Fludd (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1960s |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Fludd was a Canadian rock ensemble predominantly active throughout the 1970s, securing six singles within the Canadian top 40 charts from 1971 to 1975. Notable tracks included "Turned 21" (1971), "Get Up, Get Out & Move On" (1971), "Cousin Mary" (1973), and "What An Animal" (1975). Members later participated in prominent Canadian groups such as Goddo and Saga.
Formation and debut album (1960s–1971)
Fludd emerged from The Pretty Ones, a band initiated by Ed Pilling and Greg Godovitz amid Toronto’s Yorkville music scene during the 1960s. Although The Pretty Ones disbanded before achieving commercial acclaim, the Pilling brothers moved to Birmingham, England, where they created Wages of Sin and toured with Cat Stevens in 1968. After Stevens fell ill, they returned to Toronto, regrouped with Godovitz, and incorporated drummer John Andersen and guitarist Mick Walsh to form Fludd.
Their first album, titled Fludd, was launched in 1971 and included the minor hit "Turned 21". Following Walsh’s exit, Mick Hopkins briefly joined prior to the release of their second single, "Get Up, Get Out, Move On" (1972), which also enjoyed moderate chart presence. Subsequently, Warner Records ended their contract. Hopkins returned to England and later established the band Quartz.
Rise to prominence (1972)
Rather than adding a new guitarist, Fludd opted for classically trained keyboardist Peter Csanky and signed with Daffodil Records. Their second album was initially titled Cock On, featuring a controversial cover; however, distributor Capitol Records rejected it, leading to its release under the name ...On!.
Singles such as "Always Be Thinking of You", "Yes", and "C'mon, C'mon" garnered some radio airplay but achieved limited chart success. Daffodil retained Fludd for a third album and sent them to record at Mike Oldfield’s studio in England. However, scheduling conflicts with Oldfield’s work on Tubular Bells delayed sessions that were ultimately abandoned. Csanky departed and was replaced by Canadian keyboardist Peter Rochon. Without fresh material ready, the label reissued ...On! and released "Cousin Mary," which became Fludd’s breakthrough single.
Further achievements and personnel shifts (1973–1974)
In 1973, Fludd recorded three tracks in Toronto: "I Held Out", "Brother and Me", and "Dance Gypsy Dance". The non-album single "I Held Out" failed to chart, resulting in Daffodil dropping the band. Godovitz left to form Goddo, with Doni Underhill from Leigh Ashford stepping in as his replacement. Brian Pilling was diagnosed with leukemia, restricting his involvement; Underhill’s bandmate Gord Waszek joined as an additional guitarist. Andersen temporarily exited the group, replaced by Pat Little, before returning for subsequent album sessions. During Little’s period with the band, Fludd performed four well-received shows at Toronto's Varsity Stadium.
Third album and decline (1975–1977)
Fludd signed with Attic Records, which released previously unissued tracks from the 1974 sessions; while "Brother and Me" reached the Top 30 charts, "Dance Gypsy Dance" did not chart. Their third album, Great Expectations, came out in 1975 featuring a contentious cover design and included the top-ten hit "What an Animal".
Owing to Brian Pilling’s worsening health condition, the band was unable to tour in support of this album. Waszek, Underhill, and Andersen departed to establish Fingers; meanwhile, the Pilling brothers continued recording alongside bassist Jim Crichton and drummer Ian McCorkle, releasing the single "I'm On My Way" in 1975. Steve Negus replaced McCorkle in 1976 for the singles "Help Me Back" and "With You". As Brian Pilling’s health further declined, Fludd disbanded following these releases. In 1977, Attic Records issued a greatest hits compilation titled From the Attic '71 to '77.
Following Fludd's Dissolution
After Fludd disbanded, Crichton, Negus, and Rochon went on to establish the band Saga.[1] Waszek participated in reunion performances with Leigh Ashford and Motherlode, Andersen pursued a career as a session musician, and Underhill became a member of Trooper.
Brian Pilling passed away from leukemia on June 28, 1978, at the age of 28.[2] To support his children financially, Godovitz organized a group of Toronto artists, including Bob Segarini, to produce a tribute single. This release featured "Fortune in Men's Eyes," an unreleased track co-written with Pilling, alongside a new version of Fludd's "Homemade Lady".[3]
In 1994, a compilation titled Greatest Expectations was issued by Pacemaker Records,[4] and in 2001, the album ...On! was re-released under its original name Cock On through Unidisc Music.[5]
In 1997, Godovitz reunited with Ed Pilling to record an album under the name No Flies on Frank, inspired by a short story written by John Lennon.[6]
Fludd Reformation During the 2000s
During the 2000s, Fludd reassembled to perform at classic rock festivals and various venues. The lineup included Ed Pilling, his brother Steve Pilling, Scott Shelson on bass guitar, and Jim Crichton. This incarnation released the CD Fludd Lights in 2006; however, it was only available for purchase at live shows and never saw commercial distribution.
In an interview conducted in January 2021, Ed Pilling disclosed that he was in the process of developing a new album.
Singles
| Title | Release | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | |||
| "Turned 21" | 1971 | 16 | Fludd |
| "Get Up, Get Out, & Move On" | 1972 | 34 | Non-LP, later on '71 To '77 - From The Attic |
| "Always Be Thinking of You" | 1972 | 39 | ...On! |
| "Yes!" | 1973 | 47 | ...On! |
| "C'mon C'mon" | 1973 | 57 | ...On! |
| "Cousin Mary" | 1973 | 17 | ...On! |
| "I Held Out" | 1974 | 94 | Great Expectations |
| "Brother & Me" | 1974 | 29 | Great Expectations |
| "Dance Gypsy Dance" | 1974 | 58 | Great Expectations |
| "What an Animal" | 1975 | 11 | Great Expectations |
| "I'm On My Way" | 1975 | 79 | Non-LP, later on '71 To '77 - From The Attic |
Albums
- Fludd (1971) reached #58 in Canada
- ...On! (1972) peaked at #61 in Canada
- Great Expectations (1975) attained #65 on Canadian charts
- From the Attic '71 to '77 (1977)
- Greatest Expectations (1994)
- Cock On! (2001)
- Fludd Lights (2006)
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcanoe - ↑ "In Memoriam, Brian Pilling". canadianbands.com. Canadian Bands. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- ↑ "GODDO "Fortune in mens eyes"". youtube.com. YouTube. 23 September 2007. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- ↑ "Fludd – Greatest Expectations: Best Of Fludd". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- ↑ "Fludd – Cock On!". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- ↑ "Stories and Poems from IN HIS OWN WRITE". Beatles Number 9. Retrieved 2021-10-03.