Superb drummer from Australia. He started his career in a New Zealand band called The Librettos in the mid sixties. The band had several lineup changes, and Craig replaced Dave Diver:
This lineup released a couple of singles, 'I cry / She's a go-go', and 'Rescue me / What do you want to make those eyes at me for', both released in 1966. After a tour in New Zealand, Lou Parun leaves them in April 1966. They carried on as a trio:Brian Peacock (vocals, bass)
Rod Stone (guitar, vocals)
Lou Parun (guitar, vocals)
Craig Collinge (drums)
A new single was released, 'Kicks / Whatcha gonna do about it'. Another song was recorded, 'It's loving time', but it remained unreleased until 1997, when the compilation Let's go with The Librettos was issued. This was a release of their only album (where Craig didn't appear), plus most of their singles as bonus tracks.Brian Peacock (vocals, bass)
Rod Stone (guitar, vocals)
Craig Collinge (drums)
Then, Peacock and Stone joined another famous Australian band, Normie Rowe & The Playboys. At the end of 1966, Craig formed his own trio, The Knack:
But soon later, he rejoined old mate Brian Peacock in The Playboys. They soon changed their name into Procession in 1967:Terry Chapman (bass)
Craig Collinge (drums)
+ another one unknown to me. Help!
They released a live album, Live at Sebastian's (with Penelope). They were quite famous there, with regular appearances in a TV show called 'Uptight'.Mick Rogers (vocals, guitar, bass)
Brian Peacock (vocals, guitar, bass)
Trevor Griffin (keyboards, vocals)
Craig Collinge (drums)
After that, they decided leaving Australia for England. They recorded a 2nd album, Procession, produced by Mike Hugg (from Manfred Mann). This would lead to important connections for the band members.
In 1969, Brian Peacock leaves, being replaced by Ross Wilson:
But it was the beginning of the end for Procession. In April 1969, when Mike Hugg and Manfred Mann started a side project, called Emanon, Craig was the chosen drummer: They made their live debut at London's ICA on April 1969, with an extended lineup featuring a big horn section: They recorded a commercial TV jingle for Michelin. In June 1969, Manfred Mann (the band) disbanded, so Mann and Hugg were free to develop their project full time. So, Emanon turned into Manfred Mann Chapter Three.Mick Rogers (vocals, guitar)
Ross Wilson (vocals, guitar)
? (bass)
Trevor Griffin (keyboards, vocals)
Craig Collinge (drums)
They made their first appearance in October 1969 using this new band name.
They released a first album, Manfred Mann Chapter Three, that sadly didn't sell. Also featuring contributions by famed arranger Derek Wadsworth. The horn players in the album were Sonny Corbett (trumpet), Harold Beckett (trumpet), Ian Fenby (harmonica), Phil Kenzie (sax), Chris Pyne (trombone), Dave Quincy (sax, from the band If). With fantastic guest vocalists, the lovely ones Madeline Bell, Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie. The album has been reissued on CD with 4 bonus tracks.They started recording their 2nd album, Manfred Mann Chapter Three Volume Two, but Craig Collinge left them during the sessions. This was 1970.
In 1972, he joins 'subversive' band Third World War, in time to record their 2nd album with them, Third World War II. This was the lineup:
Around 1973, Jim McCarty (from The Yardbirds and Renaissance fame) formed a new band, called Shoot:They released an album, On the frontier, before disbanding. The album was recorded with help from B.J. Cole (steel guitar), Bob Birtles (horns), Lyn Dobson (horns), Graham Preskett (violin).Jim McCarty (vocals, keyboards)
Dave Greene (vocals, guitar)
Bill Russell (bass)
Craig Collinge (drums)
In October 1973, when Fleetwood Mac disbanded, their manager put a bogus band, to fulfill the tour schedule. Craig Collinge was the drummer:
The manager was sued, and the band ceased their activity quite soon, in January 1974.Elmer Gantry (vocals, guitar)
Kirby Gregory (guitar)
Paul Martinez (bass)
John Wilkinson (keyboards)
Craig Collinge (drums)
And, unfortunately, I've never heard or read any other thing about him, until year 2001, when he's spotted again in a new band called The Big Band-Infinity:
Craig Collinge (keyboards)
Al Matthews ()
Owen Reynolds ()
QUESTIONS:
1. I need to confirm if Craig
plays in the 2nd album by Manfred Mann Chapter Three
Very special thanks to:
Special thanks to: Lou Parun, for info about The Librettos; Nick Karathanassis, for very extensive info on Craig's Australian bands.
Thanks to: ...
If you can contribute (with additions, corrections, opinions, etc.), please, send me an e-mail message at mterol@myrealbox.com
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