Long John Baldry

Long John Baldry, (January 12, 1941 – July 21, 2005) was a pioneering British blues musician. He played with and influenced many notable British musicians with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry at various stages of the 1960's. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where "Let The Heartaches Begin" reached #1 in 1967 and in Australia where his duet with Kathi McDonald "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin" reached the top 5 of the charts in 1980. Baldry lived in Canada from the late 1970s until his death, where he continued to make records and do voiceover work.

Blues bands 1960's

Born John William Baldry in England, he grew to a towering 2.01 m (6 ft, 7 in) that resulted in the nickname "Long" John. (1) Blessed with a deep, rich voice, he was one of the first British vocalists to sing blues music in clubs.

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In the early 1960s, he sang with Alexis Korner's band Blues Incorporated with whom he recorded the first British blues album in 1962 R&B at the Marquee. At various stages, Mick Jagger, Jack Bruce and Charlie Watts were members of this band while Keith Richards and Brian Jones played on stage with them although none of these musicians played on the R&B at the Marquee album. The Rolling Stones supported Baldry in their first concert at the Marquee Club. (2)

Related Topics:
1960s - Alexis Korner - Blues Incorporated - Mick Jagger - Jack Bruce - Charlie Watts - Keith Richards - Brian Jones - The Rolling Stones

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Eric Clapton has said that he was inspired to become a musician after seeing Baldry played live. Baldry became friends with Paul McCartney after playing a show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in the early 1960s leading to an invitation to play on one of The Beatles 1964 TV specials. (3)

Related Topics:
Eric Clapton - Paul McCartney - Cavern Club - The Beatles

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In 1963, Baldry joined the Cyril Davies R&B All Stars with Jimmy Page on guitar and Nicky Hopkins playing piano. He took over the group in 1964 after the death of Cyril Davies which became Long John Baldry and his Hoochie Coochie Men featuring Rod Stewart doing vocals and Geoff Bradford on guitar. Rod Stewart was recruited after Baldry heard him busking a Muddy Waters song at a railway station. (4)

Related Topics:
Cyril Davies R&B All Stars - Jimmy Page - Nicky Hopkins - Geoff Bradford - Busking - Muddy Waters

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In 1965, the Hoochie Coochie Men became "Steampacket" with Baldry and Stewart as male vocalists, Julie Driscoll as the female vocalist and Brian Auger on Hammond organ. After Steampacket broke up in 1966, Baldry formed Bluesology featuring Reg Dwight on keyboards and Elton Dean later of Soft Machine. Reg Dwight decided to adopt the name Elton John taking his first name from Dean and his surname from Baldry's first name. (5)

Related Topics:
Julie Driscoll - Brian Auger - Hammond organ - Elton Dean - Soft Machine

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