Alan Bown/trumpet - John Anthony Helliwell/sax/clarinet/recorder -
Jeff Bannister/keyboards/vocals - Stan Haldane/bass/vocals - Tony Catchpole/guitar/vocals - Vic Sweeney/drums/vocals - Jess Roden/lead vocals
Influences
‘I went to the Marquee Club 3 or 4 times a week in the 60’s and there were a handful of bands that were omnipresent. The Alan Bown Set was one of them. There was something about them that just pulled you in. They had great arrangements with great musicians playing them. They had the Soul/R&B thing down. They had a great vocalist in Jess Roden and later Robert Palmer. I remember rushing out to buy their album, ‘Technicolour Dream’ on the day it came out. In those days you were spoilt for choice when it came to exciting club bands. The Action, The Syn, Mark Leeman 5, so so many. I always wondered why the Alan Bown Set never made more of a dent. They were exciting to watch and wonderful to listen to. You should have been there.’
PHIL COLLINS
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >‘Bluesology, the band I played in, was on the same circuit as The Alan Bown Set, and we came across them very often. They were a much better band than we were and set the standard that we aspired to. I remember them with affection and admiration. They deserve to be better known.’ ELTON JOHN
Sounds Like
The band had a unique sound.
See the video of The Alan Bown Set on Top of the Pops 1968 on this site or check out You Tube for further info.
The Alan Bown Set formed in mid 1965. The 7-piece band's live stage performances became legendary on the club circuit in the UK and Europe. With a high profile in the press and appearances on TV shows such as Ready Steady Go and Top of the Pops, the band promoted a series of singles and albums recorded on major labels. Much revered vocalist Jess Roden sang on the band's most memorable singles, these being 'Headline News', 'Toyland' and 'We Can Help You'. In July 1969, Jess Roden left the band and was replaced by Robert Palmer. The band, now called The Alan Bown! recorded a new album with Robert and made an appearance on BBC TV's Disco 2, a forerunner of The Old Grey Whistle Test. Robert left the band in September 1970 and was replaced by Gordon Neville. Other personnel changes then followed and the band continued until its demise in 1972.
I remember the many times you guys played The Place in Hanley - you were a club favourite for a long time. I also remember seeing you all at The George in Burslem one time, after Jess had left. Not sure if it was Robert or Gordon.
Hi! Danke fürs "Freund" sein. Mit lieben Grüssen vom Kopf bis zu den Füßen :-) Wer Songs sucht, sollte mal in unseren Player hören.( nur eine kleine Auswahl) Wer verlagsfreie Songs hat, kann sie gerne anbieten. -- Hi! Thanks for beeing friends here at myspace! You have to take a listen to my Songoffers. You are also welcome to send me your publishing free tracks which I try to find German bands/solo artists for! :-) Ralf Pisch - Edition Geli & Edition G. Point (EMI Songs) www. pisch-music. de
