Mythology (band)
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Defunct | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Carlisle , England |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Mythology was a blues rock ensemble originating from Carlisle, Cumbria, England. Established in early 1967 as a continuation of The Square Chex, the group featured future Black Sabbath pioneers Tony Iommi and Bill Ward.
History
The founding lineup consisted of bassist Neil Marshall (1944–2020), vocalist Mike Gillen, lead guitarist Frank Kenyon (born 1945), and drummer Terry Sims. The band developed out of The Square Chex, which began in 1965, undergoing several personnel shifts before adopting the Mythology name in early 1967. After a short European tour, Gillen departed in December 1967 and was succeeded by Rob, a singer from Newcastle; Kenyon exited soon thereafter. In January 1968, Tony Iommi and Chris Smith—both previously associated with The Rest—joined as lead guitarist and vocalist respectively. February 1968 saw Bill Ward replace Sims on drums, making his first appearance on the 17th at the Globe Hotel in Cockermouth.
During early 1968, Mythology opened for bands such as The Move and Gary Walker and the Rain. Although achieving some local acclaim, their progress was hindered when all four members were apprehended and fined £15 for possession of cannabis resin on 27 May 1968. This incident led to fewer performance opportunities, culminating in their dissolution following a final concert at the Queen's Hotel in Silloth on 13 July 1968. This event was captured by local DJ Keith Jefferson and remains the sole surviving live recording of Mythology, featuring nine songs including "Spoonful," "Dust My Blues," "Steppin Out," and "Morning Dew."
Following the split, Ward and Iommi joined forces with Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler to establish the Polka Tulk Blues Band, which was later renamed Earth before ultimately becoming known as Black Sabbath.
Discography
- 1968: Mythology – Queens Hotel, Silloth U.K. 13 July 1968 – Showcasing Tony Iommi (guitar) and Bill Ward (drums) prior to their Black Sabbath tenure.
References
- Mythology Discography: https://www.discogs.com/fr/Mythology-Queens-Hotel-Silloth-UK-13071968/release/8712425