The Noel Redding Band
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland |
| Founder | Noel Redding |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Clonakilty, County Cork , Ireland |
| Products | Music albums |
The Noel Redding Band, also referred to as The Clonakilty Cowboys after their initial album, Clonakilty Cowboys, was a British-Irish folk rock supergroup established in 1974 in Clonakilty, County Cork. The ensemble featured bassist, rhythm guitarist, and vocalist Noel Redding—previously associated with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Fat Mattress, and Road—alongside vocalist and keyboardist Dave Clarke, lead guitarist Eric Bell (formerly of Thin Lizzy and Them), and drummer Les Sampson (who had also played with Road). They produced two studio albums: Clonakilty Cowboys in 1975 and Blowin' in 1976, before disbanding in 1978.
History
Following the breakup of Fat Mattress in 1970, Redding joined the Los Angeles-based band Road, which released a single album prior to its dissolution in 1972. Subsequently, he initiated his own group, reuniting with drummer Sampson from Road. Clarke joined the lineup, followed by Bell, despite Bell’s initial reservations regarding Redding's songwriting abilities.
After their sophomore album came out in 1976, Sampson departed and was succeeded by Dave Donovan (formerly of Roy Wood). This formation embarked on a tour through Holland before the band ultimately dissolved toward the end of 1978.
Consistent with Redding’s other ventures, this project was relatively brief-lived, yielding two albums before disbanding. Tracks intended for a third album remained unreleased until Mouse Records issued them as The Missing Album.
In an interview, Redding expressed that The Clonakilty Cowboys were the band that gave him "the most pleasure" throughout his career.
Band members
- Noel Redding – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1974–78)
- Dave Clarke – lead vocals, keyboards, piano, organ, clavinet (1974–78)
- Eric Bell – lead guitar, backing vocals (1974–78)
- Les Sampson – drums, percussion (1974–76)
- Dave Donovan – drums, percussion (1976–78)
Discography
- Clonakilty Cowboys (1975)
- Blowin' (1976)
- The Missing Album (1995)