Python Lee Jackson

Last updated

Python Lee Jackson
Python lee jackson early 67 email.jpg
Python Lee Jackson, early 1967
Background information
OriginSydney, Australia
Years active
  • 1965 (1965)–1968 (1968)
  • 1968 (1968)–1969 (1969)
  • 1972 (1972)
LabelsYoung Blood International
Past memberssee Members list below

Python Lee Jackson were an Australian rock band active from 1965 to 1968, before a brief sojourn in the United Kingdom from late 1968 to mid-1969. The group had recorded a single, "In a Broken Dream" (October 1970), featuring Rod Stewart as guest vocalist in April 1969. The group reformed in 1972 and the single was re-released in August: it peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 56 on the United States Billboard Hot 100. The group disbanded again later that year. Their early vocalist, Mal McGee (1966–68) died on 17 May 2012.

Contents

Career

1965-1968: Australian period

Python Lee Jackson were formed in December 1965 in Sydney by two men from the United Kingdom – Frank Kennington and Mick Lieber (born 1 March 1944, Peebles, Scotland) – and David Montgomery (born September 1945, Melbourne) on drums (ex-Jeff St John & the Id). Both Lieber, on guitar, and Kennington, on vocals, were former members of the Denvermen, a surf instrumental group in Sydney, from mid-1965 and contributed to that group's single, "I Can Tell" (November). [1]

With Roy James on bass guitar, Python Lee Jackson played the underground circuit. In early 1966, Kennington was deported to the UK, and former the Missing Links singer, Bob Brady, filled in for several months before Lieber and Montgomery put a new line-up together. In March 1966 keyboard player and singer Dave Bentley (born 1943, Brisbane) left Jeff St John & the Id to join his old bandmate, Montgomery, alongside Lieber, together with former Unit 4 bass player, Lloyd Hardy (a.k.a. "Cadillac" Lloyd Hudson). [2] [3]

In June, the quartet added former Wild Cherries' Melbourne-born singer, Malcolm McGee (1 November 1945 17 May 2012), and opened Rhubarb's club in Sydney's Liverpool Street. McGee described how Python Lee Jackson is "the ultimate name. Group names are becoming more and more ridiculous – PLJ is the name to end all names." [3]

Jackie Lee Lewes of The Australian Women's Weekly opined in November 1966 that "Their music is loud and furious" and cited McGee, who felt their sound was in "the Chicago-style city blues idiom." [3] Lewes also reported that "The members [of the group] say they have created a modern image – not only with their music but also with their up-to-date clothes." [3] The magazine provided a double page spread of the band members modelling their clothing. [3]

In September 1966, Bentley left and was replaced by Bob Welsh on piano. [2] Two months later the band released its first single, "Emergency Ward", backed by a cover version of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?" as its B-side. [2] Some sources cite "Emergency Ward" as a single by local DJ Ward Austin featuring Python Lee Jackson as his backing group. [4] The group's second single was a cover of Major Lance's "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um", backed by "Big City Lights", in December 1966. [2] [5]

Late in 1966 Hardy was replaced by Duncan McGuire, from Doug Parkinson's group the Questions, for three weeks. McGuire appeared on the band's version of Sam and Dave’s "Hold On, I’m Coming", backed by "Your Mother Should Have Warned You", before Hardy (now using the name, Virgil East) returned for the band's first trip to Melbourne in March 1967. Like its predecessor, the new single was a minor hit. While in Melbourne the group performed at the Catcher night club, from 17 to 19 March, with various local bands each night. The group returned for an extended stay from 30 March to 16 April.

In April 1967 Dave MacTaggart from Adelaide band the Black Pearls replaced Virgil East. On 11 June, the group appeared on Opus TV with the Loved Ones and Ray Hoff and the Off Beats. The new line-up released the band's final Australian single, "It's a Wonder", backed by "I Keep Forgetting", in August before Welsh left to be replaced by saxophone player. Bernie McGann.

A few months later Lieber left and worked with Billy Thorpe and Gulliver Smith's band, the Noyes. Former member East joined Jeff St John's next project, Yama. Lieber's replacement was Laurie Arthur from the Strangers. Python Lee Jackson continued to play gigs, appearing at Melbourne clubs, Sebastians, and Berties until the band broke up in January 1968.

McGee then joined vocal trio the Virgil Brothers with Rob Lovett (formerly of the Loved Ones) and Mick Hadley (ex-Purple Hearts). McGee recorded two singles with the Virgil Brothers, including their Australian hit, "Temptation 'Bout to Get Me", but he left the group after they moved to the UK in late 1969 and was replaced by Danny Robinson (ex-the Wild Cherries). McGee later played with McGuire in Rush. MacTaggart reunited with Lieber briefly in Billy Thorpe's band. Montgomery reunited with David Bentley in the David Bentley Trio.

1968-1972: British period

Python Lee Jackson was reformed in the UK in October 1968 by Bentley, Lieber and Montgomery; [2] the line-up was completed by former Levi Smith Clefs' bass player, John Helman (also ex-Jeff St John and the Id). [6] The band played at the Vesuvio club on Tottenham Court Road, and in early 1969 performed at the Arts Lab on Drury Lane for several months, where it was spotted by DJ John Peel. In April 1969 Bentley, Lieber and Montgomery were joined by Jamie Byrne from the Groove, and recorded three tracks in the studio with Rod Stewart as a guest vocalist. Stewart was paid a set of car seat covers for his recording session; he had been brought in to sing three tracks, after Bentley informed his bandmates that he didn't think his own voice was right for the songs.Sue & Sunny were brought in for backing vocals. Peel produced the recording of "In a Broken Dream". Two other tracks, "Doin' Fine" (a version of "Cloud Nine") and "The Blues" remained unreleased until 1970 when Miki Dallon re-produced the track for his Youngblood label and released it, having bought the masters from Peel. The single was not a success on its initial release, but Dallon re-released it in August 1972 to coincide with Stewart's release of "You Wear It Well", his second solo single. With Stewart more popular by then, "In a Broken Dream", rose to number three in the UK Singles Chart, No. 56 in the United States Billboard Hot 100, [7] [8] [9] and No. 74 in Canada. [10]

Following the recording of the songs with Stewart, the group made sporadic live appearances; Time Out magazine advertised one show at the Bottleneck Club in the Railway Tavern, Stratford in East London on 28 June 1969. The band went into hiatus from 1969 to 1972, during which period the band members explored separate projects.

In 1972, David Bentley, Mick Lieber, and David Montgomery made recordings with new members Gary Boyle (guitar) and former member of The Easybeats, Tony Cahill (bass). Those tracks subsequently appeared on the band's only album (also titled In a Broken Dream) alongside the earlier Rod Stewart recordings from 1969. That resulted in the release of the song and the subsequent charting. The song was popular in Europe and appeared on the soundtrack of films and documentaries (including the arthouse movie Breaking the Waves ) and became the subject of many cover versions. Rod Stewart included the song on two anthologies of previously recorded work and, in 1996, English band, Thunder, delivered a high-octane rendering that propelled it into the UK chart for the second time.

1973-present: Post break up

In 2004, a cover of the song appeared on Relations , recorded by British singer Kathryn Williams.

In 2009, Half a Cow released Sweet Consolation, a 24 track anthology of the band's work. Meant to be a definitive collection, it does not contain "In a Broken Dream" as the producers were unable to obtain the required licences needed to include their most famous song. [11] Cahill was replaced on bass by Chris Belshaw shortly before the band dissolved.[ citation needed ]

Following the dissolution of the band, Montgomery went to briefly play drums for the American band King Harvest. He had been due to meet with Brian Jones on the day of Jones's death to discuss a collaboration.

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum details
In a Broken Dream
  • Released: 1972
  • Format: LP
  • Label: GNP Crescendo (GNPS 2066)

Compilation albums

TitleAlbum details
Piano Players Ball
  • Released: 1998
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Success Series (16318CD)
Sweet Consolation 1966-73

Extended plays

TitleEP details
Python Lee Jackson Sings
  • Released: 1967
  • Format: LP
  • Label: CBS (BG 225180)

Singles

List of singles, with Australian chart positions
YearTitlePeak chart
positions
EP/Album
AUS
[12]
1966"Emergency Ward"-
"Um, Um, Um"-Python Lee Jackson Sings
"Your Mother Should Have Warned You"-
1970"In a Broken Dream"84In a Broken Dream
1972"Cloud Nine"-

Members

Timeline

Python Lee Jackson

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice Gibb</span> British musician (1949–2003)

Maurice Ernest Gibb was a British musician and songwriter. He achieved worldwide fame as a member of the pop group Bee Gees. Although his elder brother Barry Gibb and fraternal twin brother Robin Gibb were the group's main lead singers, most of their albums included at least one or two songs featuring Maurice's lead vocals, including "Lay It on Me", "Country Woman" and "On Time". The Bee Gees are one of the most successful pop-rock groups of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mindbenders</span> English band (1963–1968)

The Mindbenders were an English beat group from Manchester. Originally the backing group for Wayne Fontana, they were one of several acts that were successful in the mid-1960s British Invasion of the US charts, achieving major chart hits with "The Game of Love" in 1965 and "A Groovy Kind of Love" in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hollies</span> English pop rock group formed in the early 1960s

The Hollies are an English rock and pop band formed in 1962. One of the leading British groups of the 1960s and into the mid-1970s, they are known for their distinctive three-part vocal harmony style. Singer Allan Clarke and rhythm guitarist/singer Graham Nash founded the band as a Merseybeat-type group in Manchester, although some of the band members came from towns further north, in east Lancashire. Nash left the group in 1968 to co-form Crosby, Stills & Nash, though he has reunited with the Hollies on occasion. As well as Clarke and Nash other members have included lead guitarist Tony Hicks, rhythm guitarist Terry Sylvester, bassists Eric Haydock and Bernie Calvert, and drummers Don Rathbone and Bobby Elliott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Miller Band</span> American rock band

The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1966 in San Francisco, California. The band is led by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals. The group had a string of mid- to late-1970s hit singles that are staples of classic rock, as well as several earlier psychedelic rock albums. Miller left his first band to move to San Francisco and form the Steve Miller Blues Band. Shortly after Harvey Kornspan negotiated the band's contract with Capitol Records in 1967, the band shortened its name to the Steve Miller Band. In February 1968, the band recorded its debut album, Children of the Future. It went on to produce the albums Sailor, Brave New World, Your Saving Grace, Number 5, The Joker, Fly Like an Eagle, Book of Dreams, among others. The band's Greatest Hits 1974–78, released in 1978, sold over 13 million copies. In 2016, Steve Miller was inducted as a solo artist in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Episode Six were an English rock band formed in Harrow, London in 1965. The band did not have commercial success in the UK, releasing nine singles that all failed to chart, but they did find minor success in Beirut at the time. Group members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover left in 1969 to join Deep Purple, while drummer Mick Underwood founded Quatermass and later collaborated with Gillan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the Midnight Hour</span> 1965 single by Wilson Pickett

"In the Midnight Hour" is a song originally performed by Wilson Pickett in 1965 and released on his 1965 album of the same name, also appearing on the 1966 album The Exciting Wilson Pickett. The song was composed by Pickett and Steve Cropper at the historic Lorraine Motel in Memphis, later the site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Pickett's first hit on Atlantic Records, it reached number one on the R&B charts and peaked at number 21 on the pop charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tin Tin (band)</span> Australian band

Tin Tin was a pop rock band, which first formed in Australia as the Kinetics in 1966. They relocated to the United Kingdom in 1969 and were renamed as Tin Tin, which comprised Steve Kipner, Steve Groves, John Vallins and Geoff Bridgford (drums). In 1970 they issued a single, "Toast and Marmalade for Tea", which was a No. 10 hit on the Go-Set National Singles Chart in June the following year. It also reached No. 20 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100. Their next single, "Is That the Way?" (1971), peaked at No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Loved Ones (Australian band)</span> Australian rock band

The Loved Ones were an Australian rock band formed in 1965 in Melbourne following the British Invasion. The line-up of Gavin Anderson on drums, Ian Clyne on organ and piano, Gerry Humphrys on vocals and harmonica, Rob Lovett on guitar and Kim Lynch on bass guitar recorded their early hits. Their signature song, "The Loved One", reached number two on Australian singles charts and was later covered by INXS. In 2001 it was selected as number six on the Australasian Performing Right Association's (APRA) list of Top 30 Australian songs of all time. Their debut album, The Loved Ones' Magic Box, was released late in 1967 and included their other hit singles, "Ever Lovin' Man" and "Sad Dark Eyes". They disbanded in October 1967 and, although the band's main career lasted only two years, they are regarded as one of the most significant Australian bands of the 1960s. They reformed for a short tour in 1987 which provided the album Live on Blueberry Hill. Humphrys lived in London from the mid-1970s until his death on 4 December 2005. On 27 October 2010, the Loved Ones were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vince Melouney</span> Australian musician (born 1945)

Vincent Melouney is an Australian musician. He is best known as an official member of the Bee Gees from 1967 to 1969 during the group's initial period of worldwide success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Ford (musician)</span> Australian musician

Douglas John Ford is an Australian rock guitarist and songwriter since the mid-1960s. He was lead guitarist of rock n roll group, the Missing Links (1965–66), then during 1968–72, he joined the pop-rock band, the Masters Apprentices. He established a writing partnership with that group's lead singer, Jim Keays. Ford participated in some of the reunions of the Masters Apprentices from 1988 to 1991 and 1997. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1998 the group were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

The Wild Cherries were an Australian rock group, which started in late 1964 playing R&B/jazz and became "the most relentlessly experimental psychedelic band on the Melbourne discotheque / dance scene" according to commentator, Glenn A. Baker.

The Purple Hearts were an Australian R&B, rock group, formed in Brisbane as the Impacts in 1964. The band included lead vocalist Mick Hadley, lead guitarist Barry Lyde, rhythm guitarists Paul Steffen (1964–65) and Fred Pickard (1965-66), bassist Bob Dames, and drummers Adrian "Red" Redmond (1964–66) and Tony Cahill (1966-67). The group issued an extended play, The Sound of the Purple Hearts (1966), and several singles, including "Long-legged Baby" (1965) and "Early in the Morning" (1966). They disbanded early in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Parkinson</span> Australian singer (1946–2021)

Douglas John Parkinson was an Australian pop and rock singer. He led the bands Strings and Things/A Sound (1965), the Questions (1966–1968), Doug Parkinson in Focus, Fanny Adams (1970–1971), the Life Organisation (1973), Southern Star Band (1978–1980) and Doug Parkinson Band (1981–1983). Doug Parkinson in Focus's cover version of the Beatles' track "Dear Prudence" peaked at No. 5 on the Go-Set National Top 40. The follow-up single, "Without You" / "Hair" (October), also reached No. 5. Parkinson released solo material and performed in musical theatre productions.

Ray Brown & the Whispers were an Australian rock band from 1964 to 1967. Led by singer Ray Brown (1945–1996), with Lawrie Barclay on rhythm guitar, Al Jackson on lead guitar, Pat Jeffery on drums and John Manners on bass guitar. The group issued four albums, Ray Brown & the Whispers (1965), Hits & Brass (1965), Heading for the Top (1966) and Dance Dance Dance (1966). Their top 5 singles were the cover versions, "Pride", "Fool, Fool, Fool", "In the Midnight Hour" and "Tennessee Waltz Song". Their last single for 1966, "Too Late to Come Home" had the Bee Gees on backing vocals. Brown left the band before year's end and continued as both a solo artist and leader of new groups. The Whispers broke up in 1967. Brown died of a heart attack on 16 August 1996, aged 51.

The Groop were an Australian folk, R&B and rock band formed in 1964 in Melbourne, Victoria and had their greatest chart success with their second line-up of Max Ross on bass, Richard Wright on drums and vocals, Don Mudie on lead guitar, Brian Cadd on keyboards and vocals, and Ronnie Charles on vocals. The Wesley Trio formed early in 1964 with Ross, Wright and Peter McKeddie on vocals; they were renamed The Groop at the end of the year.

The Groove was an Australian R&B, pop group which formed in early 1967 with the lineup of Geoff Bridgford on drums, Jamie Byrne on bass guitar, Tweed Harris on keyboards, Rod Stone on guitar and Peter Williams on lead vocals and guitar. In December 1967 their single, "Simon Says", peaked at No. 17 on the Go-Set National Top 40 Singles Chart. They followed with "Soothe Me", which peaked at No. 14 in April 1968. Also in April they released their self-titled debut album. In July that year they won the national final of the Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds competition with the prize including a trip to London. They relocated there in March 1969, and early the following year they changed their name to Eureka Stockade, they disbanded in 1971. On 13 October 2004 Tweed Harris died of throat cancer, aged 63.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duncan McGuire (musician)</span> Musical artist

Duncan Hazlett McGuire, was an Australian musician, songwriter, recording engineer and producer. McGuire was a founding member of the jazz fusion band Ayers Rock from 1973 until he left in 1976. As a bass guitarist, he appeared in several of Doug Parkinson's groups, including the Questions (1965–1968), Doug Parkinson in Focus (1968–1969) and the Southern Star Band (1978–1981). He went into music production in the early 1980s; in October 1980, he co-produced and engineered the debut self-titled album by Australian rock band INXS. Duncan McGuire was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he died in July 1989 of an associated brain tumour, aged 46.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In a Broken Dream</span> 1970 single by Python Lee Jackson

"In a Broken Dream" is a song and single by Australian rock band Python Lee Jackson featuring vocals from Rod Stewart.

Kevin Gullifer Hopkins-Smith, who performed as Little Gulliver and Gulliver Smith, was an Australian singer and songwriter from the early 1960s to mid-2000s. He was the front man and founding mainstay vocalist of Company Caine. In 1976 he and Ross Wilson co-wrote "A Touch of Paradise" for Wilson's group, Mondo Rock, which appeared on their third album, Nuovo Mondo. It was covered by John Farnham on his album, Whispering Jack, and was issued as its third single in February 1987, which reached the top 30 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart.

Digger Revell and the Denvermen were an Australian rock 'n' roll and instrumental surf band, which formed in 1961. Lead singer Digger Revell was joined by the Denvermen, Phil Bower on drums, Allan Crowe on bass guitar, Les Green on lead guitar and Tex Ihasz on rhythm guitar. They had top 40 hits on the Kent Music Report singles chart with "Surfside", "Blue Mountains", "Avalon Stomp" and "My Little Rocker's Turned Surfie" (1964). The group disbanded in 1965 and Revell had a solo career.

References

  1. Kimball, Duncan (2002). "The Denvermen". Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. Ice Productions. Archived from the original on 14 March 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Python Lee Jackson'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop . St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 6 August 2004.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Lewes, Jackie Lee (16 November 1966). "Clothes Help on the (L)Adder to success". The Australian Women's Weekly . Vol. 34, no. 25. p. 61. Retrieved 22 May 2017 via National Library of Australia.
  4. Kilby, David; Kilby, Jordie (5 May 2013). "Ward Austin". DJs on Disc. Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC)). Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  5. Nuttall, Lyn. "'Um Um Um Um Um Um' – Python Lee Jackson (1966)". Pop Archives – Sources of Australian Pop Records from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  6. Kimball, Duncan (2002). "Jeff St John & The Id / Yama / Copperwine". Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. Ice Productions. Archived from the original on 6 March 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  7. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  8. Gillett, Charlie & Frith, Simon (1975). Rock File 3 Chartlog – Sources of British Hit Songs:Writers, American Hits and Original Versions. St. Albans, England: Panther. p. 126. ISBN   0-586-04261-X.
  9. "Python Lee Jackson – Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  10. "RPM Top 100 Singles - July 29, 1972" (PDF).
  11. "Sweet Consolation". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  12. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 242. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.