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13 JAN 1972 Scotland, Glasgow, Green’s Playhouse w/ Help Yourself 14 JAN 1972 Scotland, Dundee, Caird Hall w/ Help Yourself 15 JAN 1972 Scotland, Edinburg, Empire Theatre w/ Help Yourself Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player. 15 JAN 1972 TV BROADCAST (France) Rockenstock, England, Olympic Studios,...
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02 JAN 1971 England, Dagenham, Village Roundhouse Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player. 10 JAN 1971 France, Paris, Olympia Theatre Concert excerpts filmed and broadcasted by French TV program POP2 TV BROADCAST (France) on 16 Jan 1971. Broadcast includes “Holding The Compass ,” “Part Of...
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01 JAN 1970 BBC SESSION John Peel’s Sunday Show, England, London, BBC Paris Cinema Set includes only two live performances “93’s OK J” and “Here Comes The Grin,” officially released in BBC Sessions Vol. 3; other songs played are the same as the album versions from Song For Me. Tyrannosaurus Rex...
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xx JAN 1969 England, Sheffield, City Hall 06 JAN 1969 England, Sunderland, Bay Hotel 17 JAN 1969 England, London, Royal Albert Hall w/ Ten Years After, Principal Edwards Magic Theatre, Georgie Fame, John Peel 18 JAN 1969 England, Manchester, Houldsworth Hall w/ Roy Harper, Bridget St. John 25 JAN 1969 England, Coventry,...
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FAMILY Mk I Roger Chapman: vocals, tenor saxophone, harmonica, percussion John ‘Charlie’ Whitney: guitars, keyboards Ric Grech: bass, violin, cello, vocals Jim King: tenor and soprano saxophones, harmonica, vocals, piano Harry Ovenall: drums, percussion 1966 09 SEP 1966 England, Hitchin, Hermitage Halls (billed as The...
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01 JAN 1968 England, London, Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly 02 JAN 1968 England, London, Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly 03 JAN 1968 England, London, Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly 04 JAN 1968 England, London, Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly 05 JAN 1968 England, London, Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly 06 JAN 1968...
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Tony Ashton joins Family full-time, having initially stood in as a temporary replacement for Poli Palmer. Rob Townsend, Tony Ashton, Jim Cregan, Charlie Whitney, Roger Chapman FAMILY Mk VII Roger Chapman: vocals, tenor saxophone, harmonica, percussion John ‘Charlie’ Whitney: guitars, keyboards, mellotron, sitar Rob...
Introduction
were festival staples, and covered a lot of musical ground, touching on 60′s psychedelia; breezy acoustic passages; hard progressive rock; jazz-flavorings; and in their final stages, a laid-back, “good-time” brand of rock and roll.All of this was anchored by the axis of Roger Chapman (aka Chappo) on vocals, and Charlie Whitney on guitars. Mr. Chapman is thought by many to have the most unique voice in rock. This can be alternately down-home and soothing, to outright manic and throat-wrenching…almost a bleating straight from hell itself. Chapman recently said of his talents: “I thought I was just singing like Little Richard or Ray Charles”. Yeah, right! Mr. Whitney can be called one of the most underrated guitarists of the era… being most proficient on twelve-string guitars, acoustic and electric. The double-necked Gibson SG EDS-1275 was his instrument of choice for some time. FAMILY also included a couple of famous alumni, namely Ric Grech, who went on to Blind Faith; John Wetton, future star of King Crimson, UK, ASIA and others; and Jim Cregan, who was a hit songwriter in Rod Stewart‘s band and went on to work with Bernie Taupin in Farm Dogs. Here’s what the Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock has to say:“Seminal British folk-hard-rock-prog band fronted by Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney. Their music was instantly recognizable due to Chapman’s unique and grating vocals. Musically they covered a wide range of stuff, all condensed into song format and generally accessible, but still very progressive for its time.”
After seven lp’s and five years of touring, Family called it quits due to uneven success and lack of attention in the American market. British radio host John Peel suggested that it was Chapman’s reluctance to deliver “hummable songs” that kept him from the recognition enjoyed at that time by fellow Englishmen Joe Cocker and Rod Stewart. But Family‘s stubborn innocence has given them a unique, legendary status.
Roger Chapman on Family’s career:
“We didn’t try to be different, it was never calculated… It was as naive and as honest as that.”
But the partnership of Chapman/Whitney didn’t end here. They went on to make a few more albums in the late 70′s as the STREETWALKERS, with a more direct sound of R &B. Charlie Whitney then formed Axis Point for a couple of albums, and is now with a blues and bluegrass combo in the UK called Los Racketeeros . Roger Chapman began his long-awaited solo career in 1978 and formed a partnership with guitarist Geoff Whitehorn. He found greatest success in Europe, and most of his releases were based in Germany. However, he is still producing records with much success in both UK & Germany. For more Chappo info please head over to the Roger Chapman Appreciation Society.
Also, check out the Wikipedia entry for Family: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family
Read MoreRecent News
January 12, 2010 |
Chapman/Whitney Streetwalkers long awaited CD reissue
After Family’s break up in 1973, Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney kept things going and recorded an album...
July 25, 2009 |
Previously Unreleased FAMILY BBC Sessions officially released
Previously unreleased BBC tapes from this legendary progressive rock band. Two previously unreleased tracks. This...
May 7, 2009 |
New Roger Chapman album “Hide Go Seek”
Hide Go Seek, the new Roger Chapman album, will be released in the UK on 5th May and in Europe on 8th May. It is...
August 16, 2008 |
Best of Family & Friends CD and DVD set
A little late to report, but in March 2008, Angel Air released “Best of Family & Friends” CD/DVD...
February 16, 2008 |
FamilyBandstand.com launches
In the mid-90′s, super Family fan Patrick Little created and maintained the Strange Band – The Family...
May 10, 2007 |
Repertoire Limited Edition Remasters
Repertoire Records releases limited edition digisleeve remasters of a few Family albums…be sure to add them...