Week of October 25, 1998
Personnel:
Elkie Brooks Keyboards, Vocals
Pete Gage Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
John Hawken Keyboards
Tim Hinkley Keyboards
Robert Palmer Guitar, Vocals
Steve York Harmonica, Bass
Rob Tait Drums
Mike Deacon Keyboards, Vocals
Jim Mullen Guitar
John Woods Drums
Pete Gavin Drums
Albums:
Vinegar Joe (Island Ilps 9183) 1972
Reissued on CD by Edsel, EDCD566, 1998
Rock'n'roll Gypsies (Island Ilps 9214) 1972
Reissued on CD by Lemon, CDLEM15, 2004 and Island, IMCD 93, 1990
Six Star General (Island Ilps 9262) 1973
Reissued on CD by Lemon, CDLEM3, 2003
Compilations:
Speed Queen of Ventura: An Introduction to Vinegar Joe, Island, IMCD292, 2002
Six Star Gypsies, Edsel, EDCD359, 1993
45s:
Never Met A Dog/Speed Queen Of Ventura (Island WIP 6125) 1972
Rock'n'Roll Gypsies/So Long (Island WIP 6148) 1972
Black Smoke From The Calumet/Long Way Round (Island WIP 6174) 1973
This R&B based rock outfit was the launching pad for the careers of Elkle Brooks and Robert Palmer. Formed with much encouragement from Island Records boss Chris Blackwell, it rose from the ashes of short-lived jazz-rock combo Dada. Robert Palmer had previously sung with Alan Bown; Elkie Brooks had previously had an unsuccessful solo career and Gage had been with The Zephyrs and then Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band. Their gutsy musical style ensured they were a popular live attraction, but although their records were solid enough they had difficulty translating their live sound onto vinyl. They split up late in 1973 and Palmer and Brooks both went on to successful solo careers.
Taken from The Tapestry of Delights - The
Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and
Progressive Eras 1963-1976, Vernon Joynson
ISBN 1 899855 04 1