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Brian JohnsonLead Vocals Born: 24 May 1950 Place of Birth: Mile End, London |
Because Brian Johnson was one of the original members of Pebbles there's not really much information relating to his career pre- Angel/Pebbles. But as he was a founding member of the band that would eventually evolve to be Angel it is worth using this space to document the progress of Pebbles . The band was formed in 1966 with the original line up featuring two lead vocalists: Keith (Budgie) Radford and Brian. Before long Keith left and the band adopted the four piece line-up that, despite personnel changes on all instruments, would endure (other than for a three month period in 1973 when it expanded to a five piece). Throughout the various incarnations it was only Brian's vocals that gave the band a thread of continuity. With John Brown on bass, Trevor Mee on lead guitar and Kenny Rickard (no relation to Steve) on drums Pebbles played the local venues around the Upminster & Romford area. In 1967 they regularly appeared on the university circuit alongside bands such as Wainwright's Gentlemen (later Sweet ) and The Brian Auger Trinity . Guitarist Adrian Baker (now with the Beach Boys ) took over on lead guitar in 1968 and Pebbles released two singles with EMI: Peter The Painter Man and C'mon Marrianne. They also covered The Proud One long before the Osmonds topped the charts in the 1970s. The band was always kept busy and toured with Dave Dee, Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich and The Flirtations . With Adrian 's ear for harmonies complementing his formal musical background the band acquired a distinct tight vocal sound. In 1969 Roy Morgan joined on drums and became the driving force not only on stage but also on the management side. He immediately arranged for the Barry Collings agency to represent the band. Pebbles began touring extensively throughout the UK and soon became recognized as Britain 's No 1 vocal harmony group. The band became regulars on Radio 1 and Radio 2 where they provided the live recordings needed on a daily basis. They released three records all of which were penned by the prolific songwriting duo Ken Howard & Alan Blaikley. The first single, Stand Up and be Counted , charted in Australia and New Zealand but, along with the two follow ups Goodnight Ma (don't turn the light on) and First Time Loving, made little impact back in the UK despite having extensive airplay on Radio Luxemboug and the pirate station Radio Caroline.
By the end of 1971 the music scene was very different to when Pebbles had started out. It was the beginning of the glam rock period and it signaled the need for a major change in the band's style. That change came about when Brian and Roy joined forces with Joe Ryan & Martin Kemp from Finian's Rainbow. The band held on to the name Pebbles but the sound developed a distinctively punchier style. In the summer of 1972 Brian and Martin (under the name Mark & John ) provided the vocals on a Howard/Blaikley composition entitled This One's For You . The number was recorded at Advision studios in London with a 53 piece orchestra and was released on Jonathon King's UK label. Although it was played extensively on ‘Radio North Sea International' (one of the last pirate stations) it failed to make the UK charts and was not followed up. Pebbles continued to tour and to record the BBC sessions but failed to secure a recording contract during this period. After a two week club performance in Switzerland it was time for another change. Kenny Rickard filled in on drums for a few weeks until the arrival, from Cornwall , of Clive Jury. This line up never worked out and top local drummer Steve Rickard soon took over. During the following year the band spent three months working on the ‘Wheatley Taverns' circuit of music venues in and around London. Chris Weakes was recruited on keyboards and the band settled into a residency at Crackers nightclub in the West End of London. When the residency ended Pebbles returned to its traditional four piece line up and went back on the road until September 1973 when the band split up. Brian then sang with a ‘big band' until March 1974 when Pebbles re-formed as Angel. When Angel broke up Brian moved to Belgium where he fronted top Benelux group Octopus . After four years, during which time they scored five hit singles and an album, Brian returned to the UK as lead vocalist with Vanity Fair . He went on to front White Plains and performed more than 3000 shows. Brian now performs mainly in the North of England as a solo artist and continues to do session work.
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