801 (band)

801
Company type	Supergroup
Industry	Music
Founded	1976
Headquarters	London, England
Products	Music albums and live performances

801 was a London-based English experimental rock supergroup established in 1976 by Phil Manzanera (guitarist, formerly of Roxy Music and Quiet Sun), Brian Eno (keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, vocals, ex-Roxy Music), Bill MacCormick (bass and vocals, previously with Quiet Sun and Matching Mole), Francis Monkman (Fender Rhodes piano and clavinet, ex-Curved Air), Simon Phillips (drummer, later associated with Judas Priest, Mike Oldfield, and Toto), and Lloyd Watson (slide guitar and vocals).

History

Formed during a break in Roxy Music’s activity in 1976, 801 was conceived as a short-term ensemble that rehearsed at Island Studios in Hammersmith. The group’s name was inspired by the refrain "We are the 801" from Brian Eno’s 1974 solo album Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), specifically the track "The True Wheel."

801 delivered three highly praised live performances: one in Norfolk, another at the Reading Festival, and a concluding show on 3 September at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The final concert was captured and issued as the live record 801 Live. Their repertoire included rearranged pieces from Manzanera’s, Eno’s, and Quiet Sun’s catalogs, alongside inventive interpretations of Lennon-McCartney’s "Tomorrow Never Knows" and The Kinks’ "You Really Got Me."

Although emerging during the rise of punk rock in the UK and not achieving immediate commercial success, 801 Live eventually attained cult status worldwide thanks to exceptional musicianship and groundbreaking audio fidelity. Unlike most live albums of that time—which often suffered from distortion and lack of clarity due to reliance on amplifier microphones—801 Live utilized direct injection (DI) methods by routing vocal mics and instrument outputs straight to the mobile studio mixing console. This approach significantly elevated live recording standards.

The album found remarkable success in Australia, becoming the top-selling import record of 1976 despite initially lacking commercial radio exposure or official local release. Its popularity led to domestic distribution following extensive promotion by ABC’s continuous rock station Double Jay.

Riding this wave of acclaim, in 1977 a reconfigured lineup under the name "Phil Manzanera/801" produced the studio album Listen Now, featuring contributors such as Tim Finn from Split Enz but without Lloyd Watson.

Later that year, 801 embarked on a tour supporting Listen Now, with a performance at Manchester University eventually released in 1997 as 801 Manchester.

Members

Phil Manzanera – lead guitar (1976–77)
Bill MacCormick – bass guitar, lead vocals (1976–77)
Brian Eno – keyboards, lead vocals, occasional guitar (1976)
Lloyd Watson – slide guitar, lead vocals (1976; passed away 2019)
Simon Phillips – drums, percussion (1976)
Francis Monkman – piano (1976; passed away 2023)
Paul Thompson – drums (1977)
Dave Skinner – keyboards (1977)
Simon Ainley – guitar, vocals (1977)

Studio album

Listen Now (1977) – AUS #91

Live albums

801 Live (1976) – AUS #28
801 Manchester (1997; recorded 1977)
801 Latino (2001; recorded 1999)
Live at Hull (2001; recorded 1977)

External links

History

Members

Studio album

Live albums

See also

External links