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Then...

... and Now

Henry McCollough: Guitar

Henry has played with Frankie Miller, Joe Cocker, The Grease Band, Paul McCartney and Wings, Roy Harper, Marianne Faithfull, Leon Russell, Ronnie Lane, Donovan, Andy Fairweather-Lowe, Spooky Tooth, Viola Wills, Bobby Harrison, Gerry Lockran, Hinkley's Heros, Eric Bell, Denny Laine, Eric Burdon, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Pink Floyd, Sweeney's Men, Eire Apparent, Last Bandits, Rosetta Hightower, Fleadh Cowboys, Teresa Brewer and Terry Clarke.

Ray Minhinnett: Guitar

Ray has played with Frankie Miller's Full House, Highway, Phoenix, John Coghlan's Diesel Band, Panama Ltd, Ray Minhinnet's UK Busters, Ray Minhinnet Band, Minhinnet Young & Moody, Ray Minhinnet Band (again), Cream'd, BEST BRITISH BLUES SONGWRITER AWARD. and nominated by Blueprint Magazine for “BEST BRITISH BLUES GUITARIST”alongside Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, and Gary Moore.

Mal Mortimore: Drums

Mal has played with Frankie Miller, lan Dury, Tom Jones & Van Morrison, Chris Jagger, Mick & Chris Jagger, Gentle Giant, Bobby Womack, Tina Turner, Flaco Haminez, Arthur Brown, Brian James, Lived in Woodstock USA retained by Albert Grossman playing with amongst others Paul Buttertield and The Old Grey Whistle Test form Woodstock.

Mal's Discography: Rock 'n' Roll - lan Dury, Tom Jones & Van Morrison, Chris Jagger, Mick Jagger, Gentle Giant, Bobby Womack, Frankie Miller, Tina Turner, Flaco Haminez, Arthur Brown, Brian James; Lived in Woodstock USA retained by Albert Grossman playing with amongst others Paul Buttertield. Variety - Eric Morcambe, Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse, Jimmy Tarbuck, Diana Dors, Vera Lynne. Jazz - Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, Buddy Tate, Bob Haggard, Spike Heatley, Oliver Jones, Maxine Sullivan, Selena Jones, Scot Hamilton, Ruby Braff.

A short list of gigs and concerts: The Dali Lama's birthday party at Alexandra Palace, Red Rocks, Denver, Colorado, Chicago Fest, Chicago, The John Peel Show at the BBC, Top of the Pops, The Old Grey Whistle Test from Woodstock USA, Hyde Park Festival, Reading Jazz and Blues Festival, BBC Jazz Club radio broadcasts
TV Young Jazz Musician of the Year, TV Jazz in Concert, The late King Hussains parties at his house at Ascot, Liverpool FC, Anfield, on the pitch before the match, Connan O'brian Show from Radio City New York USA, HM The Queen at Windsor Castle and elsewhere, Niel Diamond concert, Dublin, 2002 commemorate 9/11.

MM is a keen sportsman. His credits include: Record for the slowest ever lap of the Isle of Man T.T. circuit. And on the piste, the slowest ever downhill run on the OK run at Vail Deseir (with broken collar bone)

Dave Bronze: Bass

Since his early semi-pro days gigging around the south-east of England, Dave Bronze has played around the world in just about every place that music is played. In a career spanning almost three decades, Dave has appeared, on record or on stage, alongside such household names as The Art Of Noise, Belinda Carlisle, Paul Carrack, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Bo Diddley, Duane Eddy, Andy Fairweather Low, Dr. Feelgood, Bryan Ferry, Nik Kershaw, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Billy Preston, Procol Harum, Ringo Starr and Robin Trower. He can be seen playing alongside Eric Clapton in the "Live in Hyde Park" DVD, and the multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning tribute to George Harrison, "Concert For George". Although touring is a major part of Dave's life, he is also active as a record producer and songwriter.

"I used Markbass gear on the Robin Trower German tour, and I must say, it blew me away. It is without doubt the best sounding bass gear I have heard for a long, long time. Previously I have stayed away from fully endorsing any equipment in order to be free to change whenever I wanted. But now, this stuff is so good that I can't see the need to change ever again!"

Dave has played with The Art Of Noise, Belinda Carlisle, Paul Carrack, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Bo Diddley, Duane Eddy, Andy Fairweather Low, Dr. Feelgood, Bryan Ferry, Nik Kershaw, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Billy Preston, Procol Harum, Ringo Starr and Robin Trower. He can be seen playing alongside Eric Clapton in the "Live in Hyde Park" DVD, and the multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning tribute to George Harrison, "Concert For George".

Chris Parren: Keys

Chris has played with Midnight Flyer as a replacement for John Cook, Forever Amber, J.J. Jackson, Jack McDuff, 'Nickelodeon', an album by Hudson-Ford, Jim Capaldi, Paul Kossoff, Barry Beckett, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Jimmy Johnson and Dean Parks. Chris also played keyboards on a number of subsequent Jim Capaldi albums such as 'Electric Nights' album from 1979, ‘The Sweet Smell Of Success' (1980), 'Let the Thunder Cry' (1981), 'Fierce Heart' (May 83), 'One Man Mission' (1984) and 'Some Come Running' (December 88). Other musicians appearing on these albums were Steve Winwood, Van Morrison, Steve Marriott, Carlos Santana, Snowy White, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke among many others.

Johnny Gilbert: Vocals

Johnny has played with Cochise, Manfred Mann's Earth Band and The Guitar Orchestra featuring Mick Grabham.

Paul Cox: Vocals

Paul Cox Band (Radio 2 /Jazz FM says " the best voice in the UK")

The former lead guitarist from Paul McCartney’s Wings and Joe Cocker’s Grease Band has a pedigree that takes in just about every facet of rock and touches on some of its most glorious moments, including an appearance at Woodstock. Now living back home in Northern Ireland Henry continues to amaze audiences with his playing wherever he goes.

The Grease Band 1975 from the cover of Amazing Grease. That's Henry on the right. The others are Alan Spenner (vocals and bass), Bruce Rowland (drums) and Neil Hubbard (guitar and slide guitar). Guest musicians on the album were Chris Stainton, Mick Weaver, Mel Collins and Terry Stannard.

Excert from recent interview with David Lindley. Henry is interviewed in the same issue. www.tonequest.com

Tone Quest: Lets finish with your most significant influence in terms of electric guitar and tone.

David Lindley: Out of all the people we used to call the "tone guys", Henry McCullough from The Grease Band. It just sounded right. He has the best guitar tone. Rory Gallagher also got a fabulous sound, but Henry McCullough got this elegant, round, not-too-nasty tone. He was the guy that really set me off.

HENRY'S BIOGRAPHY

The career of Henry McCullough cuts through just about every conceivable facet of rock music, and touches upon some of its most glorious moments.

Growing up in the seaside resort of Portstewart, Henry's first musical venture was as guitarist with Irish showband The Skyrockets and the years to follow found him doing the dance hall circuit with similar outfits, including the popular Gene and the Gents.

When the blues boom hit Ireland, Henry became involved with the rougher side of music through the outfit that were to become Eire Apparent. Managed for a time by Chas Chandler, Eire Apparent were one of the many bands to take part in package tours of Britain, alongside groups like The Move, Pink Floyd, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Amen Corner... After an untimely exit from the band, Henry nailed down some of the finest mix of traditional and rock with his work as part of the legendary Sweeney's Men. It is said that this line-up more or less invented the concept of Folk-Rock.

He then drifted to London where he became steeped in the blues scene, rubbing shoulders with some of the greats of the genre who were just coming to the attention of the British revivalists. An encounter with a young Sheffield singer led to a job and Henry's first brush with the realIy big time - as part of Joe Cocker's Grease Band. Tours and albums followed quickly, including an appearance at Woodstock and a lengthy period of work in the States.

Morocco 1973. (L-R) Denny Seiwell, Paul, Linda, Denny Laine, Henry.

Breaking with Cocker, Henry and The Grease Band continued to mune a gritty blues vein that made them a live favourite that has rarely been equalled.
He found himself auditioning for a gig with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Henry, along with Denny Seiwell, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney were the first - and many say best incarnation of Wings. He embellished the single 'My Love' with a graceful solo that is one of the all-time guitar gems and shows once and for all the expressive power of the instrument.
At one Wings session at Abbey Road when Pink Floyd were in the studio next door, Henry made a spoken contribution to the classic Dark Side of the Moon.

But musical differences with the headstrong Macca followed, and Henry made the decision to leave. Following his instinct for rock he ended up in some very good company, playing guitar and gigging with the Roy Harper, Marianne Faithfull, Ronnie Lane, Donovan, Frankie Miller, Eric Burdon, Viola Wills, Spooky Tooth...

During a visit back home to see his family in the early 80s, an accident with a knife almost cost Henry his livelihood, severing tendons in his playing hand. The enforced lay-off allowed Henry to re-evaluate his life and his career, and he took the decision to stay at home in Ireland. The road to recovery was almost complete when Henry started sitting in with the Fleadh Cowboys for their now legendary Sunday afternoon residency in The Lower Deck in Dublin. It soon became apparent that Henry’s contribution was an attraction in itself, so he formed his own band and toured Ireland in 1988.

In the 90’s Henry moved back to Portstewart and formed a new band with Percy Robinson on pedal steel and Roe Butcher on bass and Liam Bradley on drums. More recently the band has featured James Delaney on keys, Chrissy Stewart (Frankie Miller Band) on bass, Chris Probst on guitar and Tony Phillips on Drums.

In 1998 he went to Poland, where he rehearsed a band of Polish session musicians for a tour. At the end of the tour, they went into a studio and played ‘live’ for an afternoon. A resulting CD, Blue Sunset was consequently released in Poland, and was followed up by a further successful Polish tour.

On returning home, Henry decided that it was time to do record a few studio tracks. With help and encouragement from his many friends, he released 'Failed Christian', a harrowing self penned song that has since been covered by Nick Lowe on his latest Demon album, 'Dig My Mood'.

In the summer of ‘99 Henry was devastated when his beloved 1963 cherry red Gibson ES335 went missing from a British Midlands flight between Warsaw and Heathrow. However, he still has his gold-top Les Paul that he played at Woodstock.

Henry McCullough is justifiably one of rock’s most legendary figures. Check him out live sometime and be convinced for yourself.

Confessions Of A Legend by Colin Harper. (Irish News - 4th December '98)

Eight McCullough originals sit alongside songs by his former colleagues Paul McCartney, Ronnie Lane and Frankie Miller, and lifelong influences like Bob Dylan and Fats Domino. This is the album that Henry has long been waiting to make...

1. The Last Of The Bluemen (McCullough)
2. Josies In The Garden (McCullough)
3. Kuschty Rye (Lane / Lambert)
4. Belfast To Boston (McCullough)
5. I Couldn't Sleep For Thinking Of Hank Williams (McCullough)
6. Ould Piece Of Wood (McCullough)
7. Big Barn Bed (McCartney)
8. Peacock's Waltz (McCullough)
9. Hollis Brown (Dylan)
10. I'd Rather Die Young (Beasley / Vaughan / Wood)
11. Let The Four Winds Blow (Domino / Bartholomew)
12. Drunken Nights In The City (Miller)
13. Tumble Dry (McCullough)
14. Failed Christian (McCullough)

complete discography of Henry's studio work to date
Joe Cocker - Star Portrait
Spooky Tooth - Star Portrait
Joe Cocker - With a Little Help From My Friends
Joe Cocker - Joe Cocker (1969)
Joe Cocker - Happy Cocker (1970)
Spooky Tooth - Last Puff (1970)
Rosetta Hightower - Hightower (1970)
Grease Band - Grease Band (1971)
Jesus Christ Superstar - Soundtrack (1971)
Jackie Flavelle - Admission Free (1972)
Dave Carlsen - Pale Horse (1973)
Donovan - Essence to Essence (1973)
Wings - Red Rose Speedway (1973)
Joe Cocker - I Can Stand a Little Rain (1974)
Andy Fairweather Lowe - Spider Jiving (1974)
Goodear Records - Sampler (1975)
Viola Wills - Soft Centres (retitled Without You) (1974)
The Grease Band - Amazing Grease (1975)
Henry McCullough - Mind Your Own Business (1975)
Spooky Tooth - The Best of Spooky Tooth (1975)
Frankie Miller - The Rock (1975)
Bobby Harrison - Funkist (1975)
Gerry Lockran - Rags to Gladrags (1976)
Evita - Soundtrack (1976)
Roy Harper - One Of These Days In England (retitled Bullinamingvase) (1977)
Marianne Faithfull - Faithless (1978)
Steve Ellis - The Last Angry Man (1978) (Cassette only)
Ronnie Lane - See Me (1980)
Eric Burdon - Darkness Darkness (1980)
Denny Laine - Japanese Tears (1980)
Joe Cocker - Joe Cocker collection (1982)
Henry McCullough - All Shook Up (1982), Maxi Single
Henry McCullough - Hell of A Record (1984)
Henry McCullough - Cut (1987)
Henry McCullough - Get In The Hole (Live) (1989)
Roy Harper - Commercial Breaks (1994) (Recorded 1977)
Various - Alive in Belfast. The Warehouse Sessions (1995)
Joe Cocker & the Grease Band - On Air (1997) (Recorded 1968)
Henry McCullough - Blue Sunset (1998)
Linda McCartney - Wide Prairie (1998) (Recorded 1971)
Henry McCullough - Failed Christian (November 1998)
Brendan Quinn - Small Town (2001)
Henry McCullough - Belfast To Boston (August 2001)
Kevin Doherty - Sweet Water (2002)
Richard Gilpin - Beautiful Mistake (2002)
Henry McCullough - Unfinished Business (November 2002)
Rev Neil Down - When A Wrong Turns Right (2003)