Velvett Fogg
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , United Kingdom |
| Products | Psychedelic rock music |
Velvett Fogg was a British band known for their contributions to the psychedelic rock genre. In mid-1968, Tony Iommi briefly joined the group before departing to establish Black Sabbath. Their only eponymous album debuted in January 1969 and was later reissued on CD by Sanctuary Records in 2002.
Development
Velvett Fogg[1][2]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name originated from Birmingham’s dynamic underground music scene of the late 1960s, a fertile ground for innovative bands striving to push the boundaries of pop music. The members of the band emerged directly from this alternative local musical landscape.
The band formed in 1968, evolving from the Birmingham ensemble Gravy Train. Its lineup included soul vocalist Ernie Handy; Bob Hewitt on lead guitar; drummer Graham Mullett; bassist Mick Pollard; and Frank Wilson, a Londoner who played Hammond organ and provided vocals, eventually assuming leadership and lead singing duties. Throughout their first year, they toured extensively in Germany, performing at military bases and clubs, accompanied by a stage show featuring light effects and a go-go dancer.
Velvett Fogg, the album
After returning to Birmingham, Velvett Fogg secured management under Inter City Artists and obtained a recording contract through Jack Dorsey of Pye Records. During this era, record companies were keen to sign unconventional or provocative underground acts to capitalize on commercial potential. Dorsey urged the band to cultivate an image so striking it would "make people think you would piss on the pope!" (Keith Law).
The original lineup included guitarist Tony Iommi—who later gained fame with Black Sabbath—but he performed only once with Velvett Fogg before being temporarily replaced by Ian Leighton, whom Frank Wilson described as "a great blues guitarist." Around this time, Pye Records organized a photo session for the cover of their debut album.
Prior to recording sessions in late 1968, Leighton departed and was succeeded by Paul Eastment, a guitarist and vocalist who was also Iommi’s cousin. Eastment collaborated with Wilson, Mullett, and Pollard in contributing original material for the album.
Under Jack Dorsey’s guidance at Pye Records, Velvett Fogg recorded their debut album aiming to align with the popular Progressive rock movement of the period. Despite Wilson’s classical background, he acknowledged that their performances did not fully showcase their technical abilities. The band also produced psychedelic renditions of songs such as "New York Mining Disaster 1941" by The Bee Gees and Tim Rose’s "Come Away Melinda."
Keith Law
Keith Law,[3][1][2] a seasoned figure within the West Midlands music community and an associate of Velvett Fogg, contributed original compositions for their album. Having previously performed with bands like The Williamsons and Jardine, Law’s initial songwriting sessions yielded tracks including "Yellow Cave Woman," "Once Among The Trees," and "Within' The Night."
Album cover controversy
The self-titled Velvett Fogg album was released in January 1969 via Pye Records and sparked controversy due to its cover art. It depicted the pre-Paul Eastment lineup adorned in vivid makeup and body paint alongside two women wearing minimal clothing enhanced with body paint. Included with the album was a sleeve note by disc jockey John Peel, praising the music: "there is a lot of good music on this record. Remember Velvett Fogg - you will hear the name again."
"Telstar" single
In conjunction with the release of the Velvett Fogg album, Pye Records issued a single featuring a rendition of The Tornados' instrumental hit, "Telstar". This recording was made at the behest of Jack Dorsey, aiming to leverage the media attention surrounding the American Moon landings.
Group disbanded
Although the single received some airplay on radio stations, it did not achieve chart success, and Pye Records never launched a significant promotional campaign. Due to modest album sales and diminishing support from their label, the band embarked on a brief tour before dissolving in autumn 1969. Frank Wilson later remarked that the original German lineup had been the most fulfilling iteration.
After the album
Frank Wilson moved back to London, where he joined Riot Squad and The Rumble Band, eventually following Rick Wakeman into Warhorse in 1970.
Paul Eastment went on to establish the Birmingham-based group Holy Ghost (which later became Ghost), producing multiple albums. He also led Resurrection and worked alongside folk artist Shirley Kent.
Interest among collectors for Velvett Fogg’s scarce album has increased markedly, with original pressings commanding high prices and unauthorized copies circulating widely. In 2002, Sanctuary Records Group officially reissued the album on CD (CMRCD619).
Keith Law continues his musical career as a songwriter and performer in South West England. Frank Wilson performs with his band Run VT in South East England. Together, they are composing new material under the name Velvett Fogg Reloaded, aiming to release a forthcoming album.
Albums
- Velvett Fogg
- Available formats
- LP, Pye Records (1969)
- CD, See for Miles (1989)
- CD, Castle Records/Sanctuary Records Group Ltd. (2003)
- LP, Akarma Records (Italy) (2007)
Singles
- "Telstar '69" / "Owed to the Dip" (1969)
Compilation appearances
- Pictures in the Sky – includes "Within' the Night" (Bam-Caruso Records, 1988)
- Professor Jordan's Magic Sound Show – features "Lady Caroline" (Bam-Caruso Records, 1988)
- Out of This World - Instrumental Diamonds Vol 3 – contains "Telstar '69" (Sequel Records, 1993)
- 2001: A Space Rock Odyssey: Classic Stoner Psychedelia from the Early 70's – features "Telstar '69" (Castle Records-Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., 2001)
- The Rubble Collection Vol. 7 – includes "Within' the Night" (Past & Present Records, 2003)
- Rare Trax Vol. 33 - Nine Miles High: British Psychedelia from the 60s and 70s – features "Come Away Melinda" (Rolling Stone [DEU] Records, 2004)
- Instro Hipsters Volume Five – includes "Owed to the Dip" (Past & Present Records, 2004)
- Maybe Someone Is Digging Underground - The Songs of the Bee Gees – features "New York Mining Disaster 1941" (Castle Music, 2005)
- Brumbeat: the Story of the 60s Midlands Sound Disc 2 – contains "Wizard of Gobsolod" (Castle Records, 2006)
- Real Life Permanent Dreams: A Cornucopia of British Psychedelia 1965-1970 – includes "Lady Caroline" (Castle Music Ltd., Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., 2007)
- This Is Psychedelia – features "Yellow Cave Woman" (Metro Records, 2007)
- Cave of Clear Light - The Pye & Dawn Records Underground Trip 1967 to 1975 (3CD set) – includes "Yellow Cave Woman" (Pye/Esoteric [UK], 2010)