The Wheels were a 1960s R&B and blues-influenced rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who came from the same music scene that produced the better-known band, Them, led by Van Morrison.[1][2] Their best-known membership consisted of Brian Rossi (keyboards and vocals), Rod Demick (rhythm guitar and vocals), Herbie Armstrong (lead guitar), Tito Tinsley (bass guitar), and Victor Catling (drums).[2][3] Morrison was a member of the band, briefly, before they became known as the Wheels.[2][4] They are best remembered for writing and recording the original version of "Bad Little Woman", later covered in America by The Shadows of Knight.[2]
The band began in 1964, initially known as the Golden Eagles and, for a time, were the house band for the Plaza, a popular local venue.[2] It was during this time that Van Morrison did a brief stint on vocals and saxophone with the band.[1][2][4] Later in 1964, not long after changing their name to the Wheels, they were fired from the Plaza, so, in September of that year, they moved to Blackpool in northern England,[2] where they were able to find another club residency and built a strong local following. In 1965, their original rhythm guitarist, Kit Carson, left to and was replaced by Rod Demick, formerly of Tony and the Telstars. They were signed to a record deal with EMI Columbia in 1965.[1][2]Tommy Scott, who had previously worked with Them, would produce their records for the label.[2][5] at Regent Sound in London, they recorded and released a cover of the Van Morrison-penned "Gloria" in September '65, which had already been recorded by Them, and would later become a big hit in the USA for the blues-based Chicago garage rock band, the Shadows of Knight.[2]
The Wheels later recorded five more songs, two of which would appear on their second single, released in February 1966, featuring "Bad Little Woman."[2][5] A slightly slower, but more intense, version of the song, taken from an outtake, was released simultaneously in the U.S. on the Aurora label in February 1966.[2] Like "Gloria" before, "Bad Little Woman" would also be covered by The Shadows of Knight.[2] Shortly thereafter, Brian Rossi left the band to be replaced by Eric Wrixon, previously of Them, on keyboards.[2][6] It was during this time that the Wheels returned to Regent Sound to cut two songs previously recorded by other acts: "Tell Me (I'm Gonna Love Again)" and "Call My Name" a Tommy Scott composition, which would end up as the b-side to their third single "Kicks" released in August 1966.[2] At the end of the year Rossi would return, giving the Wheels a six-member lineup, but the band broke up in early 1967.[2]
Later developmentsEdit
Later in 1967 former members Rod Demick and Herbie Armstrong played with Screaming Lord Sutch, and recorded two singles for Page One Records as the James Brothers.[2][6] In the early 70s, influenced by acts such as Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young and James Taylor, the two recorded a couple of folk/singer-songwriter albums under the name Rod Demick & Herbie Armstrong.[7] In the late 70s and early 80s, Herbie Armstrong played in Van Morrison's band, both live and in the studio.[6] In 1980, as a solo artist, he recorded an early version of the Van Morrison-penned "Real Real Gone," which Morrison would subsequently record and release as his own version ten years later.[8] In the intervening years, Demick also played with the Strawbs, as well as David Essex.[6] He currently plays with Paul Lamb & the King Snakes.[8] In 1984 former lead singer Brian Rossi died.
PersonnelEdit
Brian Rossi (organ and vocals) (born Brendon Brian Rosebotham, 23 July 1935, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland d. 7 October 1984, Blackpool, Lancashire)
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This article is about the Irish band For other uses see Wheel disambiguation and Wheels disambiguation The Wheels were a 1960s R amp B and blues influenced rock band from Belfast Northern Ireland who came from the same music scene that produced the better known band Them led by Van Morrison 1 2 Their best known membership consisted of Brian Rossi keyboards and vocals Rod Demick rhythm guitar and vocals Herbie Armstrong lead guitar Tito Tinsley bass guitar and Victor Catling drums 2 3 Morrison was a member of the band briefly before they became known as the Wheels 2 4 They are best remembered for writing and recording the original version of Bad Little Woman later covered in America by The Shadows of Knight 2 The WheelsBackground informationAlso known asThe Golden EaglesOriginBelfast Northern IrelandGenresRock R amp B blues garage rockYears active1964 1964 1967 1967 LabelsEMI ColumbiaPast membersBrian Rossi Rod Demick Herbie Armstrong Tito Tinsley Victor Catling Kit Carson Eric Wrixon Van Morrison Contents 1 History 1 1 Years of activity 1 2 Later developments 2 Personnel 3 Discography 4 ReferencesHistory EditYears of activity Edit The band began in 1964 initially known as the Golden Eagles and for a time were the house band for the Plaza a popular local venue 2 It was during this time that Van Morrison did a brief stint on vocals and saxophone with the band 1 2 4 Later in 1964 not long after changing their name to the Wheels they were fired from the Plaza so in September of that year they moved to Blackpool in northern England 2 where they were able to find another club residency and built a strong local following In 1965 their original rhythm guitarist Kit Carson left to and was replaced by Rod Demick formerly of Tony and the Telstars They were signed to a record deal with EMI Columbia in 1965 1 2 Tommy Scott who had previously worked with Them would produce their records for the label 2 5 at Regent Sound in London they recorded and released a cover of the Van Morrison penned Gloria in September 65 which had already been recorded by Them and would later become a big hit in the USA for the blues based Chicago garage rock band the Shadows of Knight 2 The Wheels later recorded five more songs two of which would appear on their second single released in February 1966 featuring Bad Little Woman 2 5 A slightly slower but more intense version of the song taken from an outtake was released simultaneously in the U S on the Aurora label in February 1966 2 Like Gloria before Bad Little Woman would also be covered by The Shadows of Knight 2 Shortly thereafter Brian Rossi left the band to be replaced by Eric Wrixon previously of Them on keyboards 2 6 It was during this time that the Wheels returned to Regent Sound to cut two songs previously recorded by other acts Tell Me I m Gonna Love Again and Call My Name a Tommy Scott composition which would end up as the b side to their third single Kicks released in August 1966 2 At the end of the year Rossi would return giving the Wheels a six member lineup but the band broke up in early 1967 2 Later developments Edit Later in 1967 former members Rod Demick and Herbie Armstrong played with Screaming Lord Sutch and recorded two singles for Page One Records as the James Brothers 2 6 In the early 70s influenced by acts such as Crosby Stills Nash amp Young and James Taylor the two recorded a couple of folk singer songwriter albums under the name Rod Demick amp Herbie Armstrong 7 In the late 70s and early 80s Herbie Armstrong played in Van Morrison s band both live and in the studio 6 In 1980 as a solo artist he recorded an early version of the Van Morrison penned Real Real Gone which Morrison would subsequently record and release as his own version ten years later 8 In the intervening years Demick also played with the Strawbs as well as David Essex 6 He currently plays with Paul Lamb amp the King Snakes 8 In 1984 former lead singer Brian Rossi died Personnel EditBrian Rossi organ and vocals born Brendon Brian Rosebotham 23 July 1935 Belfast County Antrim Northern Ireland d 7 October 1984 Blackpool Lancashire Rod Demick rhythm guitar and vocals born Roderick Joseph Demick 17 May 1947 Prestatyn Flintshire North Wales Herbie Armstrong lead guitar born Herbert Armstrong 14 May 1944 Belfast County Antrim Northern Ireland Tito Tinsley bass born William Tinsley 14 October 1944 Belfast County Antrim Northern Ireland Victor Vic Catling drums born 30 August 1945 Belfast County Antrim Northern Ireland Kit Carson rhythm guitar Eric Wrixon organ Van Morrison vocals and saxophone Discography Edit Gloria Don t You Know EMI Columbia DB 7682 Rel Sept 1965 Bad Little Woman A side to second single EMI Columbia DB 7827 February 1966 Bad Little Woman A side to US release as the Wheel a ways Aurora 157 Feb 1966 Call My Name b side to third single EMI Columbia DB 7981 also shows up on some promo copies of their second single mislabeled as Road Block 2 References Edit a b c Hodgett Trevor Wheel Away the Years Shindig Cambridge England Volcano Publishing 27 51 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Bishop Chris 27 August 2010 The Wheels The Wheel a Ways Garage Hangover Hodgett Trevor Wheel Away the Years Shindig Cambridge England Volcano Publishing 27 a b Rogan Johnny 2006 Van Morrison No Surrender London Vintage Books p 78 ISBN 9780099431831 a b Hodgett Trevor Wheel Away the Years Shindig Cambridge England Volcano Publishing 27 52 a b c d Hodgett Trevor Wheel Away the Years Shindig Cambridge England Volcano Publishing 27 53 Hodgett Trevor Wheel Away the Years Shindig Cambridge England Volcano Publishing 27 54 a b Hodgett Trevor Wheel Away the Years Shindig Cambridge England Volcano Publishing 27 55 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Wheels amp oldid 1146331824, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
