Galadriel (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Garry Adams, Doug Bligh |
| Defunct | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Progressive rock music |
Galadriel was a progressive rock ensemble from Australia, established in 1969 by Garry Adams (guitar, vocals) and Doug Bligh (drums), both ex-members of House of Bricks. The group also featured Gary Lothian on lead guitar, Mick Parker handling bass guitar and flute, and Jon "Spider" Scholtens as the lead vocalist. Australian music historian Ian McFarlane described their 1971 eponymous album as "among the rarest major label progressive rock releases of the early 1970s," showcasing a range from blues-infused hard rock to smooth jazz-inspired ballads. The band ceased activity in 1972. Their album saw a CD reissue in 1995 through Vicious Sloth Collectables.
History
Prior to forming Galadriel, Garry Adams and Doug Bligh performed with Sydney-based dance outfit House of Bricks alongside Daryl Braithwaite and Bruce Worrall. Mick Parker originated from Samael Lilith. After House of Bricks dissolved in 1969, Braithwaite and Worrall joined Samael Lilith before moving on to the pop band Sherbet. The final Galadriel lineup consisted of Adams, Bligh, Parker, Gary Lothian (formerly of Elliot Gordon Union), and Jon "Spider" Scholtens; songwriting was primarily handled by Adams and Scholtens.
The band took its name from the Elven figure in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Their initial single, "Girl of Seventeen," was launched through Du Monde in February 1971. Signed with Polydor Records, they released their self-titled debut album in May 1971 under the production of Tom Lubin. McFarlane highlighted the album’s blend of bluesy hard rock tracks like "Amble On" and "Girl of Seventeen," alongside jazz-tinged ballads such as "Standing in the Rain." The single "Standing in the Rain" followed concurrently with the album release.
Following Mick Parker's exit, Dave Allen (flute) and Bruce Belbin (bass guitar) joined the lineup. Although affiliated with Festival Records, Galadriel disbanded in 1972. Afterward, Adams and Bligh became part of Mario Millo's Clik; Bligh subsequently performed with the Richard Clapton Band, Ross Ryan Band, and Windchase (also featuring Millo). The band's album was reissued on compact disc by Vicious Sloth Collectables in 1995.
Members
- Garry Adams – guitar, vocals (1969–1972)
- Doug Bligh – drums (1969–1972)
- Gary Lothian – lead guitar (1969–1972)
- Mick Parker – bass guitar, flute (1969–1971)
- Jon "Spider" Scholtens – lead vocals (1969–1972)
- Dave Allen – flute (1971–1972)
- Bruce Belbin – bass guitar (1971–1972)
Albums
- Galadriel (May 1971) – Polydor (2907 001)
Singles
- "Girl of Seventeen" (1971) – Du Monde
- "Standing in the Rain" (1971) – Polydor