Onyx (Cornish band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 in Wadebridge, Cornwall, England |
| Headquarters | Wadebridge , England |
| Products | Psychedelic rock music, singles, demo recordings |
Onyx or The Onyx was a psychedelic rock group that originated in Wadebridge, Cornwall, England, in 1965. The band evolved from Rick & The Hayseeds and initially performed under the name The Onyx Set, inspired by an Onyx ring belonging to founding member Mike Black-Borow. Following changes in personnel, the definitive lineup featured guitarist Al Hodge (previously with The Buccaneers and The Fabulous Jaguars), lead singer Tony Priest, bassist Dick Bland, keyboardist Steve Cotton, and drummer Roger Dell.
Shifting their style from beat covers to psychedelic music, they gained recognition for their complex five-part vocal harmonies. During the late 1960s, they became a well-known live act mainly in Bristol and South Wales, undertaking tours across the UK and Germany. Their numerous sessions for BBC Radio One led to them becoming one of the station’s most frequently broadcast bands and helped them secure considerable radio play throughout Europe.
Their discography includes seven singles, one of which was released under the alias Salamander to enhance sales by distancing from their BBC Radio One association. Most A-side tracks were penned by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett, while B-sides were composed by members of the band. Additionally, they wrote "Climb That Tree" (recorded by The She Trinity) and "I'm Going Down," performed by Mike Raynor & Sky.
In late 1970, Al Hodge departed prior to the release of "Our House" and was succeeded by Bernie Lee from Paper Blitz Tissue and Orange Bicycle. After issuing a final single titled "The Next Stop Is Mine," the group rebranded as Vineyard under the direction of Jerry Lordan, releasing two singles through Decca and Deram labels. Drummer Roger Dell was replaced by Herman Rarebell, who later joined Scorpions. Although they recorded material intended for an album, disappointing sales resulted in unreleased tracks and their eventual dissolution in 1975.
Following the breakup, Dick Bland collaborated with artists such as Joe Brown, Shakin' Stevens, and Cliff Richard. The Onyx’s work appeared on Bam Caruso's Rubble compilation series during the early 1980s among other collections. In 2009, Wooden Hill issued Kaleidoscope of Colours - The Onyx Demo Sessions 1967, which showcased previously unheard studio demos.
Discography
- "You've Gotta Be with Me" / "It's All Put On" (Pye 7N 17477) 1968
- "My Son John" / "Step by Step" (Pye 7N 17622) 1968
- "Tamaris Khan" / "So Sad Inside" (Pye 7N 17668) 1968
- "Time Off" / "Movin' In" (CBS 4635) 1969
- "Crystal Ball" / "Billy" (CBS 5102) 1970 (issued as Salamander)
- "Our House" / "Air" (Parlophone R 5888) 1971
- "The Next Stop Is Mine" / "What's That You Say" (Parlophone R 5906) 1971
Unreleased demo recordings
- Kaleidoscope of Colours - The Onyx Demo Sessions 1967 (Wooden Hill WH 027CD) 2009
As Vineyard
- "Ghost Train (Here It Come Again)" / "Unicorns and Minotaurs" (Decca F 13518) 1974
- "Charlemaine" / "Myla" (Deram DM 420) 1974