The Gass Explained

The Gass
Alias:Gass
Background:group_or_band
Origin:UK
Genre:Rock, Funk, Soul
Years Active:1965–1971
Label:Polydor, CBS, Parlophone
Past Members:Robert Tench
Godfrey McLean
Delisle Harper
Derek Austin
Michael Piggott
Alan Roskans
Frank Clark
Humphrey Okan
Errol McLean

The Gass was a rock band[1] formed in May 1965 by Robert Tench, Godfrey McLean, and Errol McLean. They were managed by Rik Gunnell[2] and Active Management. The band fused melodies with soul, Latin influences, blues and progressive rock often employing complex rhythms[3] with an eclectic mix of other influences.[4] [2]

History

1960s-1969

After forming in the early 1960s as The Senators then becoming the Creators they became known as The Gass in 1965[5] with the original line up of Robert Tench as bass player and lead vocalist, percussionist Errol McLean with his brother drummer and vocalist Godfrey McLean.[6] Saxophonist Humphrey Oka and guitarist Alan Roskams were also added to the lineup. Tench soon became began contributing guitar and keyboard parts as well.[7] [8] As their music progressed the line up changedand between 1965 and 1967 they released singles on the Parlophone and CBS labels.[9]

The band played at clubs and venues throughout the UK and at fashionable music venues in London's Soho[10] such as The Ad Lib club,[11] The Flamingo and the Bag O'Nails. Eric Burdon sang with them at The Scotch of St James where they were employed as the house band and Jimi Hendrix jammed with them. During 1968 they were supporting bands such as Led Zeppelin.[12] In 1969 they became the house band for the rock musical Catch My Soul-Rock Othello produced by Jack Good[13] and their participation was billed as 'music interpreted by Gass'.[14]

1970-1971

By this period the band were known simply as Gass[15] and they released their first album Juju (1970)[16] which featured guitarist Peter Green.[4] [17] In the same year Godfrey McLean appeared on Peter Green's End of the Game (1970). Gass were also featured on the album Catch My Soul (1971),[18] which was recorded with the original cast of the UK stage production of Catch My Soul-Rock Othello.

In 1971 the band recorded the single "Something's Got To Change Your Ways" which was released the Polydor label. Pete Masden mentions in his book Funk guitar and Bass, that during this period Godfrey McLean and Tench performed at regular jam sessions with other musicians at Ronnie Scott's club. These sessions led to an embryonic line up for the fusion band Gonzalez.[19]

Post disbanding

In May 1971 Tench joined The Jeff Beck Group and Gass finally disbanded.[20] Godfrey McLean recorded with Brian Auger and The Oblivion Express.[21] Delisle Harper who was the band's bass player in a later lineup appeared with Tench on Freddie King's Burglar (1974) also Larger than Life (1975).[22] Roskams moved on to work with Herbie Goins.[23]

Band members

1969-1971

1965-1969

Discography

Albums

Singlesas The Gass

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music. Larkin, Colin. Guinness. 947.
  2. Book: Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras. Borderline. 325.
  3. Book: New Vitality London Management Team. Nielsen Business Media, Inc . Billboard Vol. 83, No. 46. 52. 1971-11-13.
  4. Book: Move to Acton said agent. Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush Gazette and Post . June 2, 1966. 2009-01-28.
  5. News: Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush Gazette and Post. 7. 2 June 1966.
  6. News: The Gass, Westminster and Pimlico News. 7. 12 August 1966.
  7. Book: Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights – The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras. Borderline. 325.
  8. Book: Leslie Fran. Interview with Bobby Tench. Blues In Britain. 18, 19, 20 Vol 1 issue 94. 2009-01-28.
  9. Web site: The Gass discography. 45cat.com. 2015-01-30.
  10. Web site: British rock music from the mid 60s onwards. Mike Pigott/Gass. Warburton, Nick. thestrangebrew.co.uk. 2018-11-23.
  11. Web site: It Happened Here. Cramp Nathaniel. timeout.com. 2009-01-28.
  12. Web site: The University of Surrey was where Led Zeppelin first played...on 25 October 1968. personal.ph.surrey.ac.uk. 2014-01-13.
  13. Web site: Jack Good. Vahimagi, Tise. screenonline.org.uk. 2009-04-18.
  14. Web site: The Roundhouse in pictures celebrating 50yrs-Catch my Soul. Kerr, Emily. 50.roundhouse.org.uk. 2019-05-01.
  15. Book: Hjort,Christopher. Jawbone Press, 2007. Strange Brew: Eric Clapton & the British Blues Boom, 1965-1970. 315. 9781906002008. registration.
  16. Web site: Gass album Juju. nme.com. 2009-01-22.
  17. Web site: Peter Green. Freedland, Jan. Fitzgerald, John. amp. fmlegacy.com. 2009-01-22. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090428011827/http://www.fmlegacy.com/Bios/biopeter.html. 28 April 2009. dmy-all.
  18. Web site: Jack Good's Rock Othello-Catch My Soul. homeonline.com. 2009-01-22. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111208231031/http://home.online.no/~frodebye/dana_gillespie/lp_catch_my_soul.htm. 8 December 2011. dmy-all.
  19. Book: Masden, Pete. Funk Guitar And Bass. 55.
  20. Book: Hjort, Chris . Hinman, Doug . amp . Jeff's book: A Chronology of Jeff Beck's Career 1965-1980. 111.
  21. Web site: [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p104484|pure_url=yes}} Godfrey McLean]. allmusic.com. 2009-01-22.
  22. Web site: [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p84406|pure_url=yes}} DeLisle Harper]. allmusic.com. 2009-01-22.
  23. Book: The Gass. Melody Maker. 26 August 1967. 2009-01-28.
  24. Book: Names and faces. Jones, Peter. Record Mirror. 15 April 1967. 2009-01-28.

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