The Churchills (Israeli band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Yitzhak Klepter |
| Defunct | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Israel |
| Products | Rock music, psychedelic rock, hard rock, progressive rock |
The Churchills rank among the earliest rock groups to emerge in Israel, established by Yitzhak Klepter. They rose to recognition as the instrumental backing ensemble for Arik Einstein during his late 1960s and early 1970s ventures into rock music, playing a significant role in bringing the genre to widespread attention within Israel.
History
Originating in 1965, The Churchills specialized in rock tunes performed in English, covering genres such as psychedelic rock, hard rock, and progressive rock. On the international stage, they adopted the names Jericho Jones and later Jericho.
As influential contributors to the nascent Israeli beat movement, their partnership with Arik Einstein helped cement their presence in mainstream Israeli popular music. They participated in Einstein’s third solo effort, Poozy (1969), frequently cited as Israel’s inaugural Hebrew rock album, playing on roughly half of its tracks, including a Hebrew version of their original song "When You're Gone." The Churchills maintained their collaboration with Einstein through touring and jointly produced three more albums: Shablul (1970), Plastelina (1970), and On Avigdor's Grass (1971).
The band’s distinctive sound was heavily influenced by Canadian vocalist Stan Solomon and British guitarist Robb Huxley, who had previously been a member of The Tornados.
Their last single release, Time is Now, included a composition by Ray Dorset, who also featured the track on his solo album Cold Blue Excursion.
Band members
- Initial Lineup (1965–1967)
- Selwyn Lifshitz – lead vocals
- Yitzhak Klepter – guitar
- Haim Romano – guitar
- Miki Gavrielov – bass guitar
- Ami Traibetch – drums
- Second Lineup (1968–1969)
- Haim Romano – guitar
- Miki Gavrielov – bass
- Ami Traibetch – drums
- Stan Solomon – lead vocals
- Robb Huxley – guitar, backing vocals
- Third Lineup (1969–1972)
- Haim Romano – guitar
- Miki Gavrielov – bass guitar
- Ami Traibetch – drums
- Robb Huxley – guitar, backing vocals
- Dani Shoshan – lead vocals
- Fourth Lineup (1972–1973)
- Haim Romano – lead guitar
- Robb Huxley – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Dani Shoshan – bass and lead vocals
- Chris Perry – drums
- Fifth Lineup (1972–1973) (under the name The New Churchills)
- Miki Gavrielov – bass guitar
- Ami Traibetch – drums
- Roni Demol – guitar
- Shmulik Bodgov – guitar
Albums
- 1968 Cherchilim (צ'רצ'ילים, meaning "Churchill's") - Tracks include: "Open Up Your Eyes", "Song From The Sea", "Pictures in my Mind", "Comics", "When You're Gone", "Strangulation", "Straight People", "Subsequent Finale", "So Alone Today", and "Debka"
- 1971 Released as Jericho Jones: Junkies, Monkeys and Donkeys - Featuring tracks such as Mare Tranquilitatas, Man in the Crowd, There Is Always a Train, Yellow and Blue, Freedom, Trangulum, No School to Day, Junkies Monkeys & Donkeys, What Have We Got to Lose, and Mama's Gonna Take You Home
- 1972 Issued under Jericho: Jericho - Tracks include: "Ethiopia", "Don't You Let Me Down", "Featherbed", "Justin And Nova", and "Kill Me With Your Love"
Singles
- 1968 "Too Much In Love To Hear" (Gale/Holder) / "Talk To Me" (A-side originally recorded by The Tornados)
- 1970 Churchill Sebastian Bach: Coral for Young Lovers/Double Concerto (צ'רצ'יל סבסטיאן באך: קוראל לאוהבים הצעירים/קונצ'רטו כפול)
- 1970 "Signs of You" / "Living Loving"
- 1970 "She's a Woman" / "Sunshine Man"
- 1971 "Time is Now" / "Freedom"
- 2021 "Dangerous People"
Collaborative Works
- 1969 Arik Einstein – Poozy
- 1970 Arik Einstein & Shalom Hanoch – Shablul
- 1970 Arik Einstein & Shalom Hanoch – Plastelina
- 1970 Oshik Levi – Kzat Sheket
- 1971 Pupik Arnon – Kol Ehad
- 1971 Arik Einstein & Robb Huxley – Shirei Yeladim
- 1971 Arik Einstein & Miki Gavrielov – BaDeshe Etzel Avigdor
- 1973 Arik Einstein – Eretz Israel HaYeshana VeHaTova