Fat Mattress
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 in Folkestone, England |
| Founder | Noel Redding, Neil Landon |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Folkestone , England |
| Products | Studio albums: Fat Mattress, Fat Mattress II |
Fat Mattress was a British rock ensemble originating from Folkestone in 1968, founded by guitarist and vocalist Noel Redding while he was still the bassist for The Jimi Hendrix Experience, together with singer Neil Landon. The group also featured multi-instrumentalist Jim Leverton, drummer Eric Dillon, and keyboard player Mick Weaver. They produced two studio albums – Fat Mattress and Fat Mattress II – before disbanding in 1970.
History
Established in late 1968, Fat Mattress united Redding (Folkestone), Leverton (Dover), Landon (Sussex), and Dillon (Swindon). Leverton brought in Dillon, who had previously played with Engelbert Humperdinck’s backing group. The band’s purpose was to highlight Redding’s guitar playing and vocal capabilities outside his role in the Jimi Hendrix Experience. For a short period, Martin Barre was part of the lineup before departing to join Jethro Tull.
The band initially gained prominence by supporting the Jimi Hendrix Experience on a U.S. tour, with Redding performing in both bands. Vocal responsibilities were distributed among Landon, Redding, and Leverton, creating intricate harmonies.
Under contract with Polydor Records, their first album released in 1969 saw moderate success; notably, "Magic Forest" became popular in the Netherlands. That August, they appeared at the Isle of Wight Festival before an audience of around 120,000, sharing the stage with renowned artists such as Bob Dylan & The Band and The Who.
On 27 September 1969, Fat Mattress performed on the German television program Beat-Club, showcasing "Naturally," "Mr. Moonshine," and "Magic Forest." In February 1970, they headlined a Roundhouse concert that supported David Bowie’s newly formed band The Hype—an event later recognized by the BBC as influential in the rise of glam rock.
A significant U.S. tour was planned but ended prematurely after only five shows. While recording Fat Mattress II, internal disagreements resulted in Redding leaving the group; Steve Hammond took over guitar duties, and Mick Weaver joined on keyboards to free Leverton to concentrate on bass and vocals. The sophomore album did not achieve commercial success, and the band ultimately dissolved during sessions for a third record.
Band members
- Neil Landon – vocals (1968–1970; deceased 2020)
- Jim Leverton – bass guitar, vocals, harpsichord, organ (1968–1970)
- Eric Dillon – drums and percussion (1968–1970)
- Noel Redding – guitar and vocals (1968–1970; deceased 2003)
- Steve Hammond – guitar (1970; deceased 1994)
- Mick Weaver – keyboards (1970)
Studio albums
- Fat Mattress (1969) U.S. chart peak No. 134
- Fat Mattress II (1970)
Compilation albums
Singles
- From Fat Mattress:
- "Magic Forest"/"Petrol Pump Assistant" (1969)
- From Fat Mattress II:
- "Naturally"/"Iridescent Butterfly" (1969)
- "Highway"/"Black Sheep of the Family" (1970)
- Non-album singles:
- "Magic Lanterns"/"Bright New Way" (1970)