Summary
Marcus Hook Roll Band were a rock group formed in London in 1972, by Harry Vanda and George Young (both ex-the Easybeats) as a session band to record their songwriting efforts. The group had two versions from London and Sydney – formed in mid-1973, when Vanda and Young returned to Australia. They issued three singles – "Natural Man" (1972), "Louisiana Lady" (1973) and "Can't Stand the Heat" (1974) – and one album – Tales of Old Grand-Daddy (1974). It is noted for featuring Malcolm and Angus Young prior to forming AC/DC.
Marcus Hook Roll Band | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Years active | 1972–1974 |
| Labels | |
| Spinoffs | |
| Spinoff of | The Easybeats |
| Past members |
|
History edit
Harry Vanda and George Young (both ex-the Easybeats) returned to London in 1970 to work as Vanda & Young, "freelance song writers, session men and producers".[1] From 1970 to 1971 the duo worked on a number of one-off projects with George's older brother Alex Young on saxophone (as George Alexander): Paintbox, Tramp, Moondance, Eddie Avana, Haffy's Whiskey Sour and the briefly reformed Grapefruit.[1][2] While in London they released two singles, "Natural Man" (August 1972) and "Louisiana Lady" (March 1973) as Marcus Hook Roll Band with Wally Waller producing for EMI.[1][2][3] For the London recordings the Marcus Hook Roll Band were Vanda on guitar and vocals, George on vocals, rhythm guitar, piano and bass guitar, Alex on saxophone, Iain Campbell on bass guitar and Freddie Smith on drums.[1][4] In 1973 Vanda and Young returned to Australia.[1]
The second version of Marcus Hook Roll Band were formed in Sydney in mid-1973 with Vanda and Young joined by Waller on electric piano, George's younger brothers Angus Young on guitar and Malcolm Young on guitar as well as John Proud on drums and Howard Casey on saxophone. The project released one album, Tales of Old Grand-Daddy (March 1974), which was originally issued only in Australia on Albert Productions/EMI.[1][2][3] Many of the details surrounding Tales of Old Grand-Daddy remain forgotten due to excessive alcohol consumption during the recording sessions.[5][6] Its tracks had been recorded at EMI Studios between July and August 1973.[4] By the time the album had appeared Angus and Malcolm had already formed AC/DC in Sydney.[2] Tales of Old Grand-Daddy was released in 1979 as Marcus Hook Roll Band with an extra track and new cover art in the United States on Capitol's "green label" budget series (#SN-11991);[1][3] in the wake of Vanda & Young's Flash and the Pan album. They also released a third single "Can't Stand the Heat" / "Moonshine Blues" in 1974.[2] Tales of Old Grand-Daddy was re-issued in 1981, titled Full File, with two non-album singles added.[2][3] A CD version of the album was also re-issued in 1994 through Albert Productions/Sony Music,[3] and again on 2 June 2014, with two unreleased songs added.[4][6]
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [7] | ||
| Tales of Old Grand-Daddy | 89 |
Singles edit
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Natural Man" | 1972 | Non-album singles |
| "Louisiana Lady" | 1973 | |
| "Can't Stand the Heat" | 1974 | Tales of Old Grand-Daddy |
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g McFarlane, Ian (2017). "Marcus Hook Roll Band". Third Stone Press. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry of 'Flash and the Pan'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Australian Rock Database entries:
- Marcus Hook Roll Band: Holmgren, Magnus. "Marcus Hook Roll Band". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 11 March 2004. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- Vanda and Young: Holmgren, Magnus. "Vanda and Young". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 24 February 2004. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Parlophone Records; Albert Productions. Tales of Old Grand-Daddy (CD booklet). Marcus Hook Roll Band. 9-397601-000487. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Kielty, Martin (20 March 2014). "AC/DC Young Brothers' First Album Gets Re-Release". Classic Rock. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b Childers, Chad (20 March 2014). "Early Recordings from AC/DC's Young Brothers to Get Re-Release". Loudwire. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 191. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.