Cartoone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cartoone | ||
|---|---|---|
 Derek Creigan (voc, b)
|
||
| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Glasgow, Scotland |
|
| Genre(s) | Pop / Acoustic / Rock | |
| Years active | 1967 — 1970 | |
| Label(s) | Atlantic Records | |
| Website | http://www.myspace.com/cartoone | |
| Members | ||
| Derek Creigan Vocals / Bass Mike Alison Guitar / Vocals Mo Trowers Rhythm Guitar / Vocals Charlie Coffils Drums / Vocals |
||
Cartoone were a Scottish band formed in 1967, and their 1st album featured Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) as Guest Artist on all tracks, playing his Fender Telecaster and his Gibson Custom Acoustic guitar.
Contents |
[edit] History
Cartoone were formed in 1967 from a band called The Chevlons. Cartoone toured all over Scotland in support of many top bands like The Tremeloes, The Merseybeats and The Hollies, to name just a few.
After a year of touring Cartoone decided to join Derek Creigan in London in 1968 to write some new songs and possibly gain a recording contract. Through singer Lulu they contacted Mark London to play him some of the songs they had written. Mark was so impressed with the band and their songs he took them into a recording studio the next day and put down 4 songs with just acoustic guitars. Mark then took those songs to Jerry Wexler world famous producer, and Ahmet Ertegun President of Atlantic Records who signed Cartoone for a two album deal.
The album was made with Jimmy Page as guest artist. The album was released on Atlantic Records in 1969 Guest Artists:- 1st Album- Cartoone -Jimmy Page--- 2nd Album- Reflections - Les Harvey--- Producer:- Mark London--- Engineers:- Brian Humphries and Eddie Offord--- Cartoone appeared on Top of the Pops on 16th Jan 1969 with their single "Penny for the Sun". They also appeared on BBC TV on It's Happening for Lulu the 12 Dec 1968 which also featured her hubby Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees. Cartoone were to form a close friendship with Lulu and Maurice around that very exciting time in the 60's.
In April-June 1969 Cartoone went over to USA to support Led Zeppelin on tour, - with their very first gig in USA at Madison Square Gardens, New York.
Unfortunately the Led Zeppelin audience didn't appreciate the soft melodic sound of Cartoone in their support slot with Zeppelin. Consequently the album didn't sell as well as expected to that type of audience who were after long guitar and drum solos, plus heavy riffs.
After the tour Atlantic were disappointed with what they saw as poor sales of Cartoone's album (80,000 copies sold in USA ) so they dropped Cartoone and refused to release their second album which was called Reflections this and the original album have been deleted, and gather dust in the Atlantic Records vaults at present.The first album is a very rare vinyl record that is worth £50(UK version) and the gatefold USA version can be bought on ebay, but you will have to bid for it.
Hopefully the Atlantic Records or Rhino Records will re-release both albums once again on CD to allow the general public to hear Derek Creigan's unique voice with his band Cartoone. Plus all the Jimmy Page fans can listen to him with Cartoone in session man mode. It would make sense, as there is a market for 60's bands like Cartoone as there is a resurgence of nostalgia for that era and it's music.
[edit] Where are they now
Derek Creigan - Bass / Vocals
|
Is no longer with us, but his music, and the music of his band Cartoone will live on.
Mo Trowers - Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals
|
Mo passed away a couple of months ago in Australia.
Mike Allison - Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals
|
Mike has been the most succesful of Cartoone. He wrote a No 1 hit and won a "grammy" in USA for Olivia Newton-John song called "Every Face Tells A Story" and also wrote most of the Cliff Richard album "I'm Nearly Famous Now" including the title track, which was a single and went to no 1 for Sir Cliff.
Mike now runs a recording studio in London, and discovers new talent for major labels. He no longer performs onstage anymore and prefers writing and recording.
Charlie Coffils - Drums / Percussion / Backing Vocals
|
Still playing drums for enjoyment only, sometimes sits in on drums with Brighton band "Soul Reality"
Mark London - Cartoone Manager / Producer / Songwriter
Mark was the manager of Cartoone and best friend to Peter Grant ( Led Zeppelin manager) who also had vested interest in Cartoone. Mark was also the writer of Lulu's No 1 song "To Sir with Love" which topped the US charts for 8 weeks at No 1.
Mark is still writing songs, among other music interests.
Dennis Sheehan - Cartoone Tour Manager
Dennis has been the Tour Manager for world class band U2 for the last 20 years and is at present on a World Tour with them in Australia/New Zealand.
Jimmy Page - Guest Artist on Cartoone's debut album
Still making music and recording, and will always be connected to Cartoone due to guesting on guitars on their album.
Leslie Harvey - Guest Artist on Cartoone's second album "Reflections"
Les tragically died onstage at a Stone the Crows gig in 1972 at the Top Rank Ballroom in Swansea. He was only 25 years old and an highly regarded guitarist who had a massive future ahead of him before it was sadly taken away from him. His girlfriend Maggie Bell carried on with the band, but it was never the same after Les died.
Maggie Bell - Lead Singer of Stone the Crows band
has formed a new british blues band recently and can be found touring the UK once again with Manfred Mann and Chris Farlowe.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Cartoone | Atlantic Records SD8219 |
| 1969 | Reflections | Atlantic Records (Unreleased) |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Penny for the Sun | Atlantic Records |
| 1969 | Reflections on a Common Theme | Atlantic Records |
