Blonde on Blonde (band)
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Blonde on Blonde was a guitar-led psychedelic rock group from South Wales. The band was originally formed in Newport in 1967 by vocalist/guitarist Ralph Patel, drummer Les Hicks, bassist/organist Richard Hopkins and guitarist/sitar player Gareth Johnson. The band was named after Bob Dylan's 1966 album of the same name. They disbanded in early 1972. Even though they enjoyed strong reviews from music critics[citation needed] and achieved massive exposure playing before gigantic crowds at the 1969 Isle of Wight festival[citation needed] (coincidently headlined by Dylan), they never managed to generate much in the way of sales[citation needed].
In 1968 the quartet left Wales for London. Playing clubs such as London's Middle Earth generated publicity[citation needed] for the band, and Pye Records eventually signed the band.
Contrasts, released in 1969 and produced by Barry Murray, has been described as progressive[citation needed]. The album included the Robin Williamson covers "No Sleep Blues" and "I Need My Friend". A personal[citation needed] favorite was Patel's hysterical[citation needed] "Conversationally Making The Grade". Also included was a cover of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby".
1970's Rebirth was released in the wake of a heavy touring schedule and a massive personnel upheaval that saw singer/guitarist Ralph Patel replaced by school friend David Thomas. (For some reason bassist Hopkins was also credited as 'Richard John'.) Thomas' introduction gave the band a tougher, rock-oriented sound. Their sophomore album was varied, including Moody Blues-styled ballads ("Castles In The Sky"), progressive romps ("You'll Never Know Me/Release") and fuzz-propelled rockers ("November").
Their final album Reflections On A Life was released by Ember Records in 1971 to critical indifference[citation needed], achieving only modest commercial success. This could be partly attributed[citation needed] to the somewhat controversial content for the times, for example the eulogy to the joys of incest, "I don't care" whose lyrics included the lines: "makin' love with your flesh and blood, every night, some say it's evil, but I say it's alright".
[edit] Discography
- Contrasts (1969) - Janus
- Rebirth (1970) - Synergie Omp
- Reflections on a Life (1971) - Ember
- Whole Lotta Love (Single)(1979)
