Pretty Things

Pretty Things

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	September 1963 (1963-09)
Headquarters	Sidcup, Kent , England
Products	Studio albums, EPs, singles

Pretty Things originated as an English rock group in September 1963, based in Sidcup, Kent. Their name was inspired by Bo Diddley's 1955 track "Pretty Thing". Initially active until 1971, they released five studio albums, including their debut The Pretty Things and the groundbreaking rock opera S. F. Sorrow. Their body of work also encompasses four EPs and 15 singles that charted in the UK, with notable hits like "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Honey I Need" reaching the Top 20. After disbanding, they reunited in 1971 and produced three additional studio albums through 1976, then reassembled once more from 1979 until 2020, during which they released five further albums, concluding with Bare as Bone, Bright as Blood.

The ensemble was established by vocalist Phil May, who remained a core member until his passing in 2020, alongside guitarist Dick Taylor, who exited before the initial era concluded but rejoined for the third phase. Founding members also included bassist John Stax, guitarist Brian Pendleton, and drummer Pete Kitley—who was replaced by Viv Prince prior to recording sessions. Across all three periods, key contributors included guitarist Peter Tolson, keyboardist Jon Povey, and drummer Skip Alan; bassist Wally Waller participated during the first and third intervals.

Beyond their album releases, Pretty Things created stock music for film soundtracks under the alias Electric Banana. During the 1990s, they also collaborated with other groups such as the Yardbird Blues Band and Pretty Things 'N Mates.

1962–1964: Formation

Pretty Things emerged from the band Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys, which featured Dick Taylor, Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger. When Brian Jones formed the Rolling Stones in June 1962, Taylor moved to bass but left five months later to pursue studies at the Central School of Art and Design. Phil May, another art student, convinced Taylor to form a new band. Taylor resumed his role as guitarist while May took on vocals and harmonica. They enlisted John Stax on bass and harmonica, Brian Pendleton on rhythm guitar, and drummer Pete Kitley—who was soon replaced by Viv Andrews (also known as Viv Broughton).

Bryan Morrison, a fellow art student, became their manager and founded the Bryan Morrison Agency, which later represented artists like Pink Floyd. Collaborating with songwriter Jimmy Duncan, Morrison secured a deal with Fontana Records in early 1964. Andrews was succeeded by Viv Prince, a seasoned drummer formerly with Carter-Lewis and the Southerners.

1964–1966: Early career

Between 1964 and 1965, Pretty Things released three singles that charted in the UK: "Rosalyn" reached No. 41, "Don't Bring Me Down" climbed to No. 10, and "Honey I Need" hit No. 13. Although they did not achieve chart success in the US, they gained popularity in markets including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the Netherlands. Their rebellious image and Phil May's claim of having Britain's longest hair drew public attention; however, drummer Prince's erratic conduct often caused disruptions.

Management prioritized touring in the Southern Hemisphere during mid-1965 rather than focusing on US promotion. Their contentious performances in New Zealand led to parliamentary discussions regarding musicians' entry permits but ultimately did not result in any bans.

Lineup changes began when Prince was dismissed in November 1965 due to his unruly behavior and replaced by Skip Alan. In early 1966, they produced The Pretty Things on Film, showcasing live performances and an early music video for "Can't Stand the Pain," which featured their manager Morrison. As rhythm and blues waned in popularity that year, they transitioned toward soul influences. Their final UK chart appearance came with a cover of the Kinks' "A House in the Country." The December release "Progress" incorporated a brass section.

Pendleton departed in December 1966 and was succeeded by Billy Harrison from Them. Following Stax's exit in January 1967, Jon Povey and Wally Waller joined from Bern Elliott and the Fenmen, restoring the group to five members.

1967–1971: S. F. Sorrow and Parachute

The band's final release under Fontana Records fulfilled contractual terms and was produced by Steve Rowland. It stirred controversy due to Reg Tilsley's extensive brass and string orchestrations on Emotions. In September 1967, EMI producer Norman Smith secured Pretty Things a contract with EMI's Columbia label. By November, the psychedelic track "Defecting Grey" was issued as a single but failed to chart, followed soon after by the double A-side "Talking About the Good Times" / "Walking Through My Dreams."

These recording sessions culminated in the December 1968 release of S. F. Sorrow, recognized as the pioneering rock opera predating the Who's Tommy. The album was created at Abbey Road Studios, alongside works by Pink Floyd and the Beatles, yet it achieved only modest commercial traction and received limited backing from EMI. Drummer Skip Alan departed in March 1968, with Twink stepping in to complete the album.

In March 1969, Motown executive Barney Ales visited London with intentions to sign Pretty Things as Motown’s inaugural British group. Despite this, S. F. Sorrow did not see an immediate release in the United States; its eventual US debut on Motown's Rare Earth label came over a year later, reducing its influence and positioning it as following rather than leading the rock opera movement.

Frustrated by disappointing sales, Taylor exited the band in June 1969 and was succeeded by guitarist Victor Unitt from the Edgar Broughton Band. That summer, they recorded an album for French millionaire Philippe DeBarge, initially kept private but later bootlegged and officially issued in 2010 with an added bonus track featuring the classic lineup.

Late in 1969, Twink left to establish the Pink Fairies, prompting Skip Alan’s return on drums for sessions on Parachute, which maintained their psychedelic direction. Prior to its release, Unitt departed and was replaced by Pete Tolson from Eire Apparent. Although critically well-received and supported by extensive touring, commercial success remained limited. With Tolson, two singles were released before the band dissolved in mid-1971.

During this era, the group supplemented their income by producing music for the library company DeWolfe. These tracks were featured in low-budget films such as What's Good for the Goose (1969), The Haunted House of Horror (1969), and Dawn of the Dead (1978). Released under the pseudonym Electric Banana, these recordings were compiled into multiple albums between 1967 and 1978, often without revealing the band's true identity.

1970s

At the end of 1971, Pretty Things reassembled with Stuart Brooks (formerly of Black Cat Bones) replacing Wally Waller, who had become an EMI assistant producer. The band signed with Warner Bros. Records and released Freeway Madness in 1972. Although no longer a performing member, Waller produced the album under a pseudonym and contributed lead vocals on "Over the Moon." The record failed to achieve commercial success.

In 1973, David Bowie recorded covers of their tracks "Rosalyn" and "Don't Bring Me Down" for his album Pin Ups. Around this time, Pretty Things added Gordon John Edwards (born 1946), a multi-instrumentalist who played guitar and keyboards while also providing vocals.

By 1974, Pretty Things became among the first artists signed to Swan Song Records, Led Zeppelin's label managed by Peter Grant. Prior to recording their Swan Song debut Silk Torpedo, Stuart Brooks departed. Guitarist Pete Tolson handled bass duties during recording until new bassist Jack Green joined, contributing only backing vocals.

Silk Torpedo was notable as Swan Song’s inaugural British release and marked Pretty Things’ initial appearance within the lower tiers of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. During this phase, Jimmy Page commended the band's evolving sound and songwriting craft:

While working on Savage Eye, internal conflicts intensified between original member May and newer members Edwards and Green over creative direction and credit allocation. Following its release, May missed a significant London performance and was subsequently dismissed. Alan, Edwards, Green, and Tolson attempted to launch a new project called Metropolis; however, Swan Song declined to sign them. Edwards briefly toured with the Kinks during their Misfits period; Green had a short stint with Rainbow before embarking on a solo path.

1980s

In 1978, the 1967 ensemble consisting of Alan, May, Povey, Taylor, and Waller reunited for a singular performance in the Netherlands. With the addition of Pete Tolson, the sextet produced the album Cross Talk under Warner Bros. Records in 1980. However, their shift towards a new wave sound did not translate into commercial success, leading to Pretty Things disbanding once more in 1981 following their appearance in the horror movie The Monster Club.

Throughout the decade, May and Taylor sustained the band's activity by collaborating with various musicians, extensively touring across continental Europe—particularly in Germany, where they enjoyed a devoted following. In 1987, they released Out of the Island, a live-in-studio album comprising fresh renditions from their repertoire and marking their debut CD release. A notable European blues tour took place in late 1990 alongside Stan Webb's Chicken Shack and Luther Allison, featuring drummer Hans Waterman (formerly of Dutch rock band Solution), bassist Roelf ter Velt, and guitarist/keyboardist Barkley McKay (associated with Waco Brothers, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Jon Langford, and the Mekons). This lineup continued to tour Europe regularly until late 1994.

1990s

During the early 1990s, May and Taylor joined forces with ex-Yardbirds drummer Jim McCarty to record two albums in Chicago, released as Pretty Things/Yardbird Blues Band: The Chicago Blues Tapes 1991 and Wine, Women, Whiskey, both produced by George Paulus. They also created an album under Pretty Things n' Mates with members of the Inmates and Matthew Fisher from Procol Harum, which came out in 1994 as A Whiter Shade of Dirty Water (later reissued as Rockin' the Garage).

A significant legal dispute arose in the early 1990s against EMI concerning unpaid royalties tied to a 1968 contract with Motown's Rare Earth subsidiary. The band had not received any royalty payments for years from either Rare Earth or EMI. The case was resolved in their favor in 1993, resulting in EMI returning all master recordings, copyrights, and an undisclosed financial settlement. Alan Lakey’s biography Growing Old Disgracefully provides an in-depth account of this conflict. Subsequently, on friendly terms again, the 1967 lineup reunited with Pete Tolson—who had replaced Taylor in 1970—as featured on Cross Talk. After thorough rehearsals, Tolson departed and was succeeded by Frank Holland.

Snapper Music issued remastered CDs enhanced with bonus tracks and released a DVD capturing a live September 1998 netcast re-recording of S. F. Sorrow at Abbey Road Studios, which included guest performances by David Gilmour and Arthur Brown. The band also embarked on their first U.S. tour in many years.

2000s to present

Original rhythm guitarist Brian Pendleton passed away from lung cancer on 16 May 2001 in Maidstone. Gordon John Edwards, a former guitarist and keyboardist who also played with the Kinks during the late 1970s, died in 2003.

In 1999, Pretty Things released the studio album Rage Before Beauty, followed by multiple compilation albums, a live recording, and a DVD during the early 2000s. Alan Lakey’s 2003 biography Growing Old Disgracefully chronicles the band’s extensive history and their legal battles with EMI during the previous decade.

Drummer Skip Alan encountered heart problems in 2001 that limited his participation; Mark St. John (Anthony Ibbotsen) stepped in when necessary. The band’s eleventh studio album Balboa Island was released in 2007 via Zoho Roots. Managerial disagreements led to Waller and Povey departing, prompting a new formation centered around May and Taylor with Frank Holland (guitar), Jack Greenwood (drums), and George Woosey (bass).

In June 2009, May, Taylor, Waller, Povey, and Alan reunited to accept the "Heroes" accolade at the Mojo Awards. In 2010, Waller, Povey, Alan, and Tolson regrouped as 'The XPTs' to re-record Parachute, which was issued by Esoteric Recordings in 2012. Pete Tolson died in April 2016.

On 30 April 2012, Fruits de Mer Records released Sorrow's Children, a vinyl-only tribute album featuring contemporary artists covering tracks from S. F. Sorrow. The release included an interview with May and Taylor along with a live recording from a London concert held in 2010.

That same year saw the band's return to New Zealand for the first time since their contentious visit in 1965; they also toured Australia and reunited with original bassist John Stax for performances in Melbourne—the first occasion since 1967 that May, Taylor, and Stax played together.

In 2013, Pretty Things marked their half-century milestone with a UK and European anniversary tour. Their studio album The Sweet Pretty Things (Are in Bed Now, of Course...), released on 10 July 2015, was the first to feature touring members Greenwood and Woosey.

The group announced their retirement in 2018 alongside a farewell tour throughout that year. The final lineup—May, Taylor, Woosey, Holland, and Greenwood—recorded a live session at Maida Vale Studios for BBC Radio 6 Music’s Marc Riley show.

Phil May passed away at age 75 on 15 May 2020 due to complications following hip surgery.

On 22 May 2020, two tracks from an upcoming acoustic-based album recorded by May, Taylor, and Mark St. John prior to May's death were released. The album titled Bare as Bone, Bright as Blood was officially launched in September 2020.

Jon Povey died aged 80 on 9 May 2023. Mark St. John passed away after a prolonged illness on 17 May 2025. Viv Prince died at age 84 on 11 September 2025.

Musical style

Drawing inspiration from Bo Diddley, Pretty Things played a significant role in the London blues rock movement, merging elements of beat, R&B, rock and roll, and garage rock genres. Between 1967 and 1975, their sound evolved towards progressive rock and psychedelia. Scholars Paul Hegarty and Martin Halliwell have identified Pretty Things as pivotal figures in the early progression of prog rock. According to PopMatters, following the release of their album S. F. Sorrow, the band predominantly embraced prog and hard rock styles. Additionally, they have been linked with the yacht rock genre.

Members

• Phil May – lead vocals, maracas, harmonica (1963–1971, 1971–1976, 1978–2020; deceased)
• Dick Taylor – lead guitar, occasional vocals (1963–1969, 1978–2020)
• John Stax – bass guitar, harmonica, backing vocals (1963–1967)
• Brian Pendleton – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, bass (1963–1966; deceased 2001)
• Pete Kitley – drums (1963–1964)
• Viv Andrews – drums (1964)
• Viv Prince – drums (1964–1965; deceased 2025)
• Skip Alan – drums (1965–1968, 1969–1971, 1971–1976, 1978–1981, 1994–2007)
• Jon Povey – keyboards, vocals (1967–1971, 1971–1976, 1978–1981, 1994–2007; deceased 2023)
• Wally Waller – bass, guitar, vocals (1967–1971, 1978–1981, 1994–2007)
• Twink – drums (1968–1969)
• Victor Unitt – guitar (1969–1970)
• Pete Tolson – guitar (1970–1971, 1971–1976, 1978–1981; deceased 2016)
• Stuart Brooks – bass (1971–1973)
• Gordon John Edwards – guitars, keyboards, bass, vocals (1973–1976; deceased 2003)
• Jack Green – bass, guitar, vocals (1974–1976; deceased 2024)
• Simon Fox – drums (1981; deceased 2024)
• Joe Shaw – guitar (1984, 1987)
• Dave Wintour – bass (1984; deceased 2022)
• Dave Wilki – keyboards (1984)
• Simon Thomas – drums (1987)
• John Clark – drums (1984)
• Kevin Flanagan – saxophone (1984)
• Perry Margouleff – guitar (1986–1987)
• Roelf Ter Veld – bass (1986–1987)
• Doede Ter Veld – drums (1986–1987)
• Bertram Engel – drums (1987, 1993–1995)
• Frank Holland – guitar, vocals, harmonica (1988–1991, 1994–2018)
• Mark St. John – drums, percussion (1988–1991, 1993–1994, 2020; live performances 2001–2007; deceased 2025)
• Steve Browning – bass (1988–1991, 1993–1994)
• Hans Waterman – drums (1989–1990, 1990–1994)
• Barkley McKay – guitar (1990–1994)
• Jon Langford – guitar (1991–1993)
• Jack Greenwood – drums (2007–2018)
• George Woosey – bass, vocals (2007–2018)

Studio albums

• The Pretty Things (1965)
• Get the Picture? (1965)
• Emotions (1967)
• S. F. Sorrow (1968)
• Parachute (1970)
• Freeway Madness (1972)
• Silk Torpedo (1974)
• Savage Eye (1976)
• Cross Talk (1980)
• Out of the Island (1987)
• ... Rage Before Beauty (1999)
• Balboa Island (2007)
• The Sweet Pretty Things (Are in Bed Now, of Course...) (2015)
• Bare as Bone, Bright as Blood (2020)

External links

• Official website of The Pretty Things
• The Pretty Things at Shoreditch Music Agency

Growing Old Disgracefully - Alan Lakey