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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 ZTHUNDERCLAP NEWMANUK pop group formed late '60s by singer/ drummer John "Speedy' Keen, ex-Post Office engineer, and jazz pianist Andy Newman. Latter had met Pete Townshend at art school; Keen had persuaded Who to record his "Armenia City In The Sky' on their Sell Out LP '67. Townshend put them together, played bass and added guitar prodigy Jimmy McCulloch (b 13 Aug. '53, Glasgow; d 27 Sep. '79, London); first single "Something In The Air' for Who's Track label was surprise no. 1 '69, perfect for post-psychedelic era, with wistful Keen vocal and sympathetic piano. TV showed them visually unlikely pop stars and live gigs failed to take off too, with Jim Avory on bass, Jimmy's younger brother Jack on drums (to let Keen out in front); "Accidents' just missed top 40; Townshend prod. slice of psychedelia Hollywood Dream '70; they faded. Newman made solo Rainbow '71, still on Track with wide array of strange instruments; Keen made Previous Convictions '71 on Track, Y'Know Wot I Mean '75 on Island, both standard singer/songwriter material; McCulloch became journeyman guitarist with John Mayall, Stone The Crows, Blue, Wings, Dukes; died of suspected OD. Underrated group with necessarily short life. |