Third World War (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | John Fenton, Terry Stamp, Jim Avery |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Third World War was a British band blending blues rock, hard rock, and proto-punk styles, created in 1970 by manager and producer John Fenton together with songwriters Terry Stamp and Jim Avery. Fenton was responsible for naming the group and significantly influenced its musical vision, aiming to establish a straightforward, working-class ensemble with radical lyrics and an aggressive sound. This approach led to their recognition as "England's first punk band" following Crushed Butler.
Their initial album, titled Third World War, was recorded in 1970 and released the following year under Fly Records. The record prominently featured left-wing political messages, with Stamp handling rhythm guitar and vocals, Avery on bass guitar, Mick Lieber playing lead guitar, and Fred Smith on drums. The album also included contributions from pianist Tony Ashton and American musicians Jim Price (trumpet and trombone) and Bobby Keys (saxophone), both known for their work with the Rolling Stones.
At the time of the album’s release, the band had not yet performed live. During the summer of 1971, Avery, Fenton, and Stamp reorganized the lineup to support live performances by incorporating John Hawken on piano, John Knightsbridge on lead guitar, and Paul Olsen on drums. They embarked on an intensive Finnish tour consisting of 35 shows within 30 days, followed by appearances at various European festivals. In that same year, two singles were issued through Fly Records: "Ascension Day"/"Teddy Teeth Goes Sailing" and "A Little Bit Of Urban Rock"/"Working Class Man".
As they prepared their sophomore album in 1972, Fly Records expressed doubts about the band's market potential. The label insisted on removing the song "Coshing Old Lady Blues," but Fenton declined to release the record without this track included. As a result, Third World War II was launched via Track Records, associated with The Who. This second album featured a lineup similar to the touring band, except Craig Collinge replaced Olsen on drums. Financial challenges during production caused some musicians to remain unpaid, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the group shortly after completing the album.