Tony McPhee explained

Tony McPhee
Background:non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth Name:Anthony Charles McPhee
Alias:"T.S." McPhee
Birth Date:23 March 1944
Birth Place:Humberston, Lincolnshire, England
Instrument:Guitar, vocals
Occupation:Musician
Past Member Of:Groundhogs
Website:http://www.thegroundhogs.co.uk/

Anthony Charles McPhee (23 March 1944 – 6 June 2023) was an English guitarist and singer. He was the founder of the British blues and rock band the Groundhogs.

Career

McPhee was given the name "T.S." — standing for "Tough Shit" — when he released a duet single with Champion Jack Dupree — titled "Get Your Head Happy!" — in 1966. Producer Mike Vernon suggested adding to McPhee's name in order to make it look more like an official blues name.[1] The Groundhogs backed Dupree and John Lee Hooker on UK concerts in the mid-1960s.[2] The band evolved into a blues-rock trio that produced three UK Top 10 albums in the UK in the early 1970s.[3] [4]

In 1973, McPhee released a solo album titled The Two Sides of Tony (T.S.) McPhee. Side A of this record is blues rock, and Side B is a single psychedelic art rock electronic composition in four movements, featuring Arp 2600 synthesizers, electric piano, and The Rhythm Ace drum synthesizer. Entitled The Hunt, it explores McPhee's strong stance against fox and stag hunting.[5] [6] McPhee also released many other solo acoustic blues records, as well as duets with Jo Ann Kelly.

Apart from the Groundhogs, McPhee played with Herbal Mixture, the John Dummer Band, Hapshash and the Coloured Coat, Tony McPhee's Terraplane, Tony McPhee's Turbo, the Tony McPhee Band,[7] and Current 93.[8]

McPhee's definitive biography, written by Paul Freestone, was published in 2012.[6]

Health issues and death

In 2009, McPhee suffered a stroke, which affected his speech and ability to sing.[9] [10]

McPhee died on 6 June 2023 of complications from a fall that occurred the previous year. He was 79.[11]

Solo discography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Brunning. Bob. Blues : the British connection. 1986. Blandford Press. Poole. 9780713715873. 97. 1. publ. in the UK.. registration.
  2. Web site: Bruce Eder . Tony McPhee | Biography . . 22 March 1944 . 16 August 2015.
  3. They continued to play in various line-ups until, McPhee retired in 2014.2024 update by Joanna Deacon Tony McPhee's widow
  4. Web site: Interview: Ken Pustelnik. Bristol 24/7. 19 January 2018. 19 November 2015.
  5. Web site: Breznikar. Klemen. Klemen Breznikar . 9 August 2011. The Groundhogs interview with Tony McPhee. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171218143833/http://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2011/08/groundhogs-interview-with-tony-mcphee.html. 18 December 2017. 19 January 2018. It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine.
  6. Book: Freestone. Paul. Eccentric Man: A Biography & Discography of Tony (TS) McPhee. 2012. Incompetent Publishing. 9780956865205.
  7. Web site: An Interview with Tony "TS" McPhee of The Groundhogs: A Legendary Artist of British Blues History. blues.gr. 19 January 2018. en.
  8. Web site: Current 93: I Am the Last of All the Field That Fell: A Channel Album Review Pitchfork. pitchfork.com. 19 January 2018. en.
  9. Web site: Official Tony (TS) McPhee & The Groundhogs Web Site . Thegroundhogs.co.uk . 13 November 2014 . 16 August 2015.
  10. Web site: Official Tony (TS) McPhee FaceBook Pagee . FB . 20 August 2020 . 30 March 2022.
  11. Web site: Tony McPhee, singer and guitarist for rock band the Groundhogs, dies aged 79 . Ben . Beaumont-Thomas . . 6 June 2023 . 6 June 2023 . en-GB.

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