Python Lee Jackson
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 in Sydney, Australia |
| Defunct | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
Python Lee Jackson was an Australian rock ensemble active between 1965 and 1968, with a short stint in the United Kingdom from late 1968 until mid-1969. They recorded the track "In a Broken Dream" in April 1969, featuring guest vocals by Rod Stewart, which was subsequently released as a single in October 1970. The band regrouped in 1972 and reissued the single in August, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100. They dissolved again later that year. Early vocalist Mal McGee (active 1966–68) passed away on 17 May 2012.
1965–1968: Australian era
Established in Sydney during December 1965 by UK-born musicians Frank Kennington and Mick Lieber (born 1 March 1944, Peebles, Scotland) along with Melbourne native drummer David Montgomery (born September 1945, previously with Jeff St John & the Id), Python Lee Jackson initially performed within Sydney’s underground music scene with Roy James handling bass duties. Kennington was deported early in 1966; Bob Brady temporarily took over before Lieber and Montgomery reassembled the group.
In March 1966, keyboardist and vocalist Dave Bentley (born 1943, Brisbane) joined, accompanied by former Unit 4 bassist Lloyd Hardy, also known as "Cadillac" Lloyd Hudson. By June, Malcolm McGee (1 November 1945–17 May 2012), formerly of the Wild Cherries, became part of the lineup as lead singer. The band inaugurated Rhubarb's club on Liverpool Street in Sydney. McGee characterized Python Lee Jackson as "the ultimate name," highlighting their contemporary style combined with a Chicago blues influence.
Bentley departed in September 1966 and was succeeded by pianist Bob Welsh. The group’s debut single, "Emergency Ward," backed with a rendition of Bo Diddley’s "Who Do You Love?," was released around this time; some accounts attribute it to Ward Austin featuring Python Lee Jackson. Their follow-up single was a cover of Major Lance’s "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um," paired with "Big City Lights," issued in December.
Late that year saw Hardy briefly replaced for three weeks by Duncan McGuire (ex-Doug Parkinson's the Questions), who appeared on their interpretation of Sam and Dave’s "Hold On, I’m Coming." Hardy returned for their first performance in Melbourne at the Catcher nightclub in March 1967. In April, Dave MacTaggart from Adelaide’s Black Pearls took over bass duties from Hardy. The band appeared on Opus TV in June alongside prominent Australian acts.
Their last Australian single, "It's a Wonder," backed with "I Keep Forgetting," came out in August before Welsh exited and saxophonist Bernie McGann joined. Lieber soon left to collaborate with Billy Thorpe and Gulliver Smith's Noyes; he was replaced by Laurie Arthur from The Strangers. Python Lee Jackson continued playing Melbourne venues until their breakup in January 1968.
Following the disbandment, McGee joined vocal trio the Virgil Brothers and scored an Australian hit with "Temptation 'Bout to Get Me" before departing after their relocation to the UK in late 1969. He later teamed up with McGuire in Rush (not to be confused with the Canadian band). MacTaggart briefly reunited with Lieber in Billy Thorpe's group. Montgomery linked up again with Bentley in the David Bentley Trio.
1968–1972: British period
Python Lee Jackson reassembled in the United Kingdom in October 1968, featuring Bentley, Lieber, Montgomery, and John Helman, who had previously been part of Levi Smith Clefs and Jeff St John and the Id. Their performances took place at venues such as the Vesuvio club on Tottenham Court Road and the Arts Lab on Drury Lane, where they caught the attention of DJ John Peel. In April 1969, Jamie Byrne joined the lineup, and the group recorded three tracks that included guest vocals by Rod Stewart, who was compensated with car seat covers. Stewart's singing replaced Bentley's on these recordings, while backing vocals were contributed by Sue & Sunny. The track "In a Broken Dream" was produced by Peel. Two additional songs, "Doin' Fine" and "The Blues," were not released until 1970 when Miki Dallon acquired the master tapes and issued them through his Youngblood label.
Although initially overlooked, "In a Broken Dream" was reissued in August 1972 to leverage Stewart's solo hit "You Wear It Well." This release climbed to number three on the UK Singles Chart, reached position 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and attained number 74 in Canada.
Following their collaboration with Stewart, the band sporadically performed live shows, including a June 1969 appearance at the Bottleneck Club in Stratford, East London. The group then entered a hiatus from 1969 until 1972 while members engaged in separate endeavors.
In 1972, Bentley, Lieber, and Montgomery recorded fresh material alongside Gary Boyle (guitar) and Tony Cahill (bass), formerly of The Easybeats. These new tracks were combined with earlier Stewart recordings to form their sole album, In a Broken Dream. The title track achieved widespread acclaim across Europe, featured in films such as Breaking the Waves, and inspired numerous cover versions. Rod Stewart included it in two compilations of his early work, and in 1996 the English rock band Thunder revitalized it with an energetic rendition that re-entered the UK charts.
1973-present: Post break up
British vocalist Kathryn Williams recorded a cover of the song for her 2004 album Relations.
In 2009, Half a Cow issued Sweet Consolation, a 24-track anthology encompassing the band's output. Designed as a comprehensive collection, it notably omits "In a Broken Dream" due to licensing restrictions. Shortly before disbanding, Chris Belshaw replaced Tony Cahill on bass.
After the group disbanded, Montgomery briefly joined American band King Harvest as their drummer. On the day of Brian Jones's death, Montgomery had planned to meet with Jones to discuss potential collaboration.
Studio albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| In a Broken Dream |
|
Compilation albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Piano Players Ball |
|
| Sweet Consolation 1966-73 |
|
Extended plays
| Title | EP information |
|---|---|
| Python Lee Jackson Sings |
|
Singles
| Year | Song title | Highest chart position |
Associated EP/Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1966 | "Emergency Ward" | - | — |
| "Um, Um, Um" | - | Python Lee Jackson Sings | |
| "Your Mother Should Have Warned You" | - | ||
| 1970 | "In a Broken Dream" | 84 | In a Broken Dream |
| 1972 | "Cloud Nine" | - |
Members
- David Montgomery – drums (1965–1968, 1968–1969, 1972)
- Mick Lieber – guitar (1965–1967, 1968–1969, 1972)
- Roy James – bass guitar (1965–1966)
- Frank Kennington – lead vocals (1965–1966)
- Bob Brady – lead vocals (1966)
- Lloyd Hardy (also known as "Cadillac" Lloyd Hudson, Virgil East) – bass (1966, 1967)
- David Bentley – keyboards and vocals (1966, 1968–1969, 1972)
- Malcolm McGee – lead vocals (1966–1968)
- Bob Welsh – keyboards (1966–1967)
- Duncan McGuire – bass guitar (1966–1967)
- Dave MacTaggart – bass guitar (1967–1968)
- Bernie McGann – saxophone (1967–1968)
- Laurie Arthur – guitar (1967–1968)
- John Helman – bass guitar (1968–1969)
- Jamie Byrne – bass guitar (1969)
- Gary Boyle – guitar (1972)
- Tony Cahill – bass guitar (1972)
- Chris Belshaw – bass guitar (1972)