Rock Legends Atomic Rooster head to Under The Bridge

One of the great things about being around in London in the mid-lates Sixties and beyond was the chance to catch up&coming acts at The Marquee Club in Soho. The soon-to-be-huge acts like John Mayall’s BluesBrakers, Cream, Ten Years After, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin and The Faces were having a great impact. BUT breathing on their necks were for me an equally interesting slew of bands and artists that often played a support slot then leapt into top billing status.

The groups in this wave were many and varied – Lindisfarne, Steamhammer, East of Eden, Sam Apple Pie, Trees, Eclection, Stud, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Doctors Of Madness (returning soon !) and Tramline.  But led then by John Cann, Atomic Rooster soon garnered a following for their shadowy, fierce attack and strong material, all swamped in swirling organ riffs that stuck in the brain…

Atomic Rooster were formed from the ashes of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown in 1969. Their debut gig was at the Lyceum in London (supported by Deep Purple) and their first self-titled album was released in February 1970. It was after the release of “Death Walks behind you” that they had their first taste of UK chart success with “Tomorrow Night” and “Devil’s Answer“. The band split in 1975 and briefly reformed in the early 1980’s. Main band member Vincent Crane joined Dexys Midnight Runners in 1985 for the “Don’t Stand Me Down” album before he sadly passed away in 1989.

But now, with the full blessing of Vincent Crane‘s widow, the band feature early key members Pete French (vocals) and Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton (guitar) along with Shug Millage (bass), Bo Walsh (drums) and Adrian Gautrey (organ/keys).

Pete Sargeant