Medicine Head
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Medicine Head was a British blues rock ensemble active throughout the 1970s, originally formed as a duo. Their most successful single, 1973's "One and One Is One", climbed to number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. Over their career, they produced six original albums, with their initial three released under John Peel's Dandelion label.
Main personnel
The principal members were:
- John Fiddler (born 25 September 1947, Moxley, Staffordshire) – vocals, guitar, piano, drums
- Peter Hope-Evans (born 28 September 1947, Brecon, Wales) – harmonica, Jew's harp, guitar, mouthbow
Additional contributors included Laurence Archer, Clive Edwards, Keith Relf, Tony Ashton, Roger Saunders, George Ford, John Davies, Rob Townsend, and Morgan Fisher.
Career
Fiddler and Hope-Evans first connected at Wednesfield Grammar School and later Stafford Art School before performing blues and rock in Birmingham pubs around 1968. Discovered by DJ John Peel, they secured a contract with Dandelion Records. Their debut single "His Guiding Hand" was praised by Peel as "one of the classic records of all time." The duo recorded their first album, New Bottles Old Medicine, in just two hours. Their second album, Heavy on the Drum, produced by ex-Yardbirds member Keith Relf, featured the single "(And The) Pictures in the Sky", which reached number 22 on the UK charts—the first hit for Dandelion Records.
During a brief hiatus by Hope-Evans, Fiddler recorded the third album Dark Side of the Moon alongside Relf and John Davies. Released in 1972—preceding Pink Floyd’s identically titled album—it did not achieve commercial success.
After signing with Polydor Records, Hope-Evans rejoined for One & One Is One, produced by Tony Ashton with session musicians. The title track became their highest-charting single at UK #3, followed by "Rising Sun" which reached UK #11. Their subsequent album Thru' A Five included regular contributions from Rob Townsend, Roger Saunders, and George Ford and featured "Slip and Slide", which peaked at UK #22 in 1974. Despite consistent touring efforts, Medicine Head never charted an album in the UK. Their final release Two Man Band, recorded again as a duo at Pete Townshend's Eel Pie Studios, marked the group's conclusion in 1977.
After disbanding, Angel Air released a compilation titled Don't Stop The Dance in 2005 containing previously unreleased tracks from their WWA label period. Cherry Red Records reissued their debut album in 2007 and issued a best-of collection in 2009. Fiddler pursued solo ventures but revived Medicine Head for the 2011 album Fiddlersophical.
Post break-up careers
Following the group’s breakup, both members continued their involvement in the music industry.
John Fiddler became part of British Lions and Box of Frogs, while also releasing solo albums including 1995’s Return of the Buffalo. He has intermittently revived Medicine Head for tours and new recordings with collaborators such as Laurence Archer and Mark Luckhurst. In 2020, Fiddler relaunched Medicine Head to release the albums Warriors of Love (2021) and Heartwork (2024).
Peter Hope-Evans contributed to various albums notably with Pete Townshend and performed in groups like The Dance Band which released Fancy Footwork in 1980. More recently he has collaborated with singer-songwriter Noah Francis.
Studio Albums
- New Bottles, Old Medicine (1970)
- Heavy on the Drum (1971)
- Dark Side of the Moon (1972)
- One & One Is One (1973)
- Thru a Five (1974)
- Medicine Head (1976)
- Two Man Band (1976)
- Live at the Marquee (2001)
- Don't Stop the Dance (2005)
- Only the Roses (2005)
- BBC Radio Sessions: 1971–1977 (2010)
- Fiddlersophical (2011)
- Warriors Of Love (2021)
- Heartwork (2024)
Singles
- "His Guiding Hand" (1969)
- "Coast to Coast (And Shore to Shore)" (1970)
- "(And The) Pictures in the Sky" (1971) – reached number 22 on the UK charts
- "How Does It Feel"/"Morning Light" (1972)
- "Only to Do What Is True" (1972)
- "Kum On"/"On the Land" (1972)
- "One and One Is One" (1973) – peaked at number 3 in the UK
- "Rising Sun" (1973) – attained number 11 on UK charts
- "Slip and Slide" (1974) – reached number 22 in the UK
- "Mama Come Out" (1974)
- "(It's Got to Be) Alright" (1974)
- "It's Natural" (1976)
- "Me and Suzie Hit the Floor" (1976)
See also
- Harvest Records discography
- List of Peel sessions
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
- List of British blues musicians