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The Alan Bown Set

From Alfawiki
The Alan Bown Set
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1964
FounderAlan Bown
Defunct1972
Headquarters
United Kingdom
ProductsMusic albums, singles

The Alan Bown Set, which later became known as The Alan Bown! and eventually just Alan Bown, was a British musical group active throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Their sound transitioned from jazz and blues roots through soul and rhythm and blues into psychedelia and progressive rock. Although their presence on the charts was modest, the band is recognized for launching the careers of notable artists including Mel Collins, John Helliwell, Robert Palmer, Jess Roden, and Dougie Thomson.

Origins

Alan Bown (full name Alan James Bown; born 21 July 1942 in Slough, Berkshire; passed away 16 December 2014 in Slough), originally a trumpet player, joined The Embers in 1963 after completing his service in the RAF. This ensemble performed a mix of jazz and American rhythm and blues, earning acclaim through live appearances at venues such as The Star-Club in Hamburg, where they shared stages with groups like The Beatles. After departing The Embers, Bown became a member of The John Barry Seven, supporting artists like Brenda Lee on tours and recordings until the group's disbandment in 1965. John Barry appointed Bown as leader of the touring ensemble to grant himself more time for composing.

Band Reformation

Around May 1965, Bown established The Alan Bown Set, recruiting three ex-members of The John Barry Seven—Jeff Bannister (lead vocals and organ), Dave Green (saxophone, clarinet, flute), and Stan Haldane (bass)—alongside Pete Burgess on guitar and Vic Sweeney on drums. Their repertoire centered on American R&B and soul, frequently performing alongside acts such as Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers. In 1965, they secured a contract with Pye Records through Tony Hatch, but their initial single, "Can't Let Her Go" / "I'm The One," failed to chart. The following year saw Green replaced by John Helliwell, with Jess Roden joining as vocalist so Bannister could concentrate on keyboard duties. They made appearances on Ready Steady Go!, participated in the Windsor Jazz Festival, and headlined at London's renowned Marquee Club.

This formation released three singles that did not achieve chart recognition; however, "Emergency 999" later gained popularity within the Northern Soul scene. They contributed to a live album, London Swings: Live at the Marquee Club, shared with Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. In November 1966, Tony Catchpole took over guitar duties from Burgess. In 1967, they issued "Gonna Fix You Good (Everytime You're Bad)" / "I Really, Really Care" and produced the soundtrack for the French film Jeu de Massacre. Additionally, they recorded sessions for BBC programs such as Rhythm and Blues (1966) and Saturday Club (1967).

Transition to The Alan Bown!

Following the conclusion of their contract with Pye Records in 1967, Bown rebranded the group as "The Alan Bown!" and shifted their musical style towards psychedelic rock under Verve Records. Their debut full-length album, Outward Bown (1968), included a rendition of Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower", which notably influenced the version later recorded by Hendrix. They performed "We Can Help You" on Top of the Pops, achieving a peak position of No. 26 on UK charts; however, a strike at the pressing plant hindered wider commercial success.

In 1969, signing with Deram Records, they attained minor chart success with "Still as Stone". Like many contemporaries facing needle time restrictions, they recorded live sessions for the BBC. Their self-titled album The Alan Bown! was produced amid Jess Roden's departure; for the UK release, vocals were re-recorded by Robert Palmer, while Roden's original vocal tracks were retained for US editions. The band also appeared on BBC Television's Disco Two.

By 1970, after joining Island Records, they recorded Listen. Shortly thereafter Palmer exited; his replacement Gordon Neville re-recorded vocals prior to release. The single "Pyramid" came out ahead of further personnel changes: Andy Brown succeeded Haldane on bass, while saxophonist Mel Collins joined. They issued another album titled Stretching Out and returned to perform on Disco Two. Bannister departed without replacement; bass responsibilities passed to Dougie Thomson, and Derek Griffiths took over guitar from Catchpole. This lineup remained intact until February 1972. Subsequently, Bown assembled a new group featuring Dave Lawson on keyboards, Tony Dangerfield handling bass duties, Frank White on guitar—later succeeded by Pete Goodall—Nick Payn playing tenor saxophone and flute, along with drummer Alan Coulter. After undertaking an extensive tour, Bown dissolved this incarnation in July 1972.

Later Endeavors

  • Alan Bown became a member of Jonesy before advancing to the role of A&R manager at CBS Records.
  • Jeff Bannister went on to join A Band Called O.
  • Mel Collins collaborated with King Crimson, Alexis Korner, and several other prominent musicians.
  • John Helliwell and Dougie Thomson both became part of Supertramp.
  • Gordon Neville performed with Elton John's ensemble and worked alongside Rick Wakeman.
  • Robert Palmer initially joined Dada, which later transformed into Vinegar Joe, then embarked on a prosperous solo career and established Power Station.
  • Jess Roden created the band Bronco.
  • Vic Sweeney teamed up with Kevin Coyne.
  • Pete Goodall worked with artists such as Percy Sledge, Viola Wills, and Carl Douglas.
  • Nick Payn is currently active with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.
  • Dave Lawson co-founded Greenslade and stayed with the group until their disbandment in 1975.

Recordings

Singles
  • "Can't Let Her Go" / "I'm the One" (1966) Pye
  • "Baby Don't Push Me" / "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" (1966) Pye
  • "Headline News" / "Mister Pleasure" (1966) Pye – Reached UK chart position 52
  • "Emergency 999" / "Settle Down" (1966) Pye
  • "Gonna Fix You Good (Everytime You're Bad)" / "I Really, Really Care" (1967) Pye
  • "Jeu De Massacre" (1967) Disques Vogue
  • "We Can Help You" / "Magic Handkerchief" (1967) Music Factory – Peaked at UK No. 55
  • "Toyland" / "Technicolour Dream" (1967) MGM – Charted at UK No. 53 and US No. 94 (Cashbox)
  • "Story Book" / "Little Lesley" (1968) MGM
  • "Still As Stone" / "Wrong Idea" (1969) Deram
  • "Gypsy Girl" / "All I Can" (1969) Deram
  • "Pyramid" / "Crash Landing" (1971) Island
  • "Rockford Files" / "I Don't Know" (1975) CBS
Albums
  • London Swings: Live at the Marquee Club (1966) Pye (one side); re-released on CD by Castle in 1994
  • Outward Bown (November 1968) Music Factory
  • The Alan Bown (February 1970) Deram – The US edition featured Jess Roden; UK and subsequent reissues included Robert Palmer
  • Listen (November 1970) Island
  • Stretching Out (August 1971) Island
Compilation Albums
  • Kick Me Out (1985) See for Miles
  • Emergency 999 (2002) Sequel

This discography has been gathered from various sources and may include some discrepancies.

Bibliography

The Alan Bown Set – Before and Beyond authored by Jeff Bannister, published by Banland Publishing Ltd

External links

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