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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 ZCHICKEN SHACKUK blues band, formed Birmingham '65: Stan Webb, vocals, guitar; Christine Perfect, vocals, piano; Andy Sylvester, bass; Dave Bidwell, drums. Along with Cream, John Mayall and Fleetwood Mac they unearthed obscure US blues and left room for guitar solos; they were among groups parodied by Bonzo Dog Band for earnest white approach to ethnic black music. Considerable success with Etta James's 'I'd Rather Go Blind' (no. 14 UK '69) largely due to Perfect's singing; debut LP Forty Blue Fingers, Freshly Packed And Ready To Serve '68 well received, Perfect singled out, winning a Melody Maker poll. Webb was focal point of live act with extended solos using 200 feet of guitar lead. Perfect married Fleetwood Mac's bassist John McVie '69 and they helped that group to its greatest success mid-'70s; Webb persevered with LPs OK, Ken? and 100 Ton Chicken '69, Accept '70; band split, re-formed; Webb briefly joined Savoy Brown, had band Broken Glass; in '85 Stan Webb's Chicken Shack were regulars on London pub-rock scene, still more popular in Europe. Other LPs incl. Imagination Lady, Unlucky Boy, Goodbye '72--4, Chicken Shack '79, Roadies' Concerto '81; compilation with Perfect In The Can '80. |