The Gods (band)

This article is about the 1960s British rock band The Gods. For the 1960s American proto-punk group, see The Godz (NYC band).

The Gods
Years active	1965–1969
Labels	EMI Polydor
Associated acts	Jethro Tull Bee Gees The Rolling Stones King Crimson Uriah Heep

The Gods were an English group founded in 1965. The original bandmembers included Mick Taylor (later with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the Rolling Stones), Brian Glascock, and his brother John (later with Jethro Tull).

Career

They were schoolmates from Hatfield and had been playing together as The Juniors (or The Strangers), a band they formed in 1962. Also part of this band were Malcolm Collins and Alan Shacklock. They eventually signed with EMI / Columbia Records. Their first 7" single (Columbia DB7339) appeared in 1964 ("There's a Pretty Girl"/"Pocket Size"). In 1965, the line-up changed. Mick Taylor continued to play guitar and teamed up with Ken Hensley (organ/vocals) (later guitarist with Uriah Heep). They also added Joe Konas (guitar/vocals) and changed their name to "The Gods".

In 1966, The Gods opened for Cream at the Starlite Ballroom in Wembley, London. A single (Come On Down To My Boat Baby/Garage Man) was recorded in early 1967 on Polydor Records. At this point the line-up included Mick Taylor, Ken Hensley, John Glascock, Brian Glascock and Lee Kerslake.

In May 1967, Mick Taylor got a call from John Mayall who was looking for a new guitarist to replace Peter Green. When Taylor joined the Bluesbreakers, he left behind a faltering bluesband. The band sought to revive their fortunes on the club/college circuit. They relocated to London and secured a residency at The Marquee. John Glascock (bass) was replaced by Paul Newton in June 1967 and then by Greg Lake. Greg Lake left in the Summer of 1968 to join King Crimson. The band had to re-group again and John Glascock was asked to return.

With John Glascock back in the fold they recorded a couple of progressive rock albums and a few singles. Of their singles, "Hey! Bulldog", The Beatles track, is their best known, and both sides have been included on the compilation album, The Great British Psychedelic Trip Vol. 3. The band played an amalgam of psychedelia and progressivism. Tracks like "Towards The Skies" and "Time And Eternity" from their 1968 album Genesis are full of heavy ploughing Hammond organ and distorted guitar riffs and Ken Hensley's unique and rather dramatic vocals add a further dimension.

Most of The Gods' material is fairly typical late 1960s pop/rock, epitomised by songs like "Radio Show" and "Yes I Cry". There are shades of Vanilla Fudge on their cover of West Side Story extract "Maria". On a few tracks like "Candlelight" and "Real Love Guaranteed" there is an inkling of the heavier sound Hensley and Kerslake would propagate in their next venture, Uriah Heep.^{[citation needed]}

The Gods were the successors of The Rolling Stones at the Marquee Club in London.

After recording two albums, Genesis (1968) and To Samuel a Son (1969), they signed with a new record company, recruited Rebel Rousers singer Cliff Bennett and changed their name to Toe Fat, which also lasted two years and two albums.

Personnel

The following have been members of The Gods-

• John Glascock (bass) (later with Toe Fat, Chicken Shack, Carmen, Jethro Tull)
• Brian Glascock (drums) (later with The Motels and with the Bee Gees)
• Mick Taylor (guitar) (later with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and the Rolling Stones)
• Ken Hensley (organ and vocals, occasional guitar) (later with Uriah Heep)
• Joe Konas (guitar/vocals)
• Lee Kerslake (drums) (later with Uriah Heep)
• Paul Newton (bass) (later with Uriah Heep)
• Greg Lake (bass) (later with King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
• Cliff Bennett (vocals) (of Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers)
• Alan Shacklock (guitar) (later with Babe Ruth)

Discography

Singles

• "Come On Down To My Boat Baby / Garage Man" (Polydor 56168)
• "Baby's Rich" / "Somewhere In The Street" (Columbia DB 8486)
• "Hey Bulldog" / "Real Love Guaranteed" (Columbia DB 8544)
• "Maria" (from "West Side Story") / "Long Time Sad Time Bad Time" (Columbia DB 8572)

Albums

• Genesis (L.P. Columbia SCX 6286) 1968, re-issued 1994 Repertoire Records
• To Samuel a Son (L.P. Columbia SCX 6372) 1969, re-issued 1995 Repertoire Records
• Best of The Gods (compilation CD)

See also

• "Come On Down To My Boat" by Every Mother's Son

External links

• The Gods Biography

Note: The Gods did Not change their name to Toe Fat, rather Joe Konas left [moved to Canada] and the rest were hired to be part of Cliff Bennett's new band [Toe Fat]. After one album Hensley left, joined 'Spice' [to soon be renamed Uriah Heep], and Kerslake who played [uncredited] on some of Toe Fat '2', joined The National Head Band. He didn't join Heep til after their 3rd album. Also, Greg Lake was in the band for about 6 months when they were discovered by Producer David Paramor and Ron Fetaherstone [of EMI]. Lake left as he was vying to be top dog with Hensley, and was replaced by John Glasscock [again]. Prior to Lake Paul Newton was in the Gods, he would leave to join Spice, and later recommended Hensley for that band [as it became Uriah Heep].