Obscure Prog Facts

Verwuestung wrote: Elton John failed at 2 lead vocalists trials early in his youth. one was for King Crimson, the other Gentle Giant. his original name was dwight, later changed to elton john in homage to Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean (later of Soft Machine fame) and Long John Baldry

Elton John failed at 2 lead vocalists trials early in his youth. one was for King Crimson, the other Gentle Giant.
his original name was dwight, later changed to elton john in homage to Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean (later of Soft Machine fame) and Long John Baldry

Pick Withers, the drummer of what I consider legendary band Spring later became the drummer of Dire Strait's first 4 albums


Edited by Verwuestung - December 11 2010 at 05:10

Black Widow's original drummer Romeo Challenger went on to play with Showaddywaddy

Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) is distantly related to Wallis Simpson, the wife of Edward VIII - his maternal grandmother was Simpson's 2nd cousin. Van Vliet's stage name came from a term used by his Uncle Alan. Alan had a habit of exposing himself to Don's erstwhile girlfriend, Laurie. Alan would urinate with the bathroom door open and, if she was walking by, mumble about his penis, saying "Ahh, what a beauty! It looks just like a big, fine beef heart."

Gryphon is the only band who have ever managed to get airplay on B.B.C Radios 1,2,3 & 4 in the same week (this record still stands even today)

David Kaffinetti - Keyboard player with early 70's UK proto prog group Rare Bird, played the part of Spinal Tap's ivory tickler Viv Savage.

Jonas Hallberg guitarist of the swedish Simon Says seems to have some habit to record his solos naked.

Great topic although at the same time it's frustrating to realise how little I know...

Edited by Gerinski - December 11 2010 at 03:21

Lozlan wrote: harmonium.ro wrote: Obscure prog farts. This is so going in my signature.

There are two progressive musicians named Peter Robinson with more in common than just their names
           both played keyboards, both started recording with progressive groups in the early seventies period, and even had a similar playing style

Peter Robinson from the UK played in Quatermass, Sun Treader, Brand X, and many others

Peter Robinson from the US played in jazz-rock group Contraband

      both musicians later went on to write music for television and movies

the UK one is now properly known as J. Peter Robinson, and the American is known as Peter Manning Robinson so there is no more potential for confusion

Many years ago--Jon Anderson did something so horrible to Vangelis---that Vangelis has never spoken to him again