Robert Tench Godfrey McLean Delisle Harper Derek Austin Michael Piggott Alan Roskans Frank Clark Humphrey Okan Errol McLean
The Gass was a
rock band[1] formed in May 1965 by
Robert Tench, Godfrey McLean, and Errol McLean. They were managed by Rik Gunnell[2] and Active Management. The band fused
melodies with soul, Latin influences, blues and
progressive rock often employing complex rhythms[3] with an eclectic mix of other influences.[4]
History
1960s-1969
After forming in the early 1960 as The Senators then becoming the Creators[5][6] they became known as The Gass in 1965 with the original line up of
Bobby Tench on bass guitar (credited as Robert Tench), percussionist Errol McLean, his brother drummer and vocalist Godfrey McLean,[5] with the addition of saxophonist Humphrey Oka and guitarist Alan Roskams.[2] Tench soon became the band's vocalist and lead guitarist[7] and between 1965 and 1967 they released singles on the
Parlophone[8] and
CBS labels and as their music progressed the line up changed.[2] They also played at clubs and venues in the UK and at fashionable music venues in London's
Soho[9] such as The
Ad Lib club,[10]The Flamingo and the
Bag O'Nails. Eric Burdon sang with them at The
Scotch of St James where they were employed as the house band and Jimi Hendrix jammed with them.[7] During 1968 they were supporting bands such as
Led Zeppelin.[11] In 1969 they became the band for the rock musical
Catch My Soul-Rock Othello produced by
Jack Good[12] and their participation was billed as 'music interpreted by Gass'.[13]
1970-1971
By this period the band were known simply as Gass[14] and they released their first album
Juju (1970)[15] which featured guitarist
Peter Green.[2][16] In the same year Godfrey McLean appeared on
Peter Green's End of the Game (1970). Gass were also featured on the album
Catch My Soul (1971),[17] which was recorded with the original cast of the UK stage production of Catch My Soul-Rock Othello.[2]
In 1971 the band recorded the single "Something's Got To Change Your Ways" which was released the
Polydor label.[2] Pete Masden mentions in his book Funk guitar and Bass, that during this period Godfrey McLean and Tench performed at regular
jam sessions with other musicians at
Ronnie Scott's club. These sessions led to an embryonic line up for the fusion band
Gonzalez.[18]
Post disbanding
In May 1971 Tench joined
The Jeff Beck Group and Gass finally disbanded.[19] Godfrey McLean recorded with Brian Auger and The Oblivion Express.[20] Delisle Harper who was the band's bass player in a later lineup appeared with Tench on
Freddie King's Burglar (1974) also Larger than Life (1975).[21] and Roskams moved on to work with
Herbie Goins[22]
Juju featuring
Peter Green Polydor 2485 003 (1970). Re-released as Gass in the same year with the same personnel, track listing and catalogue number.[2]
"Something's Got To Change Your Ways"/"Mr. Banana" Polydor 2058 147 (1971)[2]
Notes
^Larkin, Colin. The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music. Guinness. p. 947.
^
abcdefghijklmnopqJoynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras. Borderline. p. 325.
^"New Vitality London Management Team". Billboard Vol. 83, No. 46. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 13 November 1971. p. 52.
^
abMove to Acton said agent. Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush Gazette and Post. 28 January 2009.
^Jones, Peter (28 January 2009). Names and faces. Record Mirror.
References
Celmins, Martin. Peter Green Founder of Fleetwood Mac, foreword by BB King. Sanctuary Publishing, (1998) 2nd edition.
ISBN1-86074-233-5
Hjort, Chris and Hinman, Doug. Jeff's book : A Chronology of Jeff Beck's Career 1965-1980 : from the Yardbirds to Jazz-Rock. Rock 'n' Roll Research Press, (2000).
ISBN0-9641005-3-3
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).
ISBN1-899855-15-7
Larkin, Colin. The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Guinness (1992). Item notes: v.2. Digitized (19 Jun 2007).
ISBN978-1-882267-02-6
Madsen, Pete. Funk Guitar and Bass: Know the Players, Play the Music. Backbeat (2007).
ISBN978-0-87930-894-0