1976 Albums

Robert Calvert returned full-time to Hawkwind, following a guest spot with the band at the Reading Festival the previous August. Now consisting of guitarist Dave Brock, saxophonist Nik Turner, drummers Simon King and Alan Powell (the so-called "drum empire"), bassist Paul Rudolph and Simon House on keyboards and violin, Calvert now fronted Hawkwind. With new management in place, they signed to Charisma Records and released their eighth studio album, Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music, in August 1976. True to its title, the album features a more refined and contemporary sound.

With new keyboardist Jan Schelhaas, Caravan-now consisting of Schelhaas, Pye Hastings, Richard Coughlan, Geoffrey Richardson and Mike Wedgwood-signed to Miles Copeland’s BTM label and entered the studio with David Hitchcock to record their seventh studio album, Blind Dog At St. Dunstans. The title is a nod to the once Archbishop of Canterbury-named charity for blind veterans.