Extremely rare single from 1967 this was the first single released by the band which according to wikipedia had both Brian Glascock and Lee Kerslake in the line-up
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The Gods
Years active 1965–1969
Labels EMI
Polydor
Associated acts Jethro Tull
Bee Gees
The Rolling Stones
King Crimson
Uriah Heep
The Gods were an English group founded in 1965. The original bandmembers included Mick Taylor (later with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the Rolling Stones), Brian Glascock, and his brother John (later with Jethro Tull)
Career
They were schoolmates from Hatfield and had been playing together as The Juniors (or The Strangers), a band they formed in 1962. Also part of this band were Malcolm Collins and Alan Shacklock. They eventually signed with EMI / Columbia Records. Their first 7" single (Columbia DB7339) appeared in 1964 ("There's a Pretty Girl"/"Pocket Size"). In 1965, the line-up changed. Mick Taylor continued to play guitar and teamed up with Ken Hensley (organ/vocals) (later guitarist with Uriah Heep). They also added Joe Konas (guitar/vocals) and changed their name to "The Gods".
In 1966, The Gods opened for Cream at the Starlite Ballroom in Wembley, London. A single (Come On Down To My Boat Baby/Garage Man) was recorded in early 1967 on Polydor Records. At this point the line-up included Mick Taylor, Ken Hensley, John Glascock, Brian Glascock and Lee Kerslake.
In May 1967, Mick Taylor got a call from John Mayall who was looking for a new guitarist to replace Peter Green. When Taylor joined the Bluesbreakers, he left behind a faltering bluesband. The band sought to revive their fortunes on the club/college circuit. They relocated to London and secured a residency at The Marquee. John Glascock (bass) was replaced by Paul Newton in June 1967 and then by Greg Lake. Greg Lake left in the Summer of 1968 to join King Crimson. The band had to re-group again and John Glascock was asked to return.
With John Glascock back in the fold they recorded a couple of progressive rock albums and a few singles. Of their singles, "Hey! Bulldog", The Beatles track, is their best known, and both sides have been included on the compilation album, The Great British Psychedelic Trip Vol. 3. The band played an amalgam of psychedelia and progressivism. Tracks like "Towards The Skies" and "Time And Eternity" from their 1968 album Genesis are full of heavy ploughing Hammond organ and distorted guitar riffs and Ken Hensley's unique and rather dramatic vocals add a further dimension.
Most of The Gods' material is fairly typical late 1960s pop/rock, epitomised by songs like "Radio Show" and "Yes I Cry". There are shades of Vanilla Fudge on their cover of West Side Story extract "Maria". On a few tracks like "Candlelight" and "Real Love Guaranteed" there is an inkling of the heavier sound Hensley and Kerslake would propagate in their next venture, Uriah Heep.
The Gods were the successors of The Rolling Stones at the Marquee Club in London.
After recording two albums, Genesis (1968) and To Samuel a Son (1969), they signed with a new record company, recruited Rebel Rousers singer Cliff Bennett and changed their name to Toe Fat, which also lasted two years and two albums.
The following have been members of The Gods-
John Glascock (bass) (later with Toe Fat, Chicken Shack, Carmen, Jethro Tull)
Brian Glascock (drums) (later with The Motels and with the Bee Gees)
Mick Taylor (guitar) (later with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and the Rolling Stones)
Ken Hensley (organ and vocals, occasional guitar) (later with Uriah Heep)
Joe Konas (guitar/vocals)
Lee Kerslake (drums) (later with Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne)
Paul Newton (bass) (later with Uriah Heep)
Greg Lake (bass) (later with King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
Cliff Bennett (vocals) (of Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers)
Alan Shacklock (guitar) (later with Babe Ruth)
Discography
Singles
"Come On Down To My Boat Baby / Garage Man" (Polydor 56168)
"Baby's Rich" / "Somewhere In The Street" (Columbia DB 8486)
"Hey Bulldog" / "Real Love Guaranteed" (Columbia DB 8544)
"Maria" (from "West Side Story") / "Long Time Sad Time Bad Time" (Columbia DB 8572)
Albums
Genesis (L.P. Columbia SCX 6286) 1968, re-issued 1994 Repertoire Records
To Samuel a Son (L.P. Columbia SCX 6372) 1969, re-issued 1995 Repertoire Records
Best of The Gods (compilation CD)
Mick Taylor Guitar
Ken Hensley Organ,Vocals & Guitar
John Glascock Bass
Brian Glascock Drums
Lee Kerslake Drums
Lovely to find this old one.
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