- Streetwalkers
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Streetwalkers 
Background information Origin England Genres Blues rock, hard rock, arena rock Years active 1974–1977 Labels Mercury, Reprise, Vertigo, BGO, Swan Song Associated acts Family, Chapman-Whitney, Iron Maiden, Axis point Members Roger Chapman, Charlie Whitney, Bobby Tench Past members Nicko McBrain, Mickey Feat, David Dowle, Brian Johnstone Streetwalkers were an English rock band formed in late 1973 by two former members of Family, vocalist Roger Chapman and guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney. They were a five piece band which evolved from Chapman and Whitney's previous touring band Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers.
The band was managed by Michael Alphandary and Harvey Goldsmith[1] and were best known for their live performances and their album Red Card (1976). By 1977 their potential to become more important in UK rock history was diminished by changing musical taste, due to the growing influence of Punk rock and New Wave music on European culture. The band had success in USA and Europe, particularly Germany.[2]
Contents
History
Chapman and Whitney signed to the Reprise label in 1973 and recorded Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers (1974) with a lineup including other members of Family and King Crimson, known as Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers. When writing about the album, Patrick Little of Allmusic commented:
“ The mixture of rockers and ballads was not Family; yet there was added depth to the music, stemming from the evolved songwriting and from the involvement of so many musicians. "Roxianna" and "Showbiz Joe" were part New Orleans jazz, continuing the Americana feel of Family's last album. "Systematic Stealth" a lovely textured ballad and the slunky "Creature Feature" demonstrate the range of Roger Chapman's unusual voice, from gravelly crooning to just plain gravel. The album's most stunning moments, "Parisienne High Heels" and "Hangman" are brooding and hair raising in their energy and dark themes.[3] ” During this period keyboard player Blue Weaver appeared with them at concerts, such as the Reading Festival in the summer of 1974.[4] Bobby Tench from The Jeff Beck Group and Hummingbird was also featured in their fluid, informal touring band line up and appeared at concerts such as in Hyde Park, London, the same year[5]
After recording the album Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers, Chapman and Whitney changed the official name of their band to Streetwalkers and Tench joined them as a band member when they signed to Phonogram Records, in 1975. Their line-up was completed by, drummer Nicko McBrain who was soon to join Iron Maiden and bassist John Plotel. Tench, McBain and Plotel had previously appeared on a European broadcast for the German TV show Rockpalast with Chapman and Whitney earlier the same year, billed as The Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers.[6] Downtown Flyers (1975) was released in both USA and Europe but did not achieve the anticipated success in USA, although interest in Europe was more encouraging. Their next album, the groove heavy album Red Card (1976) reached #16 in UK album charts[2] and remains a much respected album.[7] The band performed at a series of concerts entitled Who Put The Boot In appearing at UK Football stadiums, during May and June 1976. The billing for these concerts included The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Little Feat, Outlaws, Widowmaker and Streetwalkers were the last act to appear before The Who performed.[8]
On 12 June 1976 they made their first appearance for John Peel on his "Peel Sessions" recorded by BBC radio, with the line-up of Chapman, Whitney, Tench, Plotel and McBrain[9] and were featured by Peel once more as a "Peel session", on March 14, 1977.[10] On 19 April the same year, they made their final appearance on Rockpalast, with a line-up which included Chapman, Whitney, Tench, keyboardist Brian Johnstone, bassist Mickey Feat and drummer David Dowle who later joined Whitesnake.[11]
By the time Vicious But Fair (1977) was released, Vertigo had shifted their commercial emphasis to the musical trends of Punk rock and New Wave music. The euphoria surrounding the band began to diminish and the potential of becoming more established in Europe evaporated. Streetwalkers Live (1977) was their final album and included a rough and ready compilation of poorly recorded tracks, probably released to comply with contractual obligations. In his review of this album for Allmusic, John Dougan mentions the poor quality of the recording and states that: "Chapman tears off a few soulful moments and it can rock".[12] By now the band had broken up and Tench moved on to work with Van Morrisson, along with Feat.
Band members
Roger Chapman, 1974
Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers musicians 1973-1974
- Roger Chapman- harmonica, percussion and vocals
- Charlie Whitney- guitar and steel guitar
- Bobby Tench- guitar, vocals, percussion, keyboards
- Max Middleton- keyboards
- Michael Giles - drums
- Ian Wallace - drums
- Ric Grech - bass
- John Wetton- bass and vocals
- Blue Weaver- keyboards
- Tim Hinkley- keyboards and vocals
- Neil Hubbard- guitar
- Bobby Tench - guitar and vocals
- Boz Burrell- vocals
- Jim Cregan- vocals
- Linda Lewis- background vocals
- Godfrey McLean - percussion
- Poli Palmer - vibraphone and background vocals
Streetwalkers musicians 1975-1977
- Roger Chapman - harmonica, percussion and vocals
- Charlie Whitney - guitar, keyboards, slide guitar
- Bobby Tench - guitar, vocals, percussion, keyboards
- Jon Plotel - bass and background vocals
- Micky Feate - bass
- Nicko McBrain - percussion and drums
- David Dowle - drums
- Brian Johnstone - keyboards
Albums
- Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers Reprise K 54017UK/Mercury USA (1974)<[2]
- Downtown Flyers Vertigo 6360 123 (1975) [2]
- Red Card Vertigo 9102 010 UK/Mercury USA (1976). Reached #16 in UK album chart[7]
- In Concert BBC (1975)
- Vicious But Fair Vertigo 9102 012UK/Mercury USA (1977)[2]
- Live Streetwakers Vertigo 6641 703 (1977)[2]
- Best of Streetwalkers Vertigo 846 661 2(1991)[2]
Re-issues
- Red Card Repertoire REP 4147-WP CD (2002)[2]
- Downtown Flyers BGO (2002)<[2]
- Vicious but Fair See for Miles SEECD 352(1994)[2]
- Live at the BBC Windsong 61 (1994)
- Streetwalkers Live BGO (2004)
Compilations
- Red Card/Vicious but Fair BGO BGOCD 606 (2005)
Singles
- "Roxianna"/"Crack" Reprise K14357 (1974)[2] taken from Chapman-Whitney Streetwalkers album
- "Raingame"/"Miller" Vertigo 6059 130 (1975)[2] taken from Downtown Flyers album
- "Daddy Rolling Stone"/"Hole In Your Pocket" Vertigo 6059 144 (1976)[2] taken from Red Card album
- "Chilli Con Carne"/ "But You're Beautiful" Vertigo Europe from Vicious but Fair album
Notes
- ^ Stark, David and Dexter, Jeff (See 1974-06-29). Hard Rock Calling: Forty years of hard rock in Hyde Park. songlink.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Joynson, Vernon. The Comprehensive guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Phychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976. Borderline Productions (2008). p. 819.
- ^ Little, Patrick. "Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r50404. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ "Chapman and Whitney at Reading Festival". ukrockfestivals.com. http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/reading-74.html. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ "Hyde Park Free Festival". ukrockfestivals.com. 1974-29-06. http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/hydepark-6-29-74.html. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ "Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers, Rockpalast archive July 1975". http://www.rockpalastarchiv.de/concert/street.html. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ a b British Hit Singles & Albums. Guinness World Records Ltd. p. 536.
- ^ "Who Put The Boot In". ukrockfestivals.com. http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/who-ptbin-76-vftmud.html. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "Streetwalkers BBC Peel Sessions June 1976". bbc.co.uk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/s/streetwalkers/. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
- ^ "Streetwalkers BBC Peel sessions March 1977". bbc.co.uk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/s/streetwalkers/. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
- ^ "Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers, Rockpalast archive". 1997-19-04. http://www.rockpalastarchiv.de/concert/street.html. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ Dougan, John. "Live Streetwalkers". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r50408. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
References
- Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976. Borderline (2006). Reprinted 2008. ISBN 1-899855-15-7
- Roberts, David. British Hit Singles & Albums (19th edition)". London: Guinness World Records Limited(2006). ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
- Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers and Streetwalkers at Rockpalast WDR Studio-L Köln 1975 and 1977
- Streetwalkers discography at Allmusic
- Streetwalkers Crawfish. Live at Rockpalast March 25, 1975 at NME.com
Family Roger Chapman · John "Charlie" Whitney · Jim King · Ric Grech · Rob Townsend
Harry Ovenall · John Weider · John "Poli" Palmer · John Wetton · Jim Cregan · Tony AshtonStudio albums Music in a Doll's House · Family Entertainment · A Song for Me · Anyway · Fearless · Bandstand · It's Only a MovieCompilations Studio albums Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers • Downtown Flyers • Red Card • Vicious But Fair • Best Of StreetwalkersLive albums Live Streetwalkers • Live at BBC Radio 1Categories:- English rock music groups
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