"Flash" - 1971 to Present

moshkito wrote: Hi,   I just took a trip back in time ... got the first album and enjoyed it!   One of the liner notes is kinda funny ... what do I need a keyboard for it when I can play the part on the guitar also ... and Peter DOES!

Did you buy a vinyl reissue, or a CD? I don't think I've seen those liner notes. Anything else interesting? Would you consider reproducing them here for us?

Ray says Flash managed live without keyboards and was so energetic they got by, but he thinks it was a bad decision to carry on without and they would have been better with Moraz who auditioned, or someone like him.

presdoug wrote: I did not discover Flash until finding a used lp copy of the debut in the early 90s. I have the first three records, and like them very much. I like them more than Yes, itself, really.

Have you heard the new CD?  Excerpts here: https://soundcloud.com/flashbennettcarter

I played some "new progrock" for Ray last night and he said to me, "If you're not evolving, you become part of the furniture."

He went on to say (I'm paraphrasing now), the only place NEW music comes from is WITHIN an individual.

I say, that's why when you hear truly original music, you can recognize the artist (not a genre). They sound like no one else.

Thanks Sherry

Now I'm pretty sure you're being sarcastic.  You actually don't think Flash was at the top of the heap during their short 70's lifespan.  I was gonna ignore it, but I'm curious...

I'm wondering how old you are, David, and how much you actually know about Flash's history.  Or maybe we just have different definitions of "big," but they certainly satisfy mine.

They performed with most of the top bands of the day playing before hundreds of thousands of people, they toured the world, were on radio and TV, headlined at Lincoln Center in NYC, hit the charts, have had their albums reissued numerous times, and accomplished all this in 2 1/2 years before breaking up, which is the only reason they didn't become the household names some of their peers became.

I wouldn't call that "a smaller band," no.

"They've got guts, they are musicians with the chops and they've got enough insight into the mechanics of music-making to be able to offer more in the way of intelligent, innovative musicianship than nine-tenths of their contemporaries." Gordon Fletcher - ROLLING STONE






Edited by sherrynoland - September 15 2013 at 01:16

By the way, Flash wasn't "a smaller band" at the time.  Remember, they had a Top 30 hit—still rare for a "prog" band.  Capitol was very enthusiastic about them and they were a terrific touring band—better live than on record.

Bubble, or not, it was great time for good music.  And that's why I'm glad they're back!


Edited by sherrynoland - August 18 2013 at 01:23

Were you being sarcastic, Atavachron?  I'm not sure, but don't be deceived by appearances.

Capitol Records spent quite a lot of money.  The band was on a small salary and lots of people were on the payroll.  When all was said and done, I believe Capitol came up short.  The band broke up on the brink of breaking even/pulling ahead.

But what's important to me, is the music.  It's still remembered and enjoyed forty years later.  That's pretty cool, don't you think? 


Edited by sherrynoland - August 21 2013 at 03:21

Flash billboard on the wall outside The Whiskey—Colin, equipment truck, roadies...1972

Colin @ the band house in Upstate NY 1974...

sherrynoland wrote: Another bit of history: BENNETT & BRUFORD'S BREED BLUES BAND BANNED!!!  (Say THAT five times, fast!) Read the newspaper article on the Flash facebook pagehttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=336033629863477&set=a.327862620680578.1073741829.327685400698300&type=1&theater  Seems Ray and Bill's band was a tad bit controversial!!

Bruford looks like he's 12 in that picture.