Humpy Bong
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 in London, England |
| Founder | Colin Petersen, Jonathan Kelly |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Folk rock music |
Humpy Bong was a folk rock ensemble from England, established in London in 1970 by ex-Bee Gees drummer Colin Petersen and Irish folk rock vocalist Jonathan Kelly.
Origins
In 1969, Colin Petersen, who had a background as a child actor and had drummed for the Bee Gees, encountered Jonathan Kelly performing at a London eatery. Impressed by Kelly’s abilities, Petersen took on the role of his record producer, while his wife Joanne oversaw Kelly’s career management. During this period, Kelly released singles such as "Denver" (1969) and the anti-war anthem "Make A Stranger Your Friend" (1970). The latter featured a distinguished chorus performed by a choir that included artists like Mick Taylor and Klaus Voormann. Although Robin Gibb was present at the recording session, contractual restrictions prevented him from contributing vocals. Another notable single from 1970, "Don't You Believe It," attracted attention partly due to slide guitar work by Eric Clapton.
By mid-1970, Petersen and Kelly formed the band Humpy Bong, a name inspired by an Australian school attended by Petersen and the Gibb brothers. To complete the lineup, they enlisted Tim Staffell, previously with Smile, who took on lead vocals, bass guitar, and harmonica duties. The trio promptly recorded and released the single "Don't You Be Too Long," backed with "We're All Right Till Then," both penned by Kelly. Staffell provided lead vocals for the single and made an appearance on Top of the Pops shortly after departing Smile. The A-side was later included on Kelly’s debut album Jonathan Kelly (November 1970), while the B-side appeared two years later on Twice Around The Houses (1972); these album versions differed from their single counterparts.
Live engagements
Colin Petersen remarked that live performances proved challenging for the group until they expanded their lineup with two additional musicians. He attributed difficulties to expectations linked to his Bee Gees history, stating he had auditioned over 200 candidates. While studio recordings could be achieved through double-tracking techniques, live shows and radio appearances posed significant obstacles.
During their second appearance on Top of the Pops, they performed "Don't You Believe It," originally a Jonathan Kelly solo track featuring Eric Clapton on lead guitar. With Clapton unavailable for the broadcast, Staffell took over guitar duties, recalling how demanding it was to replicate Clapton’s distinctive playing style. The band dissolved by late 1970 without having delivered any formal concerts. Staffell recalled an unstable roster with various musicians rotating through roles and emphasized that Humpy Bong never played an official gig, highlighting its lack of cohesion.
Ultimately, Humpy Bong functioned primarily as a platform for Colin and Joanne Petersen’s management and production efforts. They assembled the group with commercial ambitions in mind; however, their lively yet somewhat superficial honky-tonk pop sound failed to carve out a unique identity, resulting in the band's rapid disbandment.
Disbandment
Following Humpy Bong’s dissolution, Tim Staffell continued working alongside Jonathan Kelly before joining Morgan, a progressive rock band signed to RCA Italy in the early 1970s. He exited the music industry in the late 1970s to establish a successful career as an independent animator and model maker, contributing to projects such as Thomas the Tank Engine.
Colin and Joanne Petersen managed Jonathan Kelly during his third album release, Til They Change The Backdrop (1973), although Colin did not participate musically. Frustrated by industry pressures and being marketed as a pop artist, Kelly ended his association with the Petersens in 1974. He went on to release two additional albums before retiring from performing for an extended period after embracing religion. He made a brief return in 1991 to perform at a Bee Gees tribute concert with a cover band that included his son Greg.
After losing royalty entitlements due to legal disputes with the Bee Gees, Colin Petersen relocated back to Australia in 1974 and pursued painting as a profession based in Sydney.
Members
- Colin Petersen – drums, percussion, production, and management
- Jonathan Kelly – lead vocals, guitar, and songwriting
- Tim Staffell – vocals, bass guitar, and harmonica
Recordings
- 7" single featuring "Don't You Be Too Long" (written by Kelly) backed with "We're All Right Till Then" (also by Kelly) (Parlophone R 5859, released 21 August 1970). Production handled by Colin Petersen.
Performances for Top of the Pops were recorded for both "Don't You Be Too Long" and "Don't You Believe It," the latter being a solo release by Jonathan Kelly just prior to the formation of Humpy Bong. Both recordings are believed to have been lost.
External links
- Humpy Bong artist profile on Discogs