Steampacket
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Long John Baldry |
| Defunct | 1966 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Key people | Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger, Vic Briggs, Richard Brown, Micky Waller |
| Products | Live performances, demo recordings |
Steampacket—occasionally referred to as Steam Packet—was a British blues ensemble established in 1965 by Long John Baldry, featuring prominent members such as Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll, and organist Brian Auger.
History
Following the dissolution of his earlier band, the Hoochie Coochie Men, Long John Baldry formed Steampacket in 1965 as a musical revue. The group’s roster comprised Rod Stewart, who had previously collaborated with Baldry, vocalist Julie Driscoll, organ player Brian Auger, guitarist Vic Briggs, bassist Richard Brown (also known as Ricky Fenson), and drummer Micky Waller. Their management was handled by Giorgio Gomelsky, notable for his involvement with the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds.
Steampacket toured extensively, performing at clubs, theatres, and university unions throughout the UK. They notably served as the opening act for the Rolling Stones during their 1965 British tour. Despite their live presence, the band never produced an official studio or concert album due to contractual constraints. Nevertheless, rehearsal demo recordings made at the Marquee Club were released in 1970 by the French label BYG under the title Rock Generation: Volume 6 - The Steampacket (Or the First Supergroup). These recordings were subsequently reissued under various names including First of the Supergroups: Early Days and The First Supergroup: Steampacket Featuring Rod Stewart, leveraging Stewart’s subsequent fame.
Aftermath
Early in 1966, Rod Stewart departed from the group, and a few months afterward, Long John Baldry also exited, resulting in Steampacket’s breakup. Baldry went on to join Bluesology, which included a then-unknown Elton John on keyboards, before pursuing a solo career that yielded a UK number one single in 1967 with "Let the Heartaches Begin". Meanwhile, Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger, and Vic Briggs formed the band Brian Auger and the Trinity. Briggs left this group in 1966 to become a member of Eric Burdon and The Animals. In 1968, Julie Driscoll and The Trinity achieved chart success in the UK with "This Wheel's on Fire". Following Steampacket, Rod Stewart advanced his career by joining the Jeff Beck Group, then Faces, before establishing himself as a solo artist. Contrary to popular misconception, neither Peter Green nor Mick Fleetwood played with Steampacket; instead, they performed with Shotgun Express, a band that also included Stewart.
Lineup
- Long John Baldry – lead vocals
- Rod Stewart – lead vocals
- Julie Driscoll – lead vocals
- Brian Auger – organ
- Vic Briggs – guitar
- Richard Brown (Ricky Fenson) – bass guitar
- Micky Waller – drums