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
