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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 ZBLUE MINKUK pop group '69--75. Original lineup: Madeline Bell, Roger Cook, vocals; Herbie Flowers, bass; Barry Morgan, drums; Alan Parker, guitar; Roger Coulam, keyboards; experienced session musicians, made album Blue Mink '69. Cook had successful songwriting partnership with Roger Greenaway; took lead vocals with Bell. Surprise no. 3 pop hit with 'Melting Pot', a catchy plea for racial harmony; they barely had enough material to play at their own London reception. Six more Cook/Greenaway top 30 singles '69--73 UK rarely strayed from trite, nursery-rhyme-style lyrics, Eurovision 'boom-banga-bang' formula. Success led to cabaret dates which in turn led to lineup changes: Coulam left for studio work, replaced by Ann Odell; Ray Cooper joined on percussion after a US tour. Split '75; Bell resumed solo/session career, Cook back to writing, Parker and Morgan sessioned at their own Morgan Studios, while Flowers (who wrote actor Clive Dunn's Xmas '70 no. 1 'Grandad') made LP Plant Life '75 before joining Sky, John Williams's classical/rock fusion group; second solo LP A Little Potty '80. Cooper worked with Elton John, Odell was a highly regarded arranger. The group was never more than part-time project, celebrated for Bell's voice; their memory was revived when similarly multi-racial Culture Club used 'Melting Pot' as encore in '83--4 tours. |