Band of Joy

Band of Joy

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1966 in West Bromwich, England
Defunct	1968, 1983, 2011
Fate	Disbanded multiple times; reformed several times
Headquarters	West Bromwich , England
Area served	United Kingdom, North America, Europe
Key people	Robert Plant, John Bonham, Kevyn Gammond, Paul Lockey
Products	Albums: Band of Joy (1978), 24k (1983), Band of Joy (2010)

Band of Joy—also known at times as Robert Plant and the Band of Joy—was a British rock ensemble established in 1966. Different formations of the group were active between 1966 and 1968, and again from 1977 until 1983. Fronted by Robert Plant, the band name was revived in 2010 for tours across North America and Europe.

This band is historically significant for including musicians such as Robert Plant and John Bonham, who subsequently became members of Led Zeppelin, as well as Dave Pegg, who went on to join Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull. Furthermore, their former road crew member was Noddy Holder, who later gained fame as the lead singer of Slade.

1966–1968

Originating in 1966 in West Bromwich, near Birmingham, England, Band of Joy was founded by Chris Brown (keyboards), Vernon Pereira (guitar), and vocalist Robert Plant. A notable lineup from 1967 to mid-1968 featured Plant alongside his friend John Bonham, guitarist Kevyn Gammond, and bassist Paul Lockey. Their blend of soul and blues resonated with Birmingham's mod scene. Although they produced demo recordings in early 1968, the group dissolved in May after failing to secure a recording contract.

Dave Pegg briefly took on lead guitar duties; he later became affiliated with Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull. While Pegg participated in rehearsals, he did not join the band on tour.

For a tour in Scotland during 1968, Plant and Bonham brought in bassist John Hill (formerly of Uncle Joseph) and guitarist Mick Strode to form a temporary lineup.

1977–1983

In 1977, Kevyn Gammond and Paul Lockey revived the Band of Joy name, incorporating John Pasternak, Peter Robinson, and keyboardist Michael Chetwood into the roster. Gammond, Lockey, Pasternak, and Robinson had all previously performed together in the band Bronco. The two albums produced by this incarnation established the band's signature sound—a fusion of progressive rock melodies, blues elements, punk energy, and classic rock influences. After releasing a second album in 1983, this version of the band disbanded.

Kevyn Gammond later joined forces with Plant again in the group known as Priory of Brion.

2010–2011

Robert Plant reassembled Band of Joy in 2010 to create a new album and embark on a tour under the billing Robert Plant & the Band of Joy. Their album Band of Joy achieved critical acclaim, reaching number eight on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the top 30 albums for that year.

In October 2010, the band collaborated with the London Oriana Choir for a performance at London's Roundhouse as part of the BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms.

Discography

• Band of Joy (1978)
• 24k (1983)
• Sixty Six to Timbuktu (2003) – A Robert Plant compilation featuring covers of Band of Joy tracks such as "Hey Joe" and "For What It's Worth"
• Band of Joy (2010)

Members

• Robert Plant – lead vocals (1966, 1967–1968, 2010–2011)
• Chris Brown – keyboards (1966, 1967–1968)
• Vernon Pereira – guitar (1966)
• John Bonham – drums (1967–1968; deceased 1980)
• Paul Lockey – bass, guitar, vocals (1967–1968, 1977–1983)
• Kevyn Gammond – guitar, vocals (1967–1968, 1977–1983)
• Dave Pegg – guitar (1968)
• John Hill – bass (1968)
• John Kelsey – keyboards (1968)

• Mick Strode – guitar (1968)
• Michael Chetwood – keyboards, vocals (1977–1983)
• John Pasternak – bass, vocals (1977–1983; deceased 1986)
• Peter Robinson – drums (1977–1983)
• Marco Giovino – drums, percussion, vocals (2010–2011)
• Patty Griffin – vocals, guitar (2010–2011)
• Byron House – bass (2010–2011)
• Buddy Miller – guitar, vocals (2010–2011)
• Darrell Scott – vocals, mandolin, guitar, accordion, pedals, lap steel guitar, banjo (2010–2011)

Lineups

1966	1966–1967	1967–1968	1968
Robert Plant – vocals Chris Brown – keyboards Vernon Pereira – guitar	Disbanded	Robert Plant – vocals Chris Brown – keyboards John Bonham – drums Kevyn Gammond – guitar, vocals Paul Lockey – bass, guitar, vocals	Robert Plant – vocals Chris Brown – keyboards John Bonham – drums Paul Lockey – bass, guitar, vocals Dave Pegg – guitar
1968	1968–1977	1977–1983	1983–2010
Robert Plant – vocals John Bonham – drums John Hill – bass John Kelsey – keyboards Mick Strode – guitar	Disbanded	Kevyn Gammond – lead guitar, backing and lead vocals Paul Lockey – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Michael Chetwood – keyboards, backing vocals John Pasternak – bass, backing vocals Francesco Nizza – drums	Disbanded
2010–2011
Robert Plant – vocals Marco Giovino – drums, percussion, vocals Patty Griffin – vocals, guitar Byron House – bass Buddy Miller – guitar, vocals Darrell Scott – vocals, mandolin, guitar, accordion, pedals, lap steel guitar, banjo

See also

• British rock music
• United Kingdom music

Further reading

• Hornby, Laurie. Brum Rocked On! (Solihull: TGM Limited, 2003)
• Band of Joy interview – Achilles Last Stand (1992)
• Yorke, Ritchie. Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography (London: Virgin, 1993)