Ariel (band)

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Ariel was an Australian band based around the duo Mike Rudd and Bill Putt, who formed the band in 1973 after previously playing in the bands Spectrum and Murtceps. The original line-up included Rudd (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Putt (bass), Tim Gaze (guitar), Nigel Macara (drums) and John Mills (keyboards). Gaze and Macara were recruited from seminal Australian progressive rock band Tamam Shud.

The band released three studio albums and two live albums in the period 1974-1977, during which there were several line-up changes, with Rudd and Putt the only permanent members. Other members of Ariel included guitarists Harvey James (ex-Sherbet) and Glyn Mason, and keyboard player Tony Slavich.

Their debut album A Strange Fantastic Dream, produced by Peter Dawkins was released in 1974 and reached #16 in the Australian music charts.[1]. It included what was to prove their most successful single "Jamaican Farewell", which peaked at #34, and the dark song "Confessions of a Psychopathic Cowpoke".

The subsequent albums Rock'n'Roll Scars (1975) and Goodnight Fiona (1976) were also produced by Dawkins, while the only other single to chart was I'll take you high which reached #36 in January 1976.

Their final concert in August 1977 at Dallas Brooks Hall, Melbourne was recorded and released over the two albums Aloha Ariel (1977) and Live - More From Before (1978). These two albums were subsequently reissued in 1980 as Ariel Live In Concert.