Right. He was then replaced by vocalist Colin Young. After the exit of Producer/Songwriter Tony Macaulay in 1969, the group released several self-penned singles on the Pye Label, but no more big chart hits followed. The group split up in late 1970, with a final single "Stoney Ground" later released on MCA Records on 19 November 1971. Clem Curtis soon revived The Foundations and set off on tour. Not long after, vocalist Colin Young also began touring as The Foundations, but after a legal battle the rights to the name were given to Clem. Curtis Young's group then toured under the name The New Foundations. Brian Johnston toured as part of The Foundations for nine months in 1973, along with his former Accrington Stanley bandmate Jim Payne. The full membership of the group for those months in 1973 is not known. As with many touring soul groups of that era, The Foundations featured an ever-changing lineup of touring musicians.
Members (1973):
Clem Curtis - vocals
Eric Allandale - trombone
Brian Johnston - keyboards
Jim Payne - drums
Thanks to James Payne for providing info.
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| Italian 45 picture sleeve, 1967 Pic from 45cat.com |
The Spamm Band (mid to late 1975)
The Spamm Band were a "groove rock" band put together by Producer Pete Cole (Brian's former Joyce Bond Review bandmate) and French singer Nino Ferrer, who served as executive producer. Brian Johnston had previously worked with Nino as part of his backing band, Leggs. Brian's old Heaven bandmate, Terry Scott, supplied the vocals for the band. Their only album was recorded at Spider Studios in France, September 1975. Three songs penned by Brian appear on the album: "Susie", Rock Bottom", and "Mississippi".
Members:
Terry Scott - vocals
Bob McGuinness - guitar
Graham Broad - drums
John Edwards (aka "Rhino", future Status Quo bassist) - bass
Jeff Peach - sax/flute
Brian Johnston - piano
Albums (France):
The Spamm Band, CBS, 1976
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| September, 1975 Photo from back cover of LP |
Murray Head is an English solo artist and actor, most well-known for his 1984 hit single "One Night In Bangkok". In 1975, Brian Johnston played keyboards on the track "You're So Tasty" for Murray Head's second album Say It Ain't So, recorded at Morgan Studios in London. Brian's old Heaven bandmate, Mickey Finn (Waller), also plays guitar on this album. Brian then toured with Murray Head when they served as Elton John's opening band on the UK leg of his "Louder Than Concorde, But Not Quite As Pretty" Tour in the Spring of 1976.
Albums (UK):
Say It Ain't So, A&M, 1975* (*keyboards on "You're So Tasty" only)
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| LP cover, 1975 |
The Streetwalkers were formed in late 1973 by ex-Family band members Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney. Originally called the Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers (from 1973-1974), they were renamed simply Streetwalkers for their 1975 release Downtown Flyers. In July 1976, drummer Nicko McBrain and bassist Jon Plotel were fired from the band. By October 1976, the band had regrouped with bassist Mickey Feat, drummer David Dowle and keyboardist Brian Johnston filling out the new lineup. The notes in their Vicious But Fair 1977 Tour Program claim "They auditioned 100 bassists before finding Mickey Feat and 50 keyboard players before Brian Johnston appeared." Their final live appearance was on Rockpalast on German TV on 19 April 1977. By year's end, the band had dissolved.
Members (Sept 1976 to 1977):
Roger Chapman (ex-Family) - vocals
Bobby Tench (ex-Jeff Beck Group) - lead guitar, vocals
Charlie Whitney (ex-Family) - guitar
Mickey Feat (ex-Rare Bird) - bass, vocals
David Dowle (ex-Brian Auger Band) - drums
Brian Johnston - keyboards, vocals
Albums:
Vicious But Fair, Vertigo, 1977
Live, Vertigo, 1977
Rip It Up At The Rainbow, Mystic, 2013 (Recorded Live 25 Feb 1977)
Rip It Up At The DeMontfort, Mystic, 2013 (Recorded Live 26 Feb 1977)
Streetwalkers Live At Rockpalast, 2013 (Recorded Live 19 April 1977)
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| Promo, 1977 L to R: Roger Chapman, Brian Johnston, Charlie Whitney, Bobby Tench, David Dowle and Mickey Feat |
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| Smiling shot L to R: David Dowle, Brian Johnston, Charlie Whitney, Bobby Tench and Roger Chapman Photo from Streetwalkers: I'm Walking Box Set |
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| Pic from the 1977 Vicious But Fair Tour Program L to R: Charlie Whitney, Brian Johnston and David Dowle |
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| Brian with Streetwalkers on Rockpalast show, 19 April 1977 |
The Fallen Angels were formed in June 1976 by The Pretty Things vocalist, Phil May and Heaven guitarist Mickey Waller. Brian Johnston joined the band in July of 1977 and they recorded several album tracks during a five week period in Geneva, Switzerland. These tracks remained unfinished and the project was abandoned until a regrouping took place in September of 1978. At some point John Povey (ex-Pretty Things), John Porter (ex-Uncle Dog) and Fran Byrne (ex-Bees Make Honey) were involved in these recording sessions. The album was released in 1978 in the Netherlands only. Brian also recorded with Electric Banana (a pseudonym for The Pretty Things) that same year, which involved several members of The Fallen Angels. Brian was misnamed in the 1978 album credits as "Jack Johnston". A few years later, Brian's credits on the Roger Chapman LP, The Shadow Knows, appears as "Brian (don't call me Jock) Johnston". Not clear if that was another unfortunate misspelling or if it was intentional.
Members (July 1977):
Phil May - vocals
Mickey Finn (Waller) - guitar
Bill Lovelady - guitar
Wally Waller - bass
Chico Greenwood - drums
Brian Johnston - keyboards
Members (September 1978):
Phil May - vocals
Wally Waller - bass
Chico Greenwood - drums
Brian Johnston - keyboards
Ed Dean - guitar
Session Members (1977 or 1978):
John Povey - backing vocals
Fran Byrne - drums
John Porter - slide guitar
Albums (Netherlands):
Albums (Netherlands):
Phil May & The Fallen Angels, Philips, 1978
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| LP Cover, 1985 |
After the release of David Coverdale's "Northwinds" LP, David Coverdale and Whitesnake ventured out on the hastily put-together "Back to the Roots Tour" in February 1978. The first gig took place on 23 Feb 1978 at the Sky Bird Club in Nottingham with Brian Johnston on keyboards, along with his ex-Streetwalkers bandmate, drummer David Dowle. Brian's last show with the band was on 29 March 1978 at the Castaways Club in Plymouth. With respect to the band, Brian has often been described as "ill-fitting". According to guitarist Bernie Marsden in the book "Where's My Guitar?", there was an eventful ride home after the Plymouth gig. Brian, in a brandy-fueled haze, managed to get under David's skin enough to get kicked out of the van a mile out from his house. According to Marsden, a remark about Mrs. Coverdale's "great tits" was the straw that broke the camel's back. Ex-Procol Harum keyboardist, Pete Solley, was quickly recruited to take over on keyboards. Needless to say, Brian did not record with the band.
Members (Feb-March 1978):
David Coverdale - vocals
Bernie Marsden - guitar
Micky Moody - guitar
Neil Murray - bass
David Dowle - drums
Brian Johnston - keyboards
Thanks to Steve from Leicester for providing info.
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| Early Whitesnake gig, 1978 L to R: Brian Johnston, David Coverdale Photo from deep-purple.net |
Electric Banana, formed in 1967, was the pseudonym for the band The Pretty Things. The band's label, Music De Wolfe, were involved in film soundtracking and several Electric Banana tracks ended up in some horror and soft-core porn films. The band released five albums between 1967 and 1978. After several lineup changes, Brian Johnston joined them in 1978 and recorded their last album, The Return Of The Electric Banana. This lineup was essentially the same as The Fallen Angels (minus Wally Waller).
Members (1978):
Phil May - vocals
Mickey Finn (Waller) - guitar
Bill Lovelady - guitar
Chico Greenwood - drums
Brian Johnston - keyboards
Albums (UK):
The Return Of The Electric Banana, Music De Wolfe, 1978
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| LP cover, 1978 |
In 1979, a few years after the dissolution of the Streetwalkers, Roger Chapman (aka Chappo) began his solo career. He mainly toured Europe with his backing band, The Shortlist, of which Brian became a member in the Summer of 1984. Just as the Streetwalkers had been, Roger Chapman and The Shortlist were especially popular in Germany. Roger Chapman had released 30+ studio, live and rarity albums between 1979 and 2012. Roger still tours today.
Members (May 1984-September 1985):
Roger Chapman - vocals
Geoff Whitehorn - guitar, bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Nick Pentelow - tenor sax
Tony Stevens - bass
Sam Kelly - drums
John Lingwood - drums
Brian Johnston - keyboards, backing vocals
Bobby Tench (1985) - 2nd guitar
Singles (UK):
"How How How" (Chapman) b/w "Hold That Tide Back" (Chapman, Whitehorn), Instant, 1984
"Leader Of Men" (Chapman) b/w "I'm A Good Boy Now" (Chapman), Instant, 1984
"Sitting Up Pretty" (Whitehorn, Chapman) b/w "Big Roll Daddy" (Chapman, Seals), Instant, 1984
"Zipper" (Whitehorn, Chapman) b/w "Woman Of Destiny" (Chapman), RCA, 1986
Albums:
The Shadow Knows, Polydor, 1984
Live In Berlin, RCA, 1985
Zipper, RCA, 1986
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| Live in Germany, 1984 Roger Chapman and Brian Johnston |
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| Brian, 1984 Photo from The Shadow Knows LP |
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| Roger Chapman & The Shortlist, 1984 L to R: Nick Pentelow, Tony Stevens, Sam Kelly, Geoff Whitehorn, Roger Chapman and Brian Johnston Photo from The Shadow Knows LP |
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