1960s

Eyes Of Blue

Eyes Of Blue were a Welsh band that had their start in the early 60s. By 1966, the lineup included vocalists Gary Pickford-Hopkins and Wyndham Rees, keyboardist Phil Ryan, guitarist Ray “Taff” Williams, bassist Ritchie Francis and drummer John Weathers. They recorded two albums of psychedelic music for the Mercury label, both produced by Lou Reizner. A third albums was released as The Big Sleep. Members would go on to join Man, Pete Brown & Piblokto!, Gentle Giant, Wild Turkey and The Neutrons.

Founded: 1966

Location: Wales

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Fairport Convention

For those interested in British folk rock, look no further.

Founded: 1967

Location: London, England

Website: Fairport Convention's official website

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Family

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Musically somewhat akin to Traffic and trademarked by the growl of Roger Chapman, Family was one of the most original and rewarding bands of the era. They avoided almost every cliche of the genre while remaining one of rock's most powerful live acts.

Founded: 1967

Location: Leicster, England

Website: Family Bandstand - Unofficial homepage for British rock band Family

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Genesis

Founded: 1967

Location: Godalming, Suffolk, England

Website: Official Genesis Website

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Giles, Giles & Fripp

The precedent of King Crimson.

Founded: 1967

Location: Dorset, England

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Gods, The

Formed by Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep, Brian and John Glascock (latter would join Jethro Tull) and Joe Konas, The Gods were the successors of The Rolling Stones at the Marquee Club in London in 1965. The band released two albums amoungst numerous personnel changes, including Greg Lake, Mick Taylor and Lee Kerslake, and eventually morphed into the band Toe Fat, while Hensley and Paul Newton would form Spice/Uriah Heep.

Founded: 1965

Location: Hatfield, England

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Gong

Refused entry to the UK, former Soft Machiner Daevid Allen remained in France and started Gong. Their earliest recordings take a cue from Barrett-era Floyd, but the hypnotic Continental Circus is underrated. Always maintaining a fluid line-up, things congealed enough for the classic Radio Gnome trilogy of albums. By 1975 however, Allen and Smyth headed down to Majorca, and the silliness subsided. Eventually Pierre Moerlen took over the helm, veering off into a full-fledged fusion outfit.

Founded: 1969

Location: Paris, France

Website: Planet Gong: Cyber-home of Gong, GAS and Gliss

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Groundhogs, The

Named after John Lee Hooker's song, "Groundhog's Blues," The Groundhogs were founded by brothers John and Pete Cruickshank and guitarist Tony McPhee. Drummer Ken Pustelnik joined in 1965, and the by the end of the 60s, the trio of Pete Cruickshank, McPhee and Pustelnik were one of England's hottest blues bands. A string of albums entered the UK charts in the early 70s, before Egg drummer Clive Brooks replaced Pustelnik in 1972. McPhee still operates the band to this day!

Founded: 1963

Location: London, England

Website: Groundhogs & Tony McPhee Official Web Site

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Group 1850

One of Holland's famous sons, Groep 1850 regrouped in 1968 in Amsterdam, recording two fantastically original psychedelic records, before disbanding on a regular basis. Even more exciting for the progressive fan was their final album, released in 1975.

Founded: 1964

Location: The Hague, Netherlands

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Halsall, Ollie

From Timebox to Patto to Boxer, via the Rutles and Tempest, and on to Kevin Ayers, Ollie Halsall was one of England's most original guitar players.

Founded: 1949

Location: Southport, Merseyside, England

Website: Welcome to The Official Ollie Halsall Archive

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