Family

Family was a group English Rock of style progressive formed in 1966, and composed in the beginning of Roger Chapman (song), John " Charlie" Whitney (guitar), Jim King (saxophone, harmonica, song and flute), Rick Grech (low, violin and song), and Rob Townsend (battery). Without never reaching the world dedication, probably because of ceaseless changes of personnel, Family a considerable success with the the United Kingdom obtained. This success must much with the vocal performances of its singer Roger Chapman, with the voice gutturale and the violent stage business.

Biography

Beginnings

Family begins officially its career in 1966 with Leicester in the the Midlands, (England), although the original formation of the group goes back to 1962 whereas they were still called The Farinas then The Roaring Sixties . Farinas originals are composed of the guitarist John " Charlie" Whitney, of the bass player Tim Kirchin, the beater Harry Overnall, and of Jim King to the song and the saxophone. Rick Grech replaces Tim Kirchin with low since 1965, then Roger Chapman joined the group in 1966 as singer. The American producer Kim Fowley then suggests with the group changing name to become Family (allusion to the Maffia); A posture which the members hasten to give up to adopt a directed image Hippy. Very quickly after the name change, the beater Harry Overnall yields its place to Rob Townsend. In 1968, Family settles with London.

First albums

The first individual one of Family Scene Through The Eye Of has Lens/Gypsy Woman leaves to the autumn 1967 on the Liberty label. Although this individual is well accommodated by criticism, there will remain little diffused, probably because of its complex and not very commercial nature. The first album of Family Music In has Doll' S House appears in July 1968, produced by Dave Mason, member of Traffic. Mason contributes to the title Never Like This , only song recorded by Family which is not written by one of the members of the group. Music In has Doll' S House enters the hit-parade and receives an eulogistic reception on behalf of criticism. It profits from a good diffusion to the radio operator British thanks to the support of John Peel. Success is with go thanks to the vocal performances of Chapman, with the traditional style of Grech to the violin, and the sound jazzy of King. Some criticize the album not finding in studio the " sauvagerie" could make Family proof on scene. The following album leaves in February 1969 and is entitled Family Entertainment . It is less experimental and psychedelic, but more eclectic. It contains the famous Hung Up Down , Observations and success The Weaver' S Answer , aggressive and surprising.

US round

After the British success of their the first two albums, Family plans to conquer the America. Right before the round of 1969, Rick Grech, which contributed largely to its Family with its violin, leaves way impromptue the group to join Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker within the super-group Blind Faith. It is replaced by the bass player John Weider (ex- New Animals). The round of Family to the the United States begin with a concert with the Fillmore East under the aegis of Bill Graham, with Ten Years After and Nice. During the first, Roger Chapman, and its famous movements of arm, failed " décapiter" Graham and to be made expel of Fillmore. The group is renewed but Chapman must continue the round the arms along the body. Although Family and Graham are reconciled, the reputation of Family would never have recovered from this incident. After the round, Jim King is raised of his functions because of his addiction and is replaced at once by the multi-instrumentalist John " Poli" Micrometer caliper (ex- Blossom Toes) with the keyboards, the vibraphone and the flute.

The Seventies

Album 1970 of Family ( has Song For Me ) develops a more aggressive style, dominated by the guitar of Whitney and work with the keyboards and the vibraphone of Micrometer caliper. This formation and its new style make it possible Family to gain European many people. They can thus take part in several major festivals of the beginning of the the Seventies of which the festival of the island of Wight and that of Kralingen to the Netherlands. These participations appear in the documentary film " Message To Love" through one their songs used as musical accompaniment. The following album ( Anyway ) comprises a face as a public recorded in Fairfields Hall of Croydon (England), and a face in studio. In 1971 Weider leaves the group to join Stud and is replaced by the bass player of Mogul Thrash John Wetton. More often than Grech in the original formation of the group, Wetton divides the vocal ones with Chapman. This formation records the two following albums of Family: Fearless in October 1971, then Bandstand in October 1972. These two albums will be successes in Great Britain and with the the United States.

Epilog

In the middle of the year 1972, Wetton leaves Family to join the formation of Robert Fripp King Crimson. It is replaced by Jim Cregan (ex- Blossom Toes and ex- Stud) with low. In November of this same year, Palmer from goes away and is replaced by the clavierist Tony Ashton, ex-member of Ashton, Gardner and Dyke. Between the departure of Wetton and that of Micrometer caliper, Family turns to the United States and Canada with Elton John. In 1973, Family leaves It' S Only has Movie which will be their last album in studio, although the group is then a considerable success in the United Kingdom. Family will give its last concert in public to Leicester, town of its beginnings, in Montford Hall on October 13rd, 1973. Inseparable the Roger Chapman and John " Charlie" Whitney will continue their collaboration within the Streetwalkers.

Discography

Albums

  • 1968 : Music In has Doll' S House

  • 1969: Entertainment
  • 1970 : has Song For Me
  • 1970: Anyway (partially in public)
  • 1971: Fearless
  • 1972 : Bandstand
  • 1973 : It' S Only has Movie
  • 1973: The Peel Sessions (in public)
  • 1973: Radio operator BBC 1 Live In Concert (in public)

Individual

  • 1967 : Scene Through The Eye Of has Lens/Gypsy Woman

  • 1968: Me My Friend/Hey Mr. Policeman
  • 1968: Second Generation Woman/Hometown
  • 1969: No Mule' S Fool/Friend Off Mine
  • 1970: Today/Song For Batches
  • 1970: Strange Band/The Weaver' S Answer (remix)/Hung Up Down (remix)
  • 1971: In My Own Time/Seasons
  • 1971: Larf And Sing/Children
  • 1972: Burlesque/The Rockin' R' S
  • 1972: My Friend In The Sun/Glove
  • 1973: Boom Bang/This Stop Because
  • 1973: Drink To You/Sweet Desired

Compilations

  • 1971 : Old Songs New Songs

  • 1974 : Best Off Family
  • 1981: From Past Files
  • 1990: The Family
  • 1992 : A' S & B' S
  • 1994: Best Off Family

Personnel

Members

Musicians in studio

  • Dave Mason : Keyboards, low, guitar on Music In has Doll' S House

  • Nicky Hopkins: Keyboards on Family Entertainment

Reference

In its original version, this article is a translation of the Family article, on English Wikipédia.

External bonds

  • (in) Strange Band - the page on Family

  • (in) Re-examined albums of Family

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