Ariel (Australian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Mike Rudd, Bill Putt |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, singles |
Ariel was an Australian progressive rock ensemble established in 1973 by Mike Rudd and Bill Putt following the dissolution of their former band Spectrum. The founding members comprised Rudd (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Putt (bass), Tim Gaze (guitar), John Mills (keyboards), and Nigel Macara (drums), with Gaze and Macara joining from Tamam Shud. From 1973 until 1977, Ariel produced three studio albums alongside two live recordings while experiencing multiple personnel shifts; Rudd and Putt remained the group's enduring core. Additional musicians included guitarists Harvey James and Glyn Mason, as well as keyboardist Tony Slavich.
1973-1975: A Strange Fantastic Dream & Rock'n Roll Scars
Their first album, A Strange Fantastic Dream, came out in 1974 under EMI in Australia and Harvest in the UK, reaching number 17 on Australian charts. Produced by Peter Dawkins, it featured their highest-charting single, "Jamaican Farewell," which climbed to number 34 despite limited radio exposure, especially in Sydney. The album’s psychedelic artwork and three tracks were banned by the Australian FACB radio authority, restricting its airplay. Regardless, it garnered critical acclaim, earning commendations from EMI International's Allan Davies and UK DJ John Peel. When remastered and reissued in 2002, The Sydney Morning Herald praised it as "extraordinary."
Following the departure of Gaze and Macara in early 1974, Rudd and Putt began working on a sci-fi themed concept album titled The Jellabad Mutant, bringing in drummer John Lee and guitarist Harvey James for rehearsals. Although they completed a full demo, EMI declined to approve the project. While EMI UK arranged sessions at Abbey Road Studios, Ariel was compelled to revise material from their Spectrum days alongside fresh compositions for their sophomore album. Released in March 1975, Rock & Roll Scars, produced again by Dawkins and mixed by Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, is now considered one of the finest Australian records of that period despite its commercial failure. Production suffered due to EMI’s reduced budget.
Rudd later expressed disappointment for not pushing harder to realize The Jellabad Mutant, believing it had significant promise if better supported.
In early 1975, Ariel expanded to a quintet with the addition of singer-guitarist Glyn Mason (formerly of Chain and Jeff St John & Copperwine). This formation performed for several months but only issued one single; unofficial live recordings from this era exist. During this time, Rudd introduced Dawkins to New Zealand’s Dragon, who subsequently signed with CBS Records and achieved multiple hits in the late 1970s under Dawkins’ production.
1976-1980: Goodnight Fiona and disbandment
After completing their contract with EMI, Ariel transitioned to CBS Records for their third album, Goodnight Fiona, released in September 1976. Later that year, Harvey James departed to join prominent Australian pop band Sherbet, where he replaced founding guitarist Clive Shakespeare. James’ debut with Sherbet was on their Australian number one and UK Top 5 single "Howzat." Tony Slavich succeeded him in Ariel as keyboardist.
Drummer Nigel Macara exited again in October 1976 and was replaced by Iain McLennan, formerly of the Richard Clapton Band. The group released the single "Disco Dilemma" in April 1977 shortly before their CBS contract ended. Subsequently signing with independent label Image Records, they issued "It's Only Love," featuring lead vocals from songwriter Glyn Mason.
Ariel officially dissolved in July 1977. Their farewell show called "Island Fantasy" occurred on 21 August 1977 at Melbourne’s Dallas Brooks Hall. This concert was recorded and later released as two albums: Ariel Aloha (November 1977) and Live - More from Before (1978), which were reissued together in 1980 under the title Ariel Live In Concert.
Band members
- Mike Rudd − guitar, harmonica, lead and backing vocals (1973−August 1977, formerly of Spectrum)
- Tim Gaze − guitar, lead and backing vocals (1973−April 1974, previously with Kahvas Jute, Tamam Shud)
- Harvey James − guitar, backing vocals (August 1974−March 1976)
- Glyn Mason − guitar, lead and backing vocals (January 1975−August 1977, ex-Chain, Jeff St John & Copperwine, Home)
- John Mills − keyboards (1973−April 1974, formerly of Spectrum)
- Tony Slavich − keyboards, backing vocals (1976−August 1977, ex-Richard Clapton Band)
- Bill Putt − bass guitar (1973−August 1977, previously with Spectrum)
- Nigel Macara − drums, backing vocals (1973−April 1974, April–October 1976, ex-Tamam Shud)
- John Lee − drums, backing vocals (April 1974−April 1976)
- Iain McLennan − drums, backing vocals (October 1976−August 1977, formerly of Richard Clapton Band)
Studio albums
| Album | Release information | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| A Strange Fantastic Dream |
|
17 |
| Rock & Roll Scars |
|
50 |
| Goodnight Fiona |
|
36 |
Live albums
| Album | Release details | Peak chart position |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| Aloha Ariel |
|
35 |
| Live! More from Before |
|
— |
Singles
| Year | Single title | Highest chart position |
Album association |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | "Jamaican Farewell" / "Red Hot Momma" | 66 | A Strange Fantastic Dream |
| 1974 | "Yeah Tonight" / "(I Am the) Laughing Man" | — | Rock and Roll Scars |
| 1975 | "Keep On Dancing" / "I'll Be Gone" | — | |
| "I'll Be Going" / "Rock and Roll Scars" | — | ||
| "I'll Take You High" / "I Can't Say What I Mean" | 62 | ||
| 1976 | "I Can Do Anything" / "Cypherland Blues" | 92 | Goodnight Fiona |
| 1977 | "Disco Dilemma" / "How Do You Do It?" | 82 | Aloha |
| "It's Only Love" / "It's Time we Said Our Goodbyes" | 62 | Ariel Live!! - More from Before |