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Spooky Tooth

From Alfawiki
Spooky Tooth
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1967 in Carlisle, England
Headquarters
Carlisle
,
England
ProductsRock music albums and singles
Websitewww.spookytooth.sk

Spooky Tooth was a British rock group established in Carlisle in 1967, with their main period of activity spanning from 1967 to 1974, followed by multiple reunions in later years.

History

Out of the five original members, four had previously been part of Art (formerly known as the V.I.P.'s). When Art disbanded, guitarist Luther Grosvenor, vocalist Mike Harrison, drummer Mike Kellie, and bassist Greg Ridley joined forces with American keyboardist and singer Gary Wright in October 1967 to create Spooky Tooth. Wright’s involvement came through an introduction by Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, a label recognized for supporting progressive rock and roots genres.

Their first album, It's All About (released June 1968), was produced by Jimmy Miller—known for his work with the Spencer Davis Group, Motörhead, and the Rolling Stones—and issued under Island Records. The follow-up record, Spooky Two (March 1969), also produced by Miller, received critical acclaim but achieved modest commercial success. This album included their acclaimed renditions of Larry Weiss’s "Evil Woman" and "Better by You, Better than Me," the latter later covered by Judas Priest.

In 1969, Ridley departed to join Humble Pie and was succeeded by Andy Leigh for the album Ceremony (December 1969). This avant-garde project, created in collaboration with French composer Pierre Henry, garnered mixed reactions and, according to Wright, adversely affected the band's trajectory due to its stark departure from their earlier style. Following this release, Wright exited the group.

The remaining trio—Harrison, Grosvenor, and Kellie—recorded The Last Puff (July 1970) alongside members of Joe Cocker's Grease Band. They then embarked on a European tour featuring keyboardist John Hawken and bassist Steve Thompson before ultimately dissolving.

In September 1972, Harrison and Wright reunited Spooky Tooth with a refreshed lineup. Their comeback album You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw (May 1973) introduced Mick Jones on guitar in place of Grosvenor, Bryson Graham on drums replacing Kellie, and bassists Ian Herbert followed by Chris Stewart. For the subsequent album Witness (November 1973), Kellie returned behind the drum kit. During this era, Wright took the lead on songwriting duties.

After Harrison left following Witness, Mike Patto joined as co-lead vocalist alongside Wright for The Mirror (October 1974), which also featured bassist Val Burke and drummer Bryson Graham. The album’s lack of commercial success led to Wright pursuing a solo career and the band’s final split in November 1974.

Known for their heavy sound characterized by intense vocals combined with commanding keyboards and guitars, Spooky Tooth struggled to achieve widespread commercial success despite their influence. Jon Milward of The Rolling Stone Record Guide described them as "the right band at the wrong time."

After Spooky Tooth

In 1976, Mick Jones went on to establish Foreigner.

Grosvenor became part of Stealers Wheel and later replaced Mick Ralphs in Mott the Hoople during the 1970s under the stage name Ariel Bender. He formed the Ariel Bender Band in 2005, performing sporadically, and toured with a reformed Mott the Hoople in 2018 and 2019.

Kellie joined the Only Ones towards the late 1970s, continuing with them into the 1980s; this band reunited in 2007.

Ridley played with Humble Pie until his death in 2003 at age 62.

Wright launched an international solo career throughout the 1970s, gaining recognition with hits like "Dream Weaver."

In 1997–98, Harrison, Grosvenor, Ridley, and Kellie reunited as Spooky Tooth and released Cross Purpose in 1999.

Harrison collaborated with the Hamburg Blues Band on their album Touch released in 2002.

In June 2004, Harrison, Wright, and Kellie reassembled Spooky Tooth for two concerts in Germany, which resulted in the DVD release Nomad Poets (2007).

Harrison unveiled his first solo album in over three decades titled Late Starter in 2006.

February 2008 saw Spooky Tooth touring Europe once again with Harrison, Wright, Kellie, guitarist Steve Farris (of Mr. Mister), and bassist Shem von Schroeck. This lineup—featuring drummer Tom Brechtlein replacing Kellie—performed at Island Records’ 50th Anniversary event in May 2009 followed by a German tour that June.

Mike Kellie began working on a solo project in 2012 but passed away on January 18, 2017 at age 69 after a brief illness. Mike Harrison died on March 25, 2018 at age 72.

Gary Wright passed away on September 4, 2023 at age 80 after suffering from Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

Media appearances

The group was featured in the 1970 film Groupies.

Members

  • Mike Harrison – lead vocals, keyboards (1967–1970, 1972–1974, 1998–1999, 2004, 2008–2009; passed away 2018)
  • Mike Kellie – drums (1967–1970, 1973–1974, 1998–1999, 2004, 2008–2009; deceased 2017)
  • Luther Grosvenor – guitar (1967–1970, 1998–1999)
  • Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals (1967–1970, 1972–1974, 2004, 2008–2009; died 2023)
  • Greg Ridley – bass guitar (1967–1969, 1998–1999; passed away 2003)
  • Andy Leigh – bass (1969–1970)
  • Henry McCullough – guitar (1970; deceased 2016)
  • Alan Spenner – bass (1970; died 1991)
  • Chris Stainton – keyboards, guitar, bass (1970)
  • John Hawken – keyboards (1970; passed away 2024)
  • Steve Thompson – bass (1970)
  • Mick Jones – guitar (1972–1974)
  • Ian Herbert – bass (1972–1973)
  • Bryson Graham – drums (1972–1973, 1974; died 1993)
  • Chris Stewart – bass (1973–1974; passed away 2020)
  • Val Burke – bass, vocals (1974)
  • Mike Patto – vocals, keyboards (1974; deceased 1979)
  • Joey Albrecht – guitar (2004)
  • Michael Becker – bass (2004)
  • Steve Farris – guitar (2008–2009)
  • Shem von Schroeck – bass (2008–2009)
  • Tom Brechtlein – drums (2009)

Band configurations

1967 – 1969 1969 – 1970 Early 1970 Late 1970
  • Luther Grosvenor – guitar
  • Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
  • Mike Kellie – drums
  • Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals
  • Andy Leigh – bass
  • Luther Grosvenor – guitar
  • Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
  • Mike Kellie – drums
  • John Hawken – keyboards
  • Steve Thompson – bass
Disbanded: 1970 – 1972 1972 – 1973 1973 – 1974 1974 line-up

Band inactive

  • Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
  • Bryson Graham – drums
  • Ian Herbert – bass
  • Mick Jones – guitar
  • Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals
  • Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
  • Mick Jones – guitar
  • Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals
  • Mike Kellie – drums
  • Chris Stewart – bass
  • Mick Jones – guitar
  • Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals
  • Val Burke – bass, vocals
  • Bryson Graham – drums
  • Mike Patto – vocals, keyboards
Disbanded: 1974 – 1998 Reunion: 1998 – 1999 Disbanded: 1999 – 2004 Reformation: 2004 line-up

Band inactive

  • Luther Grosvenor – guitar
  • Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
  • Mike Kellie – drums
  • Greg Ridley – bass

Band inactive

  • Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
  • Mike Kellie – drums
  • Joey Albrecht – guitar
  • Michael Becker – bass
  • Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals
Disbanded: 2004 – 2008 Active: 2008 – 2009 Final line-up: 2009 Post-2009 status

Band inactive

  • Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
  • Mike Kellie – drums
  • Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals
  • Steve Farris – guitar
  • Shem von Schroeck – bass
  • Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
  • Gary Wright – keyboards, vocals
  •   Steve Farris, guitar

   *Shem von Schroeck*, bass    Tom Brechtlein*, drums

Band inactive

Studio albums

Compilations, live albums, and other releases

  • Gary Wright & Spooky Tooth: That Was Only Yesterday (1973) – charted at No. 172 in the US
  • The Best of Spooky Tooth (Island Records, 1975)
  • The Best of Spooky Tooth: That Was Only Yesterday (1999)
  • Comic Violence (2000) – CD reissue version of The Mirror
  • BBC Sessions (2001)
  • Nomad Poets - Live in Germany CD/DVD (2007)
  • Lost in My Dream – An Anthology, 1968–1974 (2009)

Singles

  • "The Weight" (1968) – a cover originally by The Band
  • "Sunshine Help Me" (1968) – reached No. 126 on the US Cash Box chart
  • "Feelin' Bad" (1969) – appeared at No. 132 on the US Bubbling Under chart
  • "I Am the Walrus" (1970) – peaked at No. 38 in the Netherlands
  • "Fantasy Satisfier/The Hoofer" (1974) – released by UK Goodear Records EAR607A

External links

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