Medicine Head
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Medicine Head was an English blues rock band, active in the 1970s.
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[edit] Main personnel
The group worked as a duo for most of its career, consisting of
- John Fiddler (born 25 September 1947, Darlaston, Staffordshire, England) - (vocalist, guitarist, piano player, drummer).
- Peter Hope-Evans (born 28 September 1947, Brecon, Powys, Wales) - (harmonica, jew's harp, and mouthbow player).
[edit] Career
Medicine Head formed in Stafford in 1968, and came to prominence when championed by influential DJ John Peel, who signed them to his Dandelion record label.
The group recorded six original albums, the opening trio of which were on 'Dandelion'. That label enjoyed its only UK Singles Chart hit when "(And The) Pictures in the Sky" reached number 22 in 1971. Despite consistent touring, often as support to acts with larger commercial appeal, Medicine Head failed to place an album on the UK Albums Chart. One of their albums was titled "Dark Side of the Moon" (1972), released the year before the Pink Floyd album of the same name. If the Medicine Head release had gained attention, Pink Floyd may have had to reconsider the title of their masterwork.
They went through line-up changes with their largely backing personnel, but did achieve a total of four hit singles, the best-known of which are "One and One is One" (No. 3, 1973) and "Rising Sun" (No. 11, 1973). At various times the line-up also included Tony Ashton, formerly of Ashton, Gardner and Dyke, and Keith Relf, the former Yardbirds vocalist.
Their later recordings were released on the Polydor record label. Two Man Band was their last album, and Medicine Head finally folded in 1977. In 2005 Angel Air released the album Don't Stop The Dance. In effect it was a 'lost' album, compiling some singles from an unsuccessful period with the WWA label, and some unreleased sessions with the band as a five piece.
In March 2007 Medicine Head's debut album New Bottles, Old Medicine was re-released on CD by Cherry Red Records.
[edit] Post break-up careers
Since the band's break-up, both members have continued to work in music: Hope-Evans appears on many albums, most prominently with Pete Townshend, and Fiddler was a member of British Lions and Box of Frogs. Fiddler has occasionally revived the Medicine Head name, to tour a show of their hits and release further low-key recordings.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
The following Medicine Head singles appeared on the UK Singles Chart[1]:
- "(And The) Pictures in the Sky" - Number 22 - 1971
- "One and One is One" - Number 3 - 1973
- "Rising Sun" - Number 11 - 1973
- "Slip and Slide" - Number 22 - 1974
[edit] Albums
- New Bottles, Old Medicine - 1970
- Heavy on the Drum - 1971
- Dark Side of the Moon - 1972
- One & One is One - 1973
- Thru a Five - 1974
- Medicine Head - 1976
- Two Man Band - 1976
[edit] References
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums, 19th, London: Guinness World Records Limited, p. 359. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
