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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZFAMILYUK progressive rock band evolved from Leicester R&B band called Farinas, then Roaring Sixties; became Family '66 at suggestion of US producer Kim Fowley, with whom they made demos. Lineup: Roger Chapman, vocals (b 8 April 1944, Leicester); John 'Charlie' Whitney, guitar (b 4 June 1944); Jim King, sax, flute; Rick Grech, bass, violin (b 1 November 1946, Bordeaux, France); Harry Ovenall replaced on drums by Rob Townsend (b 7 July 1947) before first album Music In A Doll's House '68 on Reprise. Spooky production effects and Chapman's natural vibrato made an obvious 'underground' LP of the year, no. 29 UK. Family Entertainment '69 went to no. 6 UK with their best tracks 'Hung Up Down', 'The Weaver's Answer'. The supported the Rolling Stones at a Hyde Park concert; then replacement of King by ex-Eclection John 'Poli' Palmer may have cost some appeal; Grech quit on the eve of a USA tour late '69 to join short- lived Blind Faith, replaced by John Weider (b 21 April 1947, ex-Eric Burdon); USA debut at Fillmore East allegedly ended with a fistfight between Chapman and Bill Graham; Chapman lost his voice, then his visa and the disastrous tour caused loss of momentum. 'No Mule's Fool' no. 29 UK late '69 presaged A Song For Me '70, no. 4 LP, the first produced by the band. Anyway '70 was half live, half studio, reached no. 7; semi-compilation Old Songs New Songs '71 hurt momentum again. Strange Band (EP with 'Weaver's Answer'), single 'In My Own Time' were no. 11 and 4 UK. The arrival of John Wetton (b 12 June 1949, Derby; d 31 January 2017) added accomplished harmony to Fearless '71, probably their best LP overall, first to chart in USA (no. 177 '72). Bandstand '72 (with no. 13 UK hit 'Burlesque') also charted low in USA but neither LP sold as well in UK as earlier albums: Wetton and Palmer quit (former to join King Crimson, later Asia) replaced by Jim Cregan and Tony Ashton (b 1 March 1946, Blackburn) for It's Only A Movie '73, and they disbanded after a farewell tour ending in their home town. Chapman and Whitney maintained a writing/performing partnership, forming Streetwalkers with a shifting cast, made five LPs before splitting: Whitney left music, Chapman found success in Europe leading band the Shortlist. Townsend joined Medicine Head, then the Blues Band; Cregan went to Cockney Rebel, then Rod Stewart; Ashton sessioned. Their enthusiasm and inventiveness combined with bad luck to keep them from mega status. |