If (band)

If
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1969
Founder	Dave Quincy, Dick Morrissey, Terry Smith
Defunct	1975 (initial disbandment)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Area served	Europe, United States, Canada
Key people	Dave Quincy, Dick Morrissey, Terry Smith, J.W. Hodkinson, John Mealing, Jim Richardson, Dennis Elliott
Products	Studio albums, live albums, compilation albums

If was a British ensemble specializing in progressive rock and jazz rock, established in 1969. Over the span from 1970 to 1975, they produced eight studio albums and embarked on seventeen tours throughout Europe, the United States, and Canada. Praised by George Knemeyer in a Billboard critique as "undeniably the finest among the so-called jazz-rock groups," If secured a prominent position within the jazz-rock genre.

History

The group originated in 1969 through the collaboration of Dave Quincy, Dick Morrissey, and Terry Smith, with management and production handled by Lew Futterman. They were signed by Chris Blackwell to Island Records in the UK and Capitol Records in the US. Their debut album, If (1970), achieved chart success on both sides of the Atlantic. The subsequent release, If 2, followed in 1971. Early touring highlights included appearances at major events such as the Newport Jazz Festival and performances at renowned venues like the Fillmore East. They also shared concert bills with notable bands including Rory Gallagher, Rush, Kiss, and The Eagles.

The albums If 3 (1971) and If 4 (titled Waterfall in the US) (1972) were promoted through extensive tours across Europe and America, complemented by significant television performances on BBC's Top of the Pops and Germany's Beat-Club. A 1972 tour in the US was prematurely ended due to Morrissey's hospitalization, during which time band members engaged in side projects.

The founding lineup emphasized a strong jazz influence, featuring Morrissey on tenor saxophone and flute, Smith on guitar, Quincy handling alto and tenor saxophones, along with J.W. Hodkinson as lead vocalist, John Mealing on keyboards, Jim Richardson on bass, and Dennis Elliott on drums. This septet was responsible for recording their first four studio albums plus a live record.

After Morrissey's health setback, members went separate ways: Hodkinson joined Darryl Way's Wolf; Smith and Quincy established ZZebra; Mealing became part of Passport and later joined Strawbs; Richardson pursued session work; Elliott became a member of Foreigner.

A later formation incorporated Fiachra Trench and Dave Greenslade on keyboards, with Dave Wintour briefly playing bass before collaborating with Roger Daltrey on his solo efforts.

The band's sixth studio effort, Double Diamond (1973), featured Morrissey as the only original member alongside newcomers such as Steve Rosenthal (guitar/vocals) and Cliff Davies (drums). This album was recorded at The Manor Studio, following the commercial success of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells.

Their concluding albums under Capitol Records—Not Just Another Bunch of Pretty Faces and Tea Break Over, Back on Your 'Eads (both released in 1974)—demonstrated a transition toward a more rock-driven style. This lineup introduced Geoff Whitehorn (guitar/vocals), Gabriel Magno (keyboards), Walt Monaghan (bass/vocals), alongside Davies and Morrissey. Additionally, the band revamped their logo from lowercase "if" to a striking uppercase "IF".

Disbanding occurred in 1975, after which members pursued diverse musical paths: Morrissey collaborated with the Average White Band, worked with Herbie Mann, and co-founded Morrissey–Mullen; Whitehorn joined Crawler before moving to Procol Harum. Several musicians also contributed to Ted Nugent’s projects during this timeframe.

Interest was revived following reissues of their early records, prompting Quincy and Smith to resurrect If in 2015 with an updated roster. The band subsequently released If 5 in 2016.

Their latest offering is the 2022 two-disc compilation IF live at the BBC, issued by Repertoire Records UK LTD. This collection includes John Peel sessions, appearances on Dave Lee Travis’s show, recordings from Sounds of the 70's, as well as a live concert from July 1972.

Band members

1969	J. W. Hodkinson – lead vocals, percussion Dick Morrissey – saxophones, flute Dave Quincy – saxophones, flute Terry Smith – guitar Lionel Grigson – keyboards, backing vocals Daryl Runswick – bass Spike Wells – drums
1969–72	J. W. Hodkinson – lead vocals, percussion Dick Morrissey – saxophones, flute Dave Quincy – saxophones, flute Terry Smith – guitar John Mealing – piano, backing vocals, organ Jim Richardson – bass Dennis Elliott – drums
1972–73	J. W. Hodkinson – lead vocals, percussion Dick Morrissey – saxophones, backing vocals, flute Dave Quincy – saxophones, flute Terry Smith – guitar John Mealing – piano, organ Jim Richardson – bass Dennis Elliott – drums Dave Wintour – electric and acoustic guitar, backing vocals, bass Dave Greenslade – keyboards Cliff Davies – drums
1973–74	Dick Morrissey – saxophones, lead and backing vocals, flute Cliff Davies – drums, backing vocals Steve Rosenthal – guitar, lead and backing vocals Pete Arnesen – piano, backing vocals, organ, synthesizers Fi Trench – piano, backing vocals Kurt Palomacki – bass, backing vocals
1974–75	Dick Morrissey – saxophones, flute Cliff Davies – drums, synthesizer, vocals Geoff Whitehorn – guitars, vocals Gabriel Magno – piano, organ Walt Monaghan – bass, vocals
2015–16	Dave Quincy – saxophone Terry Smith – guitar Dave Browne – vocals Guy Gardner – keyboards Ben Taylor – bass Rod Brown – drums

Studio albums

If (Island Records, 1970) US chart position No. 187
If 2 (Island Records, 1971) US chart position No. 203
If 3 (United Artists, 1971) US chart position No. 171
If 4 (United Artists, 1972)
Waterfall (Metromedia, 1972) US chart position No. 195
Double Diamond (Metromedia, 1973)
Not Just Another Bunch of Pretty Faces (Gull Records, 1974)
Tea Break Over–Back on Your 'Eads! (Gull Records, 1975)
If 5 (Repertoire Records, 2016)

EPs

A Little Taste of If (Capitol Records, 1974) — sampler featuring tracks from Not Just Another Bunch of Pretty Faces

Compilation albums

Forgotten Roads (Sequel Records, 1995)
Europe '72 (Repertoire Records, 1997)

Live albums

Fibonacci's Number: More Live (Repertoire Records, 2010)
IF Live at the BBC (Repertoire Records UK Limited, 2022)

External links