Black Cat Bones
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | Paul Tiller, Paul Kossoff, Derek Brooks, Stuart Brooks, Terry Sims |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music albums |
Black Cat Bones was a British heavy blues rock ensemble active between 1966 and 1970, which eventually transformed into Leaf Hound.
The group included English artists Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke, who went on to establish Free in 1968 alongside Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser; Kirke and Rodgers subsequently created the renowned British rock supergroup Bad Company in 1974. Guitarist Rod Price, who appeared on their only album, Barbed Wire Sandwich (1970), later joined Foghat. Additional members pursued careers with bands such as Shagrat, Atomic Rooster, Cactus, and Fleetwood Mac.
History
Originating in London in 1966, Black Cat Bones initially comprised Paul Tiller (vocals, harmonica), Paul Kossoff (lead guitar), siblings Derek Brooks (rhythm guitar) and Stuart Brooks (bass), along with Terry Sims (drums). The band's name was inspired by a Hoodoo charm linked to blues traditions. Early changes in personnel saw Terry Sims replaced first by Frank Perry and then by drummer Simon Kirke in early 1968. The band maintained a steady presence on the London pub scene. Vocalist Brian Short succeeded Paul Tiller later on. Under the guidance of producer Mike Vernon from Blue Horizon Records, Kossoff, Kirke, and Stuart Brooks supported blues pianist Champion Jack Dupree on his 1968 album When You Feel the Feeling You Was Feeling and participated in the associated UK tour. Shortly thereafter, Kossoff and Kirke exited the group.
Guitarist Rod Price and drummer Phil Lenoir joined forces with Short and the Brooks brothers to produce Barbed Wire Sandwich, the sole album by Black Cat Bones. This record was created at Tangerine and Decca Studios and released in February 1970 through Decca’s Nova label, which specialized in progressive rock. Due to its limited critical acclaim, Short, Price, and Lenoir departed, bringing the band to an effective close.
Brian Short released a solo project titled Anything for a Laugh in 1971, which also did not achieve commercial success. Derek and Stuart Brooks enlisted vocalist Pete French and guitarist Mick Halls from the Brunning Sunflower Blues Band; together with drummer Keith George Young, they established the hard rock outfit Leaf Hound in 1970. That same year, Lenoir became part of Steve Peregrin Took’s group Shagrat. Rod Price assumed the role of guitarist for Foghat starting December 1970. Pete French subsequently joined Atomic Rooster before moving on to Cactus, while Mick Halls stayed active within the British blues scene prior to relocating to California. Additionally, Bob Weston, who would later join Fleetwood Mac, was briefly involved with Black Cat Bones.
Discography
- Barbed Wire Sandwich (1970)