ASK FRED
Want to make a new regime or be enslaved by another man’s? ’Til then, get hip to Dellar’s space, sideman and Clem Burke disclosures.
Which ensemble first united black and white? Dellar has several answers.
Which US rock band first broke racial barriers to include both black and white musicians on a permanent basis. I can’t think of anything before Zappa’s Chunga’s Revenge ensemble… but that can’t possibly be right, could it? Guy Bahir, via e-mail.
Fred says: No, there were plenty of integrated rock bands prior to that. Some regard Sly And The Family Stone (1966) as the first major outfit to knit everything together, not only in terms of race but also of gender. Those who don’t consider Sly as purely rock might point in the direction of The Jimi Hendrix Experience (also 1966). Prior to that, Booker T. & The M.G.’s (1962) boasted a 50/50 split racially and there were others. Heading back into a pre-rock era, Jelly Roll Morton was one of the first black musicians to at least record with a white band, The New Orleans Rhythm Kings in 1922, though arguably the first real name unit with black and white musicians was the Benny Goodman Quartet of 1936, which featured black musicians Teddy Wilson (piano) and Lionel Hampton (drums), with the highly influential guitarist Charlie Christian joining later. Another breakthrough came when white drummer Louis Bellson joined the otherwise all-black Duke Ellington Orchestra (1952). Duke, who thought Bellson was the “greatest drummer in the world”, passed Louis off as Puerto Rican whenever the band headed South. Finally, the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, the ’40s all-female band whose line-up featured not only African-Americans and white musicians – who sometimes had to black-up while touring – but also Mexican, Indian, Chinese and Hawaiian instrumentalists. Catch them bebopping on YouTube. As ever, readers’ thoughts on the subject are welcomed.
WAS CLEM THE MOST EMPLOYED MUSICIAN?
Regarding the Who Played With Most Bands? question (MOJO 280). I have met a club-going woman of advanced age who brags about the number of acts she has upstaged with her dancing. But please consider the range and verve of drummer Clem Burke. His professional associations (in most cases, as an official band member in the studio AND on tour) include Blondie, The Romantics, Nancy Sinatra’s extraordinary 2002 band, Wanda Jackson, Chequered Past, Empty Hearts, Slinky Vagabond, Magic Christian, International Swingers, Split Squad, Empty Hearts, 69 Cats, Plimsouls, Dramarama, Adult Net and others. Many of those bands qualify as some sort of supergroup. There’s also work with The Ramones (enough that Burke was granted use of the surname), Pete Townshend, Hugh Cornwell, Eurythmics, The Go-Go’s’ Kathy Valentine, Little Steven, Bob Dylan… Christopher Arnott, Bethany, Connecticut, USA
My contender for “who has been in the most name bands” would be Tim
Renwick. Putting “sessions only” to one side, how about – Al Stewart, The Albion Band, Andy Gibb, David Bowie, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Iain Matthews, Jackie Lomax, Junior’s Eyes, Lazy Racer, Maggie Reilly, Mike & The Mechanics, Mike Oldfield, Paul Carrack, Pink Floyd, Procol Harum, Quiver, Roger Waters, Steve Nieve And The Playboys (Jonathan Ross’s house band), Sutherland Brothers & Quiver, not forgetting Tom Jones.
Bob Walker, via e-mail
Fred Says: This question resulted in a flood of e-mails. Readers Simon Mullins and Terry Rosen proffered listings on behalf of Eric