The Incredible String Band
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 in Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Founder | Clive Palmer, Robin Williamson, Mike Heron |
| Defunct | 1974 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited intermittently 1999–2006 |
| Headquarters | Edinburgh , Scotland |
| Products | Psychedelic folk music albums and performances |
The Incredible String Band (ISB) originated as a Scottish psychedelic folk ensemble founded in Edinburgh in 1966 by Clive Palmer, Robin Williamson, and Mike Heron. Following Palmer's early exit, Williamson and Heron continued as a duo, eventually incorporating additional members such as Licorice McKechnie, Rose Simpson, and Malcolm Le Maistre. The group dissolved in 1974 but reunited intermittently from 1999 until 2006 with varying personnel.
During the 1960s British countercultural movement, they amassed a devoted audience, particularly through albums like The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion (1967), The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter (1968), and Wee Tam and the Big Huge (1968). The ISB were innovators in psychedelic folk and played a role in shaping world music by blending an array of traditional instruments and musical influences.
Initial trio formation: 1965–66
In 1963, Robin Williamson and Clive Palmer began performing traditional folk music acoustically in Edinburgh. After being discovered by Elektra Records talent scout Joe Boyd in 1965, they recruited local rock musician Mike Heron to form the trio known as "the Incredible String Band." Early in 1966, Palmer managed Clive's Incredible Folk Club in Glasgow, where the band served as the resident performers. Boyd signed them to Elektra upon returning to London.
Their first album, The Incredible String Band (1966), primarily featured original songs that highlighted their multi-instrumental abilities. It received "Folk Album of the Year" honors from Melody Maker and garnered acclaim from Bob Dylan. Shortly after completing the recording, Palmer departed for Asia; Williamson returned from Morocco with new instruments, leading Heron and him to continue as a duo.
Evolution as a duo: 1966–67
In late 1966, Williamson and Heron toured various UK venues supporting artists such as Tom Paxton and Judy Collins. Under Boyd’s management, they played at significant festivals including the Newport Folk Festival alongside Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.
Their sophomore release, The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion (1967), included performances by Danny Thompson and Licorice McKechnie. This album reflected their artistic progression and broadened their fan base through airplay on influential programs like John Peel’s Perfumed Garden. It reached number one on UK folk charts and was named a favorite by Paul McCartney.
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter and Wee Tam and the Big Huge: 1968
The year 1968 represented their commercial zenith with two highly praised albums. The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter entered the UK top five charts and earned a Grammy nomination. The record featured intricate arrangements employing multitrack recording techniques and showcased vivid songwriting from both Heron and Williamson. Additional contributions came from McKechnie on vocals and percussion, Dolly Collins on flute organ, and David Snell on harp.
They toured prominent UK venues including Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall, as well as major American locations such as Fillmore East and West. During this timeframe, their involvement with Scientology—a controversial affiliation—coincided with some critics perceiving a downturn in their creative output.
Their November 1968 double album Wee Tam and the Big Huge delved into themes of mythology, religion, and identity through experimental concepts. Rose Simpson began adding musical contributions alongside McKechnie, enriching backing vocals and instrumentation despite her initial lack of experience.
Woodstock and multimedia: 1969–70
Residing together in a communal setting in Pembrokeshire, Wales, the group engaged in multimedia ventures such as the film Be Glad For the Song Has No Ending, which combined documentary-style footage with imaginative sequences that portrayed their communal philosophy.
Throughout 1969, the band embarked on extensive tours across both the United States and the United Kingdom. They were invited to perform at Woodstock for a fee of $4,500 but postponed their appearance due to inclement weather. Their performance took place on August 16, amidst a lineup dominated by hard rock artists, which led to limited audience engagement and omission from the festival's official film. Additionally, they performed at the Texas International Pop Festival.
The November 1969 release, Changing Horses, did not achieve the same acclaim as their earlier works. By the end of that year, they had established a communal residence near Innerleithen. In April 1970, they introduced the album I Looked Up.
Their live shows featured theatrical components such as unique instruments, vibrant costumes, poetry readings, sketches, and dance routines, embodying the spirit of the hippie era. In 1970, Robin Williamson initiated "U," a multimedia theatrical presentation at London's Roundhouse that fused music with dance ensemble performances. Despite its ambitious scope, it garnered mixed critiques and was poorly received during a brief tour in the United States; Joe Boyd characterized it as "a disaster."
Diminishing returns: 1971–74
Following 1970, the band experienced a gradual downturn in commercial achievements. Joe Boyd ended his managerial role; they parted ways with Elektra Records and signed with Island Records, releasing five albums including the soundtrack for Be Glad... and Liquid Acrobat as Regards the Air, which is considered a creative revival.
Changes in personnel saw Rose Simpson replaced by Malcolm Le Maistre; Heron issued a solo album titled Smiling Men with Bad Reputations, featuring notable session artists like Pete Townshend and Keith Moon. Subsequent departures included Licorice McKechnie, succeeded by jazz musician Gerard Dott; Williamson also released his solo work Myrrh.
With additions such as Stan Schnier (bass), Jack Ingram (drums), and Graham Forbes (electric guitar), their musical style evolved toward more conventional amplified rock. Due to declining sales, Island Records dropped them in 1974; internal conflicts culminated in their disbandment that October.
Solo careers: 1974–2014
Williamson established Robin Williamson and His Merry Band before embarking on a prolific solo path that spanned traditional Celtic to experimental music, producing over forty albums including the Grammy-nominated Wheel of Fortune (1995) and releases on ECM like The Seed-at-Zero (2000). Mike Heron formed bands such as Mike Heron's Reputation/Heron while occasionally issuing solo material. Malcolm Le Maistre dedicated himself to education, theatre arts, musical performance, and released two solo albums.
Reunion and final separation: 1999–2006
Williamson and Heron reunited for performances in 1997; a full reunion including Palmer took place in 1999 but failed to recapture former prominence. In 2003 Williamson temporarily departed; Heron continued touring alongside Palmer, Dando, and Claire "Fluff" Smith under the name 'incrediblestringband2003.' This lineup toured across the UK and US until their concluding show at Moseley Folk Festival in September 2006.
Barbican: 2009
In 2009, Heron and Palmer organized the event "Very Cellular Songs: The Music of the Incredible String Band" at The Barbican. This showcase included performances by notable musicians such as Richard Thompson, Danny Thompson, Robyn Hitchcock, Alasdair Roberts, Trembling Bells, Green Gartside, and Dr Strangely Strange.
Musical style
The Incredible String Band (ISB) merged folk and pop elements with experimental approaches to structure and instrumentation, incorporating influences from Indian and Moroccan music. Their innovative and diverse compositions played a significant role in shaping the underground pop scene of the late 1960s. They left a mark on peers like The Beatles—who witnessed their performances before releasing Sgt Pepper—and Led Zeppelin, who acknowledged ISB's influence on tracks such as Dancing Days. Their songwriting often featured atypical linear arrangements rather than traditional song forms.
Legacy
Rose Simpson, a former member, held the position of Mayoress in Aberystwyth in 1994. Archbishop Rowan Williams described the band as "holy" in his foreword to an ISB biography after selecting "The Hedgehog's Song" for his appearance on Desert Island Discs. Licorice McKechnie has been unaccounted for since 1987.
Members
- Mike Heron (1965–1974, 1999–2006)
- Robin Williamson (1965–1974, 1999–2003)
- Clive Palmer (1965–1966, 1999–2006; deceased 2014)
- Christina "Licorice" McKechnie (1968–1972)
- Rose Simpson (1968–1971)
- Malcolm Le Maistre (1971–1974)
- Stan Schnier (1972–1974)
- Jack Ingram (1972–1974)
- Gerard Dott (1972–1973)
- Graham Forbes (1973–1974)
- John Gilston (1974)
- Lawson Dando (1999–2006)
- Bina Williamson (1999–2003)
- Claire "Fluff" Smith (2003–2006)
Lineups
| 1965–1966 | 1966–1968 | 1968–1971 | 1971–1972 |
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| 1972–1973 | 1973–1974 | 1974 | 1974–1999 |
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Disbanded |
| 1999–2003 | 2003–2006 | ||
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