John Dummer Band
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | John Dummer |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Blues music, albums, singles |
The John Dummer Band, also recognized by various names including John Dummer's Blues Band, John Dummer's Famous Music Band, John Dummer's Oobleedooblee Band, and The John Dummer Band Featuring Nick Pickett, was a British blues ensemble active during the 1960s and 1970s. The group boasted an extensive lineup of distinguished musicians such as Graham Bond, Dave Kelly, Jo Ann Kelly, Tony McPhee, Bob Hall, John O'Leary, and Pick Withers. They notably supported leading American blues artists like Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker on their UK tours.
History
Anthony John Dummer, known professionally as John Dummer (born 19 November 1944 in Surbiton, Surrey), initiated his musical career by forming Lester Square and the G.T's in 1963 alongside Chris Trengove (alto saxophone/vocals) and Elton Dean (tenor saxophone). This group toured extensively across the UK and Germany for two years.
In 1965, Dummer established the John Dummer Blues Band. The initial formation consisted of Dummer (vocals, harmonica), Roger Pearce (guitar), Pete Moody (bass)—both formerly of London R&B outfit The Grebbels—accompanied by Bob Hall (piano) and Dave Bidwell (drums). After Moody’s departure, Tony Walker took over bass duties, with his sister Regine Walker joining as an additional vocalist. Guitarist Tony 'Top' Topham, known as the first guitarist for the Yardbirds, was also part of the lineup. The band secured a regular Sunday residency at London's Studio 51 Club, featuring Dummer on drums together with guitarists and vocalists Dave Kelly and Tony McPhee, bassist Iain "Thump" Thomson, and harmonica player John O'Leary. Vocalist Jo-Ann Kelly frequently guested with the group. Their reputation grew through performances supporting artists such as John Mayall, Keef Hartley, and Alexis Korner. Signed to Mercury Records, their debut album Cabal was released in 1969, showcasing contributions from the Kelly siblings and McPhee. Shortly thereafter, McPhee departed to reassemble The Groundhogs.
The follow-up album, titled The John Dummer Blues Band, featured a lineup of Dummer, Hall, Thomson, the Kelly siblings, and new lead guitarist Adrian "Putty" Pietryga from The Deep Blues Band. This ensemble embarked on extensive tours throughout Britain and Europe over a two-year period.
By the time their third release, John Dummer's Famous Music Band (1970), came out, Dave Kelly and Bob Hall had exited. Nick Pickett joined on guitar, violin, and vocals alongside Pietryga and Thomson, with additional support from Chris Trengove (alto sax) and Davey 'Crabsticks' Trotter on Mellotron.
After this album’s release, the band briefly dissolved but regrouped following the success of their instrumental track "Nine By Nine," led by Pickett’s violin work, which reached number one in France. In 1972, they issued Blue, credited to the John Dummer Band with cover art by Roger Dean. This record featured a more focused four-member blues-rock lineup: Dummer, Pickett, Pietryga, and Thomson. Their fifth album, Oobleedoobleejubilee (1973), released under the name John Dummer's Oobleedooblee Band, marked a stylistic shift toward country music and included contributions from the Kelly siblings along with Michael Evans (violin) and Roger Brown (vocals).
The final album recorded in 1973 included prominent artists such as Graham Bond on saxophone, Pick Withers on drums, Pete Emery on guitar, and Colin Earl (Foghat) handling keyboards. Although completed that year, this album was not released at the time; following the band's dissolution in 1974, it eventually surfaced posthumously in 2008 under the title Lost 1973 Album.
Dummer's Subsequent Career
Following his time as a performer, Dummer shifted focus to promotion management, dedicating three years to MCA Records, then spending a year at Elektra Records, before moving on to A&M Records. In 1977, he took on the role of drummer in Darts, joining forces with ex-members of the John Dummer Band, including "Thump" Thomson and guitarist George Currie. During this period, he composed tracks such as "Late Last Night," "How Many Nights," and "Can't Get Enough of Your Love," the latter reaching number 43 on the UK Singles Chart prior to his departure in 1980.
Afterwards, Dummer toured and recorded alongside blues musicians Lowell Fulson (on Think Twice Before You Speak) and Eddie C. Campbell (featured on The Baddest Cat on the Block), both releases under JSP Records. His subsequent band, True Life Confessions, included his wife Helen April, drummer Manic Esso from The Lurkers, bassist Harry Kakouli from Squeeze, guitarists Robin Bibi and Mark Nevin (who later joined Fairground Attraction), as well as two Afro-French vocalists. Although they issued several records through A&M, none achieved chart success. Additionally, Dummer and his wife performed as a duo; their rendition of "Blues Skies" attained number 54 on the UK Singles Chart, and they gained recognition for the song "Own Up If You're Over 25."
He later managed The Screaming Blue Messiahs for a span of three years before turning his attention to restoring properties in France and Portugal. Dummer assembled Screwy Truants with French artists, collaborated with guitarist Jean-Claude Manuel, and provided drums for blues vocalist Nico Toussaint. Now residing in Bordeaux, he continues to play drums with various ensembles while engaging in antiques trading, furniture restoration, and writing. His memoirs include Serge Bastarde Ate My Baguette: On the Road in the Real Rural France published in 2009, followed by Son of Serge Bastarde: Mayhem In The Antiques Markets of Rural France.
Albums
- Cabal (1969) Mercury (SMCL 20136) – reissued on CD (1996) See For Miles (SEECD 456)
- John Dummer Band (1969) Mercury (SMCL 20167) – CD re-release (2003) Sunrise (30809032)
- Famous Music Band (1970) Philips (6309 008) – CD version (2003) Sunrise (30809042)
- Nine By Nine (released as This Is in the US) (1972) Philips (6382 039) – CD edition (1995) Indigo (IGOCD 2021)
- Blue (1972) Vertigo (6360 055) – CD releases in 1994 by Repertoire (REP 4450-WP) and in 2003 by Sunrise (30809052)
- Oobleedooblee Jubilee (1973) Vertigo (6360 083) – CD reissue (2005) Walhalla (WH 90347)
- Try Me One More Time (1973) Philips (6382 040)
- Volume II (1973) Philips (6382 083)
- Lost 1973 Album (2008)
Singles
- "Travellin' Man" / "Forty Days" (1969) Mercury (MF 1040)
- "Try Me One More Time" / "Riding at Midnight" (1969) Mercury (MF 1119)
- "Nine By Nine" / "Going in the Out" (1970) Philips (600 6111)
- "Nine By Nine" / "Move Me, Don't Leave Me" (1971) Fontana (600 7027)
- "Medicine Weasel" / "The Endgame" (1971) Philips (606 176)
- "Oobleedooblee Jubilee" / "The Monkey Speaks His Mind" (1972) Vertigo (6059 074)