The Artwoods

The Artwoods

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1963
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom, Poland
Key people	Art Wood, Jon Lord, Derek Griffiths, Keef Hartley, Malcolm Pool, Colin Martin
Products	Rhythm and blues music

The Artwoods—occasionally credited as the Art Woods by Decca Records—were a British rhythm and blues ensemble established in 1963, with their professional activity spanning from 1964 until 1967. They earned a strong reputation as a live performance group, competing with prominent acts such as the Animals, although their record sales did not reflect the same level of success.

History

Arthur Wood, known as Art Wood and the band's namesake, was the eldest sibling of Ronnie Wood (who later joined Faces and the Rolling Stones). Before forming the Artwoods, he briefly served as lead vocalist for Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated in 1962 while leading his own outfit, the Art Wood Combo. The band came together when keyboardist Jon Lord and guitarist Derek Griffiths, both formerly of Red Bludd's Bluesicians, joined forces with him. Alongside drummer Keef Hartley (previously part of Rory Storm & the Hurricanes) and bassist Malcolm Pool (from the Roadrunners), they turned professional in December 1964. Soon after, they secured a residency at London's 100 Club and signed a contract with Decca Records. Colin Martin, who had been with the Ingoes (later known as Blossom Toes), also joined; he eventually became Head of Music at BBC Radio 2.

Their initial single was intended to be a rendition of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man", but it was replaced by "Sweet Mary," a cover of a Lead Belly track. Although this release did not enter the charts, it received significant radio exposure that enhanced their live performance opportunities, including an appearance on the inaugural live episode of Ready Steady Go!. Subsequent singles such as "Oh My Love" also failed to chart. Their sole charting hit was "I Take What I Want," which peaked at No. 28 on 8 May 1966. Notably, the Artwoods were among the few British bands to perform behind the Iron Curtain, undertaking a tour in Poland in 1966 with Jon Lord’s then-partner Elkie Brooks opening.

As the St Valentines Day Massacre

By the end of 1966, Decca Records dropped the group; they then signed a one-off deal with Parlophone. However, their release "What Shall I Do" did not achieve commercial success. Later in 1967, under the name St. Valentine's Day Massacre, a final single was issued on the Fontana label. By that time, the Artwoods had effectively ceased to exist as an active band.

Critical reception and post-band activity

According to Bruce Eder of AllMusic, while their early recordings may not have garnered widespread acclaim at the time, they stand up well when compared to contemporaries who achieved greater commercial success such as the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, or the Birds, which featured Art Wood’s younger brother Ronnie. Despite television appearances on programs like Ready, Steady, Go!, their singles failed to gain significant market traction. The band disbanded in mid-1967. Afterward, Art Wood joined his brother Ted in pursuing a career in graphic arts but continued playing music semi-professionally, including collaborations with the Downliners Sect. Meanwhile, Keef Hartley became part of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and Jon Lord went on to co-found Deep Purple.

Two compilation albums have been issued: 100 Oxford Street (1983) by Edsel Records, which includes most of their mid-1960s singles along with seven tracks from Art Gallery; and Singles A's & B's (2000) from Repertoire Records, encompassing their complete single and EP releases.

Band members

• Art Wood – lead singer (born Arthur Wood, 6 June 1937, West Drayton, Middlesex; passed away 3 November 2006, London)
• Derek Griffiths – lead guitarist (born Derek Charles Griffiths, 23 June 1944, England)
• Jon Lord – organist (born John Douglas Lord, 9 June 1941, Leicester; died 16 July 2012)
• Malcolm Pool – bass guitarist (born 10 January 1943, Hayes End, Middlesex)
• Keef Hartley – drummer (born Keith Hartley, 8 March 1944, Preston; deceased 26 November 2011)
• Colin Martin – drummer (born 18 March 1945, Leyton, East London)

Albums

• Art Gallery (Decca, LK4830) November 1966
• Art Gallery [Reissued] (Repertoire, REP4533-WP) 1995

Live albums

• Live at Klooks Kleek (Diamond) 2016
• Art's Gallery (Top Sounds) 2019

Compilation albums

• The Artwoods (Spark, SRLM2006) 1974
• 100 Oxford Street (Edsel, ED107) 1983
• Singles A's & B's (Repertoire, REP4887) 2000
• Steady Gettin' It – The Complete Recordings 1964–67 (RPM) 2014

EPs

• Oh My Love ["Oh My Love" / "Big City" / "If I Ever Get My Hands on You" / "Sweet Mary"] (Decca 457.076 M) 1966
• Jazz in Jeans ["These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" / "A Taste of Honey" / "Our Man Flint" / "Routine"] (Decca DFE 8654) 1966
• The Artwoods ["I Take What I Want" / "If I Ever Get My Hands on You" / "I Feel Good" / "She Knows What to Do"] (Decca DFE 8576) Reissued in Japan, 2009

Singles

• "Sweet Mary" / "If I Ever Get My Hands on You" (Decca F 12015) November 1964
• "Oh My Love" / "Big City" (Decca F 12091) February 1965
• "Goodbye Sisters" / "She Knows What to Do" (Decca F 12206) August 1965
• "I Take What I Want" / "I'm Looking for a Saxophonist Doubling French Horn Wearing Size 37 Boots" (Decca F 12384) April 1966
• "I Feel Good" / "Molly Anderson's Cookery Book" (Decca F 12465) August 1966
• "What Shall I Do" / "In the Deep End" (Parlophone R 5590) April 1967
• "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" / "Al's Party" (Fontana H883) released as St. Valentine's Day Massacre, 1967