Kaleidoscope were formed in Acton in 1963 as The Sidekicks but changed their name to The Key in 1965 when they were joined by their new lead singer, Peter Daltrey.
At the beginning of 1967, they signed to Fontana, released their first single, Flight From Ashiya, in a full picture sleeve, to rave reviews, and called themselves Kaleidoscope.
Their debut album, Tangerine Dream (1967), was a psych album blushing with full gorgeous melodies, not least the oboe-led Mr Small The Watch Repairer Man, at once both technicolour and Dickensian.
After a few more singles, their label politely suggested they come up with a hit, or else. So, making a study of the charts, they came up with Jenny Artichoke (1968), inspired by Donovan’s Jennifer Juniper, but that hit still eluded them, and the lads, strapped for cash, began taking part-time jobs and changed their name (again) to Fairfield Parlour.
The new group recorded a concept album called White Faced Lady at their own expense, but their new label, Vertigo, wouldn’t release it. Exhausted and broke, the band called it a day.
The album was finally released in 1991 under the Kaleidoscope name.
Peter Daltrey
Vocals, keyboards Eddy Pumer
Guitar Steve Clark
Bass, flute Danny Bridgman
Drums
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