SMART SOUNDS by Colin Bell reviewing The Glitter Band: The Complete Singles Collection, 3CD Digipak

THE COMPLETE SINGLES COLLECTION  The Glitter Band

Memories  of 1973 come flooding back, For a good part of that year yours truly was on tour with these guys and their erstwhile ‘leader’.  Here for the first time in this new 3CD set are all the chart singles, some rare 45’s, the 1989 re-worked ‘Angel Face’ (not available on CD before) and a live performance recorded at The Marquee in 1985. For those who like a bit of history. When ‘Rock & Roll Parts 1 & 2’ was a surprise hit in 1972 for G.G. the records producer Mike Leander needed a touring band for live gigs. He parachuted in an already established bunch of guys who were then working as The Boston Showband. After a few shuffles and being known initially as The Glittermen they settled down to a stable line-up as The Glitter Band. The line-up was John Rossall (trombone & the bands musical director), Gerry Shephard (lead guitar & vocals), John Springate (bass & vocals), Harvey Ellison (saxophone), & keeping thumping tight time at the back the twin drummers Tony Leonard & Pete Phipps. It was the twin drum’s combined with Gerry’s glitter ‘Star’ guitar with its unorthodox multi-octave tuning that became the signature sound of the band. I think most people assumed the band played on the GG hits but they didn’t (other than John & Harvey sometimes contributing to the brass section), they were recorded by Mike Leander (&GG) in the studio doing all the parts. By 1973 the band wanted to write & record their own records. They approached Leander who agreed & signed them to a separate deal with Bell Records, (GG’s) label. They hit the ground running with their first single ‘Angel Face’ a number 4 hit (outselling GG’s latest offering). Over the next 2 years the band stacked up another half a dozen hits ‘Just For You’, ‘Lets Get Together Again’, ‘Goodbye My Love’, ‘The Tears I Cried’, ‘Love In The Sun’ & finally ‘People Like You & People Like Me’. Then in came Punk sweeping away the Glam acts. The band left Bell in 1976 for CBS where their debut single ‘Lay Your Love On Me’ dropped their signature sound & opted for a more pop/harmony approach, A clutch of singles followed but none troubled the charts. From then on the band would shift to smaller labels and the members would split into 2 ‘GlitterBand’s, one led by Gerry & Pete, and the other by John Rossall. The usual split ups, re-unions and legal wrangling over the right to use the Glitter Band name all ensued as the years ticked by. However the loyal fanbase remained and the various incarnations were welcomed with enthusiasm across Europe, Germany as ever being a faithful audience. And it’s that ‘live’ experience that for my money is the real winner in this new release. The 3rd CD in the set catches the band on fine form at The Marquee. Inevitably kicking off with the trademark ‘heys’ & beats of ‘Rock & Roll Part 2’ followed by the bands re-working of The Exciters ‘Tell Him’ (once proposed as a single). However rather than choosing to make it a ‘greatest hits’ set the band opt amongst other numbers to instead cover (& well) 2 Who tracks ‘The Kids Are Alright’ with some blistering guitar work before segueing neatly into ‘Substitute’ with some good solid drums by Pete. There follows a rather strange choice with the old soul classic ‘Stay With Me’ which whilst it could never match the original the band make a pretty fair fist of it with a neat guitar solo. Closing the set with their biggest hit ‘Angel Face’ & the natural final number ‘Goodbye My Love’ there’s no doubt the guys were clearly still greatly enjoying themselves. Sadly Gerry & Harvey are no longer with us. Gerry passed away aged just 51 in 2003 & Harvey in 2017, As i said at the start i have some very fond memories of the guys back at the height of Glitter mania & listening to this new compilation a lot have flooded back. As ever the packaging & accompanying booklet from 7T’s Records is great quality and a worthy addition to their ‘Complete’ series. Enjoy.

For more information go to https://www.cherryred.co.uk
Til next time…..stay safe….Colin

Mick O’Dowd… Memories of playing footie on the lawn at Alexander Park when the Glitter Over England tour stopped here for the Hastings Carnival night gig. Nice bunch of guys!

Mick Turner… That was when Gary Glitter was the Leader of the band, did it not rain that evening and he kept playing. I know he was prat but his music was good.

Colin Bell… Yes it did rain, i was compering the gig and we were all concerned as we’d built the stage of scaffolding we and him would get electrocuted or struck by the lightning that evening. In the light of later events (none of which any of us were aware of at the time) it might have been a good thing….

Mick O’Dowd… True Colin, me & Chris Gentry slept in an old caravan backstage the night before as security and it had the mother of all storms and kept us awake. It did rain on the day as well and I watched from under the stage!

Daryl Perkins… I loved this band!!!

Pete Prescott… I played one gig with Pete Phipps years ago. Nice guy. I was warned too not mention his old boss. I didn’t.

Tim Phillips… Thanks for posting Alan . Very informative. Many many years ago 1973 some of us from Ryes Boys Club dressed up as the glitter band on the back of a lorry . Always liked there tunes . It’s such a shame cover Bands do not play any GG or glitter bands tunes due to GG unforgivable behaviour.

Derek Johnson… Pete did an album of his own a couple of years ago. Not sure how it did. Really nice guy, always has time to talk, I last saw him in the sports centre a couple of years ago.

Willie Wicking..

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Tony Ham… John Rossall’s Glitter Band played The Con Club in Lewes last year.

Stuart Moir… We the old (Centre Page) supported them on Hastings Pier, I remember Revie Stockdale walked into their dressing room after they came off stage and the Glitter man was sat down on a sofa and looked about ninety.

Glitter, glam & Blackpool rock – interview with John Rossall by Darren Johnson

Darren Johnson… Following the release of his highly acclaimed new album ‘The Last Glam In Town’ I talk to former Glitter Band legend, John Rossall. Our chat covers glam rock, show bands, growing up in Blackpool and, of course, John’s new album and the prospect of touring again post-Covid.

Click this link to read the interview... https://darrensmusicblog.com

Patricia Burgess… Remember seeing him think it was at the football ground. Got to have been early 70’s

Peter Fairless… Hey, ‘Hey!’, let’s play it again, again… https://rossall.bandcamp.com

Glen Aylard… Glitter band legend? … is that John Rossall Glitter band or the original Glitter band which is still going ?

Peter Fairless… It’s Rossall and other contributors. A few interesting new songs, the remakes don’t add a lot but, hey – Hey! Hey Hey!, handclaps, sax and fuzzy guitars, what’s not to like?

Alan Esdaile… I played Angel Face on my radio show this week.

Willie Wicking… Was a nice guy he’s still a great showman. Saw him at the Con club in Lewes last year didn’t think it would sound the same as the old times but I was pleasantly surprised always liked the split off band with Gerry & Pete but lots of anger in amongst it all must say that Jon’s band with bob Bradbury (Hello) bobs son on drums & his wife on sax sounded awesome Saw him at the Con club in Lewes last year didn’t think it would sound the same as the old times but I was pleasantly surprised always liked the split off band with Gerry & Pete but lots of anger in amongst it all must say that Jon’s band with bob Bradbury (Hello) bobs son on drums & his wife on sax sounded awesome

Mick O’Dowd… Played football in the Park with him and the other guys when GG appeared there. I introduced him and then retreated under the stage as it poured hard with rain!Willie Wicking… Mick, was there that night with parents must have been 72 73

Alan Esdaile… Willie, 27th June 1973.

Andrew Clifton… Great night Willie.

Peter Fairless… We lived in Lower Park Road, I watched and listened from my sister’s bedroom window. It was absolutely pouring down, not sure how they got away without anyone being electrocuted!

The Glitter Band – White Rock Theatre – date?

supplied by Willie Wicking

Willie Wicking… From the White Rock Theatre, when they were on the same bill as The Rubettes and Alvin Stardust.

Alan Esdaile… Anyone confirm the date?

Daryl Perkins… There was a group of us who made a scrapbook for them…had our picture in the Observer. Think it was around 1975/76. Looking at picture again..different line up. Gerry Sheppard, John Springate, Tony Leonard, Harvey Ellison and Pete Phipps.

Willie Wickings… Loved them back then

Mick O’Dowd… Remember playing football in front of the stage in The Park where they were playing at the Hastings Carnival do with GG. Great guys.

Harvey Ellison sax player with The Glitter Band R.I.P. (1st Feb 2017)

http://louderthanwar.com/harvey-ellison-glitter-band-rip/

Andrew Clifton… Harvey Ellison formally of The Glitter Band passed away on Wednesday 1st February.

Alan Esdaile… I thought we might get through a day without someone we know dying. Remember him, I doubt if the BBC will mention it. R.I.P. Harvey Ellison and thanks for that great Sax.

Andrew Clifton… John Rossall is doing a gig in Bognor Regis. As a tribute. Here’s a photo taken two years ago at Bognor Regis. John Rossall and Harvey Ellison in full swing.

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photo by Andrew Clifton

Mick O’Dowd… Remember playing football in Alexandra Park Hastings with them when they appeared with a certain other person on Carnival Night.

Peter Fairless… Remember chatting with them when same certain person played the Pier Ballroom.

Peter Millington… Did a “support” Gig (SUSPECT) with GG and the Glitter Band in January 1973 – stage was covered in glitter and very slippery. Good act though.

Andre Martin… Part of a great entertainment, when they all played together RIP

Chris van Rock… Sad to hear … my childhood slipping away

Jan Warren… Its such a shame that “GG” has forever “darkened” the name of his faithful Glitter band, how could he do that?? – I saw GG and the Glitter Band live in Alexandra Park, Hastings in the early 70s, I wasn’t a fan, but my Hubby was, so I just went along with him, I remember GG being very arrogant, YUK!! – its sad that the Glitter Band had to live with the “shame” of their “leader” 🙁 – R.I.P Harvey Ellison 🙁 

Mick O’Dowd… If you have a GG autograph from Hastings Pier in January gig it was actually mine. I stood behind stage door & signed them because GG didn’t want to be bothered! Nice band and great guys. Tried to do the rock thing and smash their guitars into speaker cabinets. The “special” guitars were then gathered up and stuck togetheragain (sounds like a song) for the next show. That’s rock’n’roll!

Dave Johnson… So sad to hear about Harvey. He was a great guy and I have many happy memories of him appearing at Newcastle City Hall in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977. His place within the original Glitter Band will always be secured in our thoughts of him – rasping sax that gave the music that additional lift. Just been looking at a superb photograph of Harvey from the Geordie Scene Programme, filmed in Newcastle 1975 – a real star! Rock On dear mate.

Martyn Faulds… Very sad to hear of the passing of Harvey aged 65, along with the loss of Gerry Shephard aged 51 back in May 2003. Seems that so many of the 70S Glam Rock stars are leaving us. Both Harvey & Gerry started out in The Boston International band in 1966, based in Hamburg, Germany and split in 1973 to form the Glittermen,then Glitter Band.RIP Harvey & Gerry.

Lee Johnson… Darn tooting the BBC didn’t mention it! Nor did many other outlets – only just found out myself a few days ago. When will folk learn that one “man” does not a paedophile gang make? RIP Brian H Ellison.

Pete Fisher…Glam rock was my younger sister’s thing, but I did think some of the music was cool, and the Glitter band had a unique sound…in the early 80s friends of mine in a Norwich band had the job of recording demos for the Glitter band, and let me in on the secret of the guitar sound – 6 “A” strings in unison through an overdriven amp…they backed GG at a wedding and I drove the van, and got to meet the man, who was very polite and friendly, and extremely professional, with a whole vocabulary of Elvis type gestures to conduct the band…little did we know…credit has to go to Mike Leander, who played all the instruments except brass on the early recordings…good read here…http://thequietus.com/articles/00709-rock-roll-part-3-stepping-out-of-gary-glitter-s-shadow

Martin… I was at that John Rossall gig with Harvey in 2015 … in The Reds.  Took lots of video.  Maybe I should post some online.  Was my first time hearing the Glitter Band live.  Brilliant sounds that afternoon.

Daryl Perkins… I LOVED the Glitter Band…or G Band as they became….saw them so many times. On one of their appearances on the Pier a group of us made a scrapbook to present to them!! Embarrassingly it was in the Observer!! Still listen to their music. 😂😂