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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBE-BOP DELUXERock group formed '72 by Bill Nelson (b Wakefield, Yorkshire), who had previously made limited edition LPs A To Austr and Astral Navigations with local group Gentle Revolution, Northern Dream '71 later reissued on Butt. Original Be-Bop lineup incl. Nelson, guitar and vocals; Nick Chatterton-Dew, drums; Robert Bryan, bass; Ian Parkin, guitar; Richard Brown, keyboards. All except Brown on Axe Victim '74, after patronage of disc jockey John Peel helped secure EMI contract. After touring with Cockney Rebel Nelson revamped band with ex-Rebels Paul Avron Jeffries (bass) and Milton Reame-James (keyboards) plus ex Hackensack drummer Simon Fox; but more stable three-piece lineup of Nelson, Fox, New Zealand Maori Charlie Tumahai on bass made LP Futurama '75. Music a pastiche of David Bowie's futuristic rock and guitar-led heavy metal ended up sounding like 10cc's vapid pop. UK no. 23 hit 'Ships In The Night' from LP Sunburst Finish '76 was pleasant enough, but Nelson lacked a distinctive vocal ability. After three further LPs the project was laid to rest after failure to find hoped-for US success (Live! In The Air Age was their best showing in the USA at no. 65 '77, later on CD on One Way; best-of Raiding The Divine Archives on Capitol). Hot Valves EP UK no. 36 '76 was Be-Bop's last success at home, where the energy of punk soon swamped Nelson's comparatively half-baked ideas. Returned with Devo-esque Red Noise '79, retaining keyboardist Andrew Clark (joined Be-Bop after Futurama), added Ian Nelson, sax; Rick Ford, bass; Steve Peer, drums; disbanded after Sound On Sound '79. Nelson continues to record under own name, notably Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam '81, top ten LP in UK; CDs later in USA incl. Vistamix on Epic, Blue Moons And Laughing Guitars on Venture/Caroline, Practically Wired and After The Satellite Sings on Gyroscope. He could be compared to Todd Rundgren in having fair-sized cult following without producing work of consistent quality. Prod. credits incl. A Flock of Seagulls. Two-CD Air Age Anthology '97 on EMI compiled Be-Bops. |