Fusion Orchestra
| Fusion Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Progressive rock |
| Years active | 1969–1975 |
| Labels | EMI |
| Website | fusionorchestra.com |
| Past members | |
| Dave Bell Dave Cowell Colin Dawson Stan Land Jill Saward See also: Personnel |
|
Fusion Orchestra was a British progressive rock band active between 1969 and 1975.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The band was formed in 1969 by Dave Bell, Stan Land, and Colin Dawson, but the more recognisable incarnation was formed when Jill Saward joined on vocals in 1970. They performed regularly on the British club circuit in the early 1970s, clocking up over 500 gigs at venues such as the Marquee Club before they eventually split in 1975.[2] Their live performances were flamboyant and Saward's reputation for erotically charged on-stage antics drew both positive[3] and negative[4] publicity.
In 1973, the band were signed by EMI, and released their only album Skeleton in Armour. It contained four long and complex pieces in a progressive rock vein and a shorter single, "When My Mama's Not at Home", together with four short interlude tracks.
The band continued touring, but 1974 saw a series of line-up changes, and eventually lead guitarist and founding member Colin Dawson quit the band at the end of that year. The guitar duties were taken over by Alan Murphy, who subsequently played with Go West and Level 42. He played with the band until their final split in mid 1975. Saward sang in several bands and later went on to join Shakatak,[5] with whom she still records and tours.
[edit] Personnel
[edit] Skeleton in Armour
- Dave Bell — Drums; 1969–1975
- Dave Cowell — Bass; 1972–1973
- Colin Dawson — Lead guitar; 1969–1974
- Stan Land — Rhythm guitar; 1969–1974
- Jill Saward — Vocals, keyboards, flute; 1970–1975
[edit] Other members
- Mick Sluman — Bass; 1969–1972
- Paul Jennings — Bass; 1973–1975
- Andy Blamire — Rhythm guitar; 1974
- Alan Murphy — Lead guitar; 1975
- Martin Slavinec — Keyboards; 1974
[edit] Discography
- Skeleton in Armour
- "Fanfairy Suite for 1,000 Trampits (Part One)"
- "Sonata in Z"
- "Have I Left the Gas On?"
- "OK Boys, Now's Our Big Chance"
- "Skeleton in Armour"
- "When My Mama's Not at Home"
- "Don't Be Silly, Jilly"
- "Talk to the Man in the Sky"
- "Fanfairy Suite for 1,000 Trampits (Part Two)"
[edit] References
- ^ fusionorchestra.com
- ^ Fusion Orchestra Gigs
- ^ NME: "Front Row Reviews", 15 June 1974
- ^ Swindon Evening Advertiser: "Swindon ban on 'obscene' pop group", 18 August 1973
- ^ shakatak.com
