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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 ZCLIMAX BLUES BANDBlues band formed in UK '68 as Climax Chicago Blues Band, all from Stafford: Peter Haycock (b 4 April '52), vocals, guitar; Colin Cooper (b 7 Oct. '39), vocals, sax; Derek Holt (b 26 Jan. '49), rhythm guitar, vocals; George Newsome (b 14 Aug. '47), drums; Arthur Wood, keyboards; Richard Jones, bass. Debut Climax Chicago Blues Band '69, then Plays On same year, both on Parlophone. Holt moved to bass as Jones left to attend university; band moved to 'progressive' Harvest label for A Lot Of Bottle '70. Successful US tour '72 (NYC radio broadcast tape issued as FM Live '74), but stuck to college circuit at home. Wood and Newsome left after Tightly Knit '71, replaced by John Cuffley (drums) and (from '75) returned Jones, now on keyboards after stint with Principal Edwards Magic Theatre. LPs incl. Rich Man '72 still on Harvest, Sense Of Direction '74 on Polydor, Stamp Album '75 and Gold Plated '76 on BTM, all these on Sire in USA: latter appropriately-titled LP broke through, with 'Couldn't Get It Right' (USA no. 3 hit, UK top ten). The band's sound had moved away from blues, though the vocal blend (Cooper gruff and bassy, Holt falsetto) remained. Shine On '78 was on WB UK; Real To Reel '79 on WB in both countries; steady roadwork paid off again with ballad 'I Love You' from Flying The Flag '80. Lucky For Some '81 was followed by switch to Virgin for Sample And Hold '83, only Cooper and Haycock left of original lineup; Cooper's departure after 14 LPs led to name change: Peter Haycock's Climax made Total Climax '85. Touring '96 as Climax Blues Band again, still making an occasional CD, their solid experience still a live draw. |