Family aren’t remembered with the same misty-eyed nostalgia as other early 1970s road warriors like The Faces or Traffic – Roger Chapman’s desperate yodel and the band’s frequent oddness put some off. But they were a compelling live act.
The Farinas were formed by rock guitarist Richard John Whitney while attending Leicester Art College in 1962.
Playing rhythm and blues in local venues, the group featured Jim King on saxophone and vocals, Tim Kirchin on bass and drummer Harry Ovenall before being signed to Fontana and releasing You Better Stop in 1964.
The B-side was their take on Chris Kenner’s I Like It Like That.
Tim was replaced by Ric Grech and Roger Chapman joined as lead vocalist and in 1966 they renamed themselves Family.
After their first two albums, Music In A Doll’s House and Family Entertainment, and the departure of original bassist Rick Grech (who defected to Blind Faith), Family settled down to working mainly in Britain.
Weavers Answer from their second album, was a hit single for the band a year after the album came out. Despite this – and singles success with In My Own Time and No Mules Fool, they never tailored their music to the singles market.
Their album’s Fearless, Anyway (half of which was recorded live) and Burlesque stand as a good legacy for the band.
Roger Chapman Vocals
John Whitney Guitar, vocals
Rob Townshend Drums
John Weider Bass, violin
Jim King Saxophone, flute
John ‘Poli’ Palmer Keyboards
John Wetton Bass, vocals
Jim Gregan Bass
Tony Ashton Keyboards
Ric Grech Bass Harry Ovenall Drums
Related Posts
Jonesy Canterbury brothers Trevor and John Evan-Jones started playing music together at a very early age, and when their family emigrated…
Ginger Baker's Airforce Their self-titled double live album (recorded at the Royal Albert Hall) was recorded in 1970 and featured Steve Winwood, Ric…
Kansas Kansas started out as a bar band playing cover versions of contemporary songs and soul oldies in the American state…
Jook Formed in 1971, Jook were the brainchild of Sparks manager John Hewlett, who introduced guitarist Trevor White to singer-songwriter Ian Kimmett and…
Blood, Sweat & Tears This eight-piece group was the brainchild of Al Kooper, former Bob Dylan sideman, Brill Building songsmith and kingpin of The Blues…
Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band This group was something of an Australian institution - which started out playing to hippies and found itself playing for punks. In its various…
Brewers Droop Brewers Droop formed around High Wycombe in 1971. They played blues-based music and gigged extensively in the early days of…
Cactus After the Jeff Beck Group splintered in 1969, the guitarist and Rod Stewart planned a supergroup with former Vanilla Fudge…
