Dai Shell/guitars
Ralph Evans/guitars/vocals
Terry Bennett/vocals
Ricky John Holt/bass/vocals
Steve Finn/bass/vocals
Rob Reynolds/drums
Rob Congo Jones/drums
Chris Sharley/drums
Peter Stroud/drums
Ray Jones/bass/vocals
Marco James/keys/mandolin/violin
Gary Davies/drums
Richie Galloni/vocals
Sassafras were first formed in 1970 as a three-piece band with guitarist Ralph Evans, bassist Ricky John Holt and drummer Rob Reynolds. Guitarist David (Dai) Shell, who was working in a residency in Titos nightclub in Cardiff was the first musician they drafted in to enlarge the band.
Ralph "We all thought that Dai was a wonderful guitarist so we asked him to join us...."
Dai "So it wasn’t my looks then?"
Ralph "It was probably because you had a mini-van at the time and we wanted to use it.
Sassafras found themselves an agency in Hereford and the band were finally on the road. In 1971 Dai Shell set up Ddraig (Dragon) Studios in Severn Road, Cardiff with the help of musician Peter (Jake) Jacobs and Carl Leighton-Pope. Steve (Pudding) Jones joined them at Ddraig as did John Kelly who later went on to produce Kate Bush, Chris Rea and Paul McCartney to name a few.
Dai "Draig means ’dragon’ in Welsh, but we spelt it with two ’d’s because we were a bit thick! That was when Jake came in and part financed the studios. Well, he didn’t really part finance it - he stole most of the bricks and some matresses for the walls, so he was in."
Feeling the need to expand once again, vocalist Terry Bennett from Nottingham was invited down to Ddraig to record some songs, instead he found himself being auditioned, his distinctive voice was exactly what Sassafras were looking for.
Sassafras Today
2003 Terry Bennett left Sassafras to pursue a new life in Spain, not wishing to give up performing Sassafras started auditioning for new vocalists , not an easy task for a band that had been together for so long with an outstanding frontman, Terry Bennett......
nevertheless auditions were held, along came Richie Galloni an experienced singersongwriter, mainly known as James Hogg’s frontman, he was a friend of Ray Jones , and had worked with Ray in Quest a progressive rock band from the seventies, after auditioning Richie was offered the job in Sassafras and took it, he had been a fan of the band for many years, and was thrilled at the prospect of singing with the boy’s , Richie has worked with many bands including, Killing Time,Red Sharks,The Hailers along with Mike Japp and Robert Mill’s, and Victoria Cross a southern Californian band, and Expecting Company
shamae ...say...where do i get me one of them natty sassafras plecctrums?? i do so want one... ty for the tunes..im a frequent visitor.. all the bresticles BenDeco
Just wanted to thank you for dropping by for a cold beer with us and staying for the music. We really appreciate your nice comments. We’re still getting unpacked here and with our new album coming out soon, we've been pretty busy. Please stay in touch and drop by any time. If any of your friends are into hard rock like Deep Purple and classic Whitesnake, please send them over. There will always be plenty of room for new friends at our home. The Cotton Soeterboek Band
Hi Guys,thank you for your virtual friendship here on myspace.Its my pleasure to meet you on there.Sounds Great.Keep up the great work. Cheers from BELGIUM EDOUARD GABRIEL
hey thanks for the add ..i remember bouncing about as a kid to one of ur tapes..dnt ask me which one,i have smoked copius ammountsof hashish since then.. long may you rawwwk.. ben frm BenDecos blues jam band.
Thanks for the add guys, after all us welsh bands got to stick 2gether... lol Great band dudes, seen you play at "Titch's" Benefit gig in the "Coal Exchange", best band of the night for me. Keep rocking dudes Cheers Mick
Hi Richie, Thanks for your replies. We are all looking forward to seeing Sassafras at The Roadhouse in the very near future!! Take care & hope you have a great week too. Sal x
As usual guys you wowed the crowds at both The Point and Roadhouse over the last week. Great to meet Phil and his missus in Cardiff and Dawn and the crew in Brum on Friday.Seriously looking forward to the forthcoming gigs.Great organisation of both dates,many thanks to Ellie.....the story of Sass continues to the delight of us all.
Hello! Thank you so much for your reply Richie & for adding me to the top friends list - I'm highly honoured!! I'll have look at the website & order a CD, cheers for the lyrics too. I look forward to seeing you again. Take care, Sal x
You were really great on saturday, even though i was sulky at my loss of voice, you and the cars cheered us up with the great music, see you in June! Chrissyx
Fuckin' Brilliant gig @ The Point last night and it was night to talk to you all and finally meet John Buxton. I've got my tickets for Pontadawe but hopefully I'll see you before then.
7.20am Thursday 21st Feb, I am in work listening to Planet Rock Radio. DJ Alice Cooper in playing The Beatles' I Am The Walrus, now I'm really looking forward to Saturday at The Point.........
Only 3 days to go to the gig at the Point. I hope I'll be able to see you that night, I'll be out at 9am watching Wales playing darts in Merthyr. Needless to say I'll probably have a pint or ten ha ha. See you there...........
Hello and thank you for adding me and for the kind words, the feedback is much appreciated. You've got some really great foot tapping sounds there on your page, thoroughly enjoyed listening to them. Wishing you all the best Regards Mike Holoway
