Savoy Brown
Formed in 1966 as the Savoy Brown Blues Band, this institution continues to be led by founding guitarist Kim Simmonds. The original line-up, comprising Simmonds (b. 6 December 1947), Brice Portius (vocals), Ray Chappell (bass), John O'Leary (harmonica), Bob Hall (piano) and Leo Mannings (drums), was featured on early sessions for producer Mike Vernon's Purdah label, before a second guitarist, Martin Stone, joined in place of O'Leary. The reshaped sextet then secured a recording contract with Decca Records. Their debut, Shake Down, was a competent appraisal of blues favourites, featuring material by Freddie King, Albert King and Willie Dixon. Unhappy with this reverential approach, Simmonds dismantled the band, retaining Hall on an auxiliary basis and adding Chris Youlden (vocals), Dave Peverett (b. 16 April 1943, Dulwich, London, England, d. 7 February 2000; guitar/vocals), Rivers Jobe (bass) and Roger Earl (drums). The new line-up completed Getting To The Point before Jobe was replaced by Tony Stevens. The restructured unit was an integral part of the British blues boom. In Youlden they possessed a striking frontman, resplendent in bowler hat and monocle, whose confident, mature delivery added panache to the group's repertoire. Their original songs matched those they chose to cover, while the Simmonds/Peverett interplay added fire to Savoy Brown's live performances. "Train To Nowhere", from Blue Matter, has since become one of the genre's best-loved recordings.

Listen to Savoy Brown at Finetune.

Albums
Top Tracks
  • Tell Mama
  • Hellbound Train
  • I Can't Get Next to You
  • Louisiana Blues
  • Street Corner Talking
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