Shotgun Express

Shotgun Express was a short-lived British R&B band formed in London in May 1966. Although it achieved little success at the time, it is notable for having briefly included such subsequently famous musicians as Rod Stewart, Mick Fleetwood and Peter Green.

The band emerged when Peter Bardens' instrumental group, Peter B's Looners, which included Bardens on keyboards, Peter Green on guitar, Dave Ambrose (who went on to become a legendary A&R man, signing the Sex Pistols and Duran Duran)[1] on bass and Mick Fleetwood on drums, decided to change styles and add vocalists. They were joined by singers Rod Stewart - previously of Steampacket - and Beryl Marsden - who had been the leading female singer on the Liverpool club scene - and took the name Shotgun Express.[2]

The band played London clubs, and focused on performing soul classics such as "Knock On Wood", "In The Midnight Hour", and "Hold On, I'm Comin'".[3] Green left the band in late 1966 to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and was replaced by, first, John Mooreshead and then Phil Sawyer. The group released their first single, "I Could Feel The Whole World Turn Round" (Columbia DB 8025), in October 1966, but it was regarded as over-orchestrated by the band's followers and was not successful. Stewart then left to join the Jeff Beck Group at the start of 1967. The group released a second single, "Funny 'Cos Neither Could I", again with little success.[2]

Shotgun Express split up in early 1967. Fleetwood joined Green in John Mayall's band before founding Fleetwood Mac. Marsden joined The She Trinity, Ambrose joined Brian Auger, Sawyer joined Spencer Davis, and Bardens later formed prog-rock band Camel.[2][4][5][6]

References

  1. ↑ Beanz Rudden (2013-02-23). "The Man | The Myth | The Legendary A&R Man: Dave Ambrose". Plutonicgroup.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  2. 1 2 3 "Sky.com | Your Home for the Latest Sky News, Sports & Entertainment". Songs.sky.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  3. ↑ "ABOUT ROD - Biography 60s". Rodstewartfanclub.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  4. ↑ "the-blindman.com". the-blindman.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  5. ↑ "Beryl Marsden - Beryl Marsden - Mersey Beat". Triumphpc.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  6. ↑ "Phil Sawyer Music". Phil Sawyer Music. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
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