GEOFF WHITEHORN


 
NEW! - BENEFIT CONCERT
My great friend Alex Gitlin, webmaster of the Official Eddie Hardin website, has told me about this: 

A Tony Ashton benefit concert is going to be held at the EMI Abbey Road Studios in London on Friday 16th, June 2000.  

The ads are stating: "In recognition of his service to music & art above and beyond the call of duty free, and to celebrate his recovery from his recent illness, we would like to invite you to witness a unique musical testimonial to our old friend TONY ASHTON". 

"Those taking part will include: Pete York, Geoff Whitehorn, Chris Barber, Eddie Hardin, Zoot Money, MASH, Johnny Johnson, Dave Williams, Bernie Marsden, Mick Moody, John Entwhistle, Zac (sic) Starkey, Joe Brown, Jon Lord and Ian Paice." 

Space is limited and admission is strictly by ticket only. 

If you want more details, you can visit Eddie Hardin's site at: 

http://www.eddiehardin.com 

(check the 'News' section, and you'll read Eddie Hardin comments on the subject) 


FRESH NEWS:

A website devoted to this concert has been just set up:

http://www.tonyashton.co.uk/
 

Biography

Bands/Discography:

Solo albums: An amazing guitarist. Pick any album including his name, and you won't be disappointed! He also has his own solo albums, as we're going to see.

Geoff Whitehorn was born on August, 29, 1951. He started when he was a boy in a band called The Sunbeats. But his first professional band was If.
 

IF 

A superb band. After several albums, the original lineup split, but some months later, with sax player Dick Morrisey as the only remaining member, he recruited young talented musicians. In August 1973, this was the new lineup:

They released an album called Not just a bunch of pretty faces, with help from bassist Walt Monaghan (from Mick Abrahams Band).They stayed in London four months to do concerts with If and to record Not Just Another Bunch Of Pretty Faces, before starting their American and Canadian tour. The album was recorded with help from bassist Walt Monaghan (from Mick Abrahams Band), who was to substitute Mike Tomich sometime later. Their following (and last) album was called Tea break is over, back on your 'eads. After several succesful tours, they finally call it a day in 1975.
 
HELP, PLEASE!!
I'm trying to locate a copy of a televised If concert. The concert was held in the States in 1974 (or maybe even 1975). It was held in the Midwest of Eastern America, and on the same ticket was The Eagles, Chamber Bros., Stories and Renaissance. It was hosted by legendary Wolfman Jack.
Please, I need to locate a copy of this concert. If someone can help me, please, write me to  mterol@gva.es 
 

Images/scans available (courtesy of Alex Gitlin):

The following images/scans are available through the courtesy of Gabriel Magno. Please note, he holds the copyright on them:
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Gabriel Magno
Mike Tomich
Walt Monaghan
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Dick Morrisey
Cliff Davies
MAGGIE BELL 

After the demise of her band, Stone the Crows, she started a solo career. Geoff joins her band in 1975.

They toured the States opening for Bad Company (this will lead to some important contacts for Geoff, as we'll read...).
 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Maggie Bell
FANTASY 

This was a band formed around 1970. They split in 1974, but in 1976, their singer brings the band to life again with a new lineup, including Geoff:

They recorded six tracks before splitting, and they were never released. But in 1994, a CD called Vivariatum has been issued including these 6 tracks, plus six tracks from the original lineup from 1970.

Images/scans available (courtesy of Alex Gitlin):

 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Paul Lawrence
David Read
Nick Page
Malcolm Page
CRAWLER 

The band Back Street Crawler was commanded by the great Paul Kossoff. But he sadly died on March 1976. So the band found an adequate replacement with Geoff. Shortening the name to Crawler, and with some lineup changes, they were:

Geoff also appears in last album by Back Street Crawler, called Second street, to finish some of parts that Paul Kossoff couldn't record due to his sad death.

As Crawler, they started a new tour in May 1976. Sometimes, they played low-key gigs under the name The Rhythm Kings. Their first album was called Crawler, with help from Chris Wood (flute, from Traffic) and Stevie Lange (backing vocals). It was followed by a second one, named Snake rattle and roll. But sometime later, they split in 1979.

Several years later was released a live album from that lineup, called Pastime dreamer, containing a concert from 1978. And, recently, it has appeared another live album, Concert classics vol. 10.

Images/scans available (courtesy of Alex Gitlin):

 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Terry Wilson-Slesser
Terry Wilson
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
John 'Rabbit' Bundrick
Tony Braunagel
FILTHY McNASTY 

A band for great singer Chris Thompson.

In April 1978, they played at The Bridge House, Canning Town, London. It was released a collective live album, Live: a week at the Bridge E16, shared with several more bands: Jackie Lynton's Happy Days, Gerry McAvoy Jam, Salt, Remus Down Boulevard and Roll Ups. Filthy McNasty are featured in 3 tracks.

This band evolved quickly into Night in November 1978 (with Chris Thompson, Stevie Lange and Billy Kristian), with Robbie McIntosh instead of Geoff.
 

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Stevie Lange
Billy Kristian
Mike Walker
Clive Edwards
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Chris Thompson
MAGGIE BELL (again) 

For a gig at the Royal Albert Hall, she was backed by a one-off all-star lineup:

This was July 1978. Oh, I wish I was there!!!
 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Maggie Bell
Paul Martinez
Andy Mackay
Someday, these musicians will have a short tribute here:
Jon Lord
Ian Paice
ROGER CHAPMAN & THE SHORTLIST 

In 1979, Geoff joins Roger Chapman for a very long association (he spent almost 10 years with Roger, until 1988, although he also shared these 'duties' with playing with Elkie Brooks).

I haven't been able to find accurate data about the live lineups, so I'll be detailing just the lineups for the albums. Please, anyone who can give me more details, please write to me!!

The first solo album by Roger Chapman was Chappo. Recorded with Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Micky Moody (guitar), Dave Markee (bass), Brian Odgers (bass), Poli Palmer (keyboards), Billy Livsey (keyboards), Ron Aspery (sax), Ray Cooper (percussion), Peter Hope Evans (harmonica), Henry Spinetti (drums), and backing vocals by the late Vicki Brown, George Chandler and Joy Yates.

Next step was to record a live album, with this fantastic lineup:

Live in Hamburg includes energetic renditions of The Rolling Stones ('Let's spend the night together'), Mickey Jupp ('Short list'), and the r'n'classic 'I keep forgettin''.

Next album was Mail order magic, recorded with these musicians: Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Jerome Rimson (bass), John Wetton (bass), Tim Hinkley (keyboards), Poli Palmer (keyboards), Les Binks (drums), John Halsey (drums), Mitch Mitchell (drums).

The album in 1981 is Hyenas only laugh for fun. Recorded with Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Steve Simpson (guitar), Jerome Rimson (bass), John Wetton (bass), Tim Hinkley (keyboards), Poli Palmer (keyboards), Nick Pentelow (sax), Stretch (drums), Alan Coulter (drums).

The band in 1981 was this one:

A new double live album is released with this lineup. Called He was she was you was we was, it includes a cover of Jimi Hendrix's 'Stone free'.

The album from 1983 is called Mango crazy. The lineup is: Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Steve Simpson (guitar), Boz Burrell (bass), Ronnie Leahy (keyboards), Duncan Mackay (keyboards), J. Cook (keyboards), Nick Pentelow (sax), Alan Coulter (drums).

In 1984, Roger Chapman releases The shadow knows, co-produced between him and Geoff. Musicians list is: Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Steve Simpson (guitar), Tony Stevens (bass), Brian Johnston (keyboards), Nick Pentelow (sax), Sam Kelly (drums) and John Lingwood (drums).

Zipper was released in 1985, with Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Tony Stevens (bass), Nick Pentelow (sax), Frank Mead (sax), Bruce Johnston (keyboards), John Lingwood (drums), and backing vocals by Helen Chappelle, Vicky Brown and Sam Brown (mother and daughter). Also co-produced by Geoff.

Techno-prisoners was released in 1986, with Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Steve Simpson (guitar), Boz Burrell (bass), Tim Hinkley (keyboards), Nick Pentelow (sax), Poli Palmer (keyboards), Henry Spinetti (drums), guest appearance by Alvin Lee (guitar, from Ten Years After), and Rob & Ferdi Bolland (also acting as producers), Jan Hollestelle (bass), Shell Schellekens (drums), Gerbarand Westveen (sax).

The last collaboration between Geoff and Roger was a new live album, an EP called Live in Berlin, with this lineup:

Co-produced by Roger and Geoff, it only includes 4 (long) songs (around 30 minutes).

I've said this was the last collaboration with Geoff in the band, but he still played in some other album, as we'll read in the sessions page.

Apart from all these albums, there is another a couple of albums, where the whole band appears under pseudonym. The first album, credited to The Shortlist, is called The riffburglar album, and Geoff is credited as Big George Heartburn. The second album, credited to The Riffburglars, is called Swag.

Images/scans available (courtesy of Alex Gitlin):

 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Roger Chapman
Stretch
Helen Hardy
Kathi O'Donoghue
Nick Pentelow
Tony Stevens
Brian Johnston
Sam Kelly
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Jerome Rimson
Tim Hinkley
Mel Collins
Steve Simpson
Boz Burrell
Poli Palmer
ELKIE BROOKS 

Also in 1979, Geoff starts playing in live concerts for Elkie Brooks, when his commitments with Roger Chapman allowed him to do it. He was the band musical director from 1981 until 1983.

 
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Elkie Brooks
CHUCK FARLEY 

Note, this is a band, not a guy. Formed by superb guitarist Steve Simpson, this is a sort of superband, including great guests for gigs. They didn't have a stable lineup, as in the vein of, let's say, Hinkley's Heroes (see my page on Bobby Tench for more details).

This is the lineup that recorded the self-titled Chuck Farley album in 1983.
 
 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Nick Pentelow
Alan Coulter
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Steve Simpson
Boz Burrell
Poli Palmer
BAD COMPANY 

In June 1990, original guitarist Mick Ralphs leaves the band for some months, so they call Geoff to stand in. He tours with them promoting the album Holy water (where he doesn't appear).

He stays in the band until Mick Ralphs comeback in April 1991.
 
 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Brian Howe
Felix Krish
Simon Kirke

PROCOL HARUM 

In December 1991, after Tim Renwick leaves the band, Geoff joins them:

Up to this day, he's still considered a member of the band, appearing in almost every reunion by the band since then.

They played a long tour in 1992, but Matthew Fisher didn't stay for long this time, leaving in April 1992, and he's substituted by Don Snow in May.

Also that same month, they went to play again with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (the same orchestra they used for recording their live album from 1971, with Dave Ball on guitar).

In 1993, Brzezicki and Snow leave the band:

But in July 1993, Matthew Fisher returns, and they start a new tour until September, supporting Jethro Tull:  
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Gary Brooker
Dave Bronze
Mark Brzezicki
Don Snow
Josh Phillips
Matt Pegg
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Matthew Fisher
Ian Wallace
ROCK MEETS CLASSIC (again) 

In 1993, the main singer in this agrupation is Bobby Kimball (from Toto). The musical director was German arranger Eberhard Schoener, and the rock musicians were:

 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Bobby Kimball
Gary Brooker
Laurence Cottle
Matthew Weiss
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Henry Spinetti

PAUL RODGERS (BAND) 

A great vocalist needs a great band. In January 1993, Geoff joins the band, usually billed as Paul Rodgers and Company:

Now is a powerful album, marked by Geoff killer riffs and solos. He also co-writes a song, 'Saving grace' (with Paul Rodgers and Neal Schon). I love the album. His playing in the song 'Overloaded' is like having Jimi Hendrix with us again. :)

As a limited edition, the album Now has been packed as a 2CD, including a live album, called Live - The Loreley tapes, recorded at the Rockpalast Open Air Festival, Loreley, Germany, on July 8th, 1995. Superb sound, and fantastic performance. They play some covers from Paul past bands, such as Free ('All right now', 'The hunter', 'Mr. Big' or 'Wishing well') or Bad Company ('Can't get enough', 'Feel like makin' love').

Aside from appearing in live bands with other artists (as we're going to read right now), Geoff has been part of Paul band, until Paul changed completely his band at the beginning of 1998.

But, in 1999, it has appeared a new studio album by Paul, with his former band (i.e. Paul with Geoff, Jaz & Jim). The album is called Electric.
 
Images/scans available:

 

 

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Paul Rodgers
Jaz Lochrie
Jim Copley
ROGER DALTREY (band) 

In April 1994, Geoff joins Roger Daltrey, who was at that moment touring under the 'Daltrey Sings Townsend' monicker. The concerts consisted of a very competent rock band, assembled with a big orchestra, in order to play renditions of the Who classics.

The tours last from July 1994 until October 1994. They start next tour on September 1995, until December 1995.
 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Roger Daltrey
Simon Townsend
Peter Gordino
Jody Linscott
Ralph Harris
Billy Nicholls
Zak Starkey
John Entwistle
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Phil Spalding
John 'Rabbit' Bundrick

PROCOL HARUM 

As I've told, the band 'wakes up' from time to time.

In July 1995, they have a new tour, with a new drummer, powerful Graham Broad, an old friend of Geoff:

They played some gigs around February 1996 with an orchestra, and new member Henry Spinetti: In 1996, it was released The long goodbye - symphonic music of Procol Harum. It was released mostly with their lineup from 1992 (Brooker on all tracks, plus Geoff Whitehorn (guitar on 2 tracks), Dave Bronze (bass), Matthew Fisher (organ on 1 track), Mark Brzezicki (drums)). Recorded with contributions from former band member Robin Trower (guitar on 1 track), plus Tom Jones (vocals), Jerry Hadley (vocals), Andy Fairweather-Low (guitar on 1 track), James Galway (flute), plus the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Dodd and Darryl Way (from Curved Air fame). Produced by Gary Brooker.
 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Gary Brooker
Matt Pegg
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Matthew Fisher
Graham Broad
Henry Spinetti
THE WHO (credited as "Townsend, Entwistle, Daltrey present Quadrophenia") 

In June 1996, The Who were to play a charity gig for the Quadrophenia celebration, but Pete Townsend gets injured, being unable to play electric guitar, so Roger Daltrey calls Geoff to play with them during June and July.

After the success, they plan to make a short US tour in July 1996, without David Gilmour, and including Billy Idol.

When they kept doing the tour, this time billed as The Who, Geoff and Phil Daniels weren't present in the lineup.
 
 

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Roger Daltrey
Pete Townsend
John Entwistle
Phil Daniels
Simon Townsend
Jon Carin
Jody Linscott
Zak Starkey
Billy Nicholls
Suzy Webb
Sonia Jones
Peter Howith
Neil Sidwell
Simon Gardner
Paul Spong
Steve Sidwell
Andy Fawbert
Gary Glitter
Adrian Edmonson
Trevor McDonald
David Gilmour
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
John 'Rabbit' Bundrick

GARY BROOKER & FRIENDS 

As every year, Gary Brooker assembles a band to play some charity gigs in December 1998. Impressive lineup:

 
Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Gary Brooker
Paul Carrack
Beverley Skeete
Dave Bronze
Nick Pentelow
Josh Phillips
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Mick Abrahams
Andy Fairweather-Low
Henry Spinetti
BRITISH ROCK SYMPHONY 

The same concept of blending rock and classical music, but this time a CD has been released. Recorded in July 1998, the basic band comprises:

With lots of great singers involved: Paul Rodgers, Eric Burdon, Roger Daltrey, Ann Wilson, etc. The songs are covers of classic songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Who.

It was followed by a British tour in July 1999. It was supposed to play in Spain, but finally, some dates were re-scheduled, so I finally don't know if they played here (the projected city was Santiago de Compostela, in July). This was the live lineup:

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Roger Daltrey
Gary Brooker
Paul Young
Darlene Love
Peter Gordino
Simon Townsend
Jaz Lochrie
Jimmy Jewell
Zak Starkey
Keith Levenson
Alvin Fields
Nikki Lamborn
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Phil Spalding
John 'Rabbit' Bundrick

And now?

I don't know about Geoff current or forthcoming projects. I think he writes (and plays) for guitar magazine 'Guitar Techniques', and his work appears in the free CDs enclosed with the magazine.


 

SOLO ALBUMS 

Geoff has been recording his own solo albums along the years.

Whitehorn was recorded while he still was a member of If. Recorded with this lineup, including some members of the band:

A single was released with two tracks from the album, 'Makin' it funky / Mama said' (1975, Philips).

He also released a solo single in 1977, 'Love potion nº 9 / Throw away the key' (1977, EMI).

His second album is funnily titled Geoff Who? It contains 12 instrumentals, where Geoff plays all of them. It includes a couple of covers: the theme song from the movie 'Escape from New York' (the one directed -and also composed- by John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell), and a precious rendition of the old Joe Zawinul track 'Mercy, mercy, mercy'.

His third album, Big in Gravesend, was recorded from December 1993 to February 1994, and again, he plays all the instruments, except a guitar solo by Phil Hilborne in one track. Geoff also sings three tracks: B.B. King's trademark, 'The thrill is gone', also one song Geoff wrote with old mate Roger Chapman for the Mango crazy album, 'Turn it up loud'. And a funny rap ('The widdler's rap') that includes a sort of medley imitating riffs from Bo Diddley, The Shadows and Cream.

There's also a sort of instructive, training book and CD called Jam with Geoff Whitehorn's Blues Jam Trax. The lineup in this CD is:

There is also a projected instructional video to be released sometime soon...

Images/scans available:

 

 

Click for short, additional info on bandmates:
Gerry Morris
Peter Arnesen
John Richardson
Tony Atkins
Lindsay Cooper
Pat Donaldson
Someday, these musicians will be fully covered here:
Albert Lee
Dick Morrisey
Cliff Davies
Gerry Conway

Sessions

Press here to read about Geoff Whitehorn sessions

Related links: From the always interesting Alex's Picks (by Alex Gitlin), we have: From the superb site Knights in Blue Denim: The British Blues Scene '68 - '70 (by Christer Fridhammar & Vanja), we have: From the comprehensive Rockpalast site (by Michael Marsch), we have:
Musicians mentioned in this page that I have projected to cover in my site someday: And short tributes to:

Family tree

Coming soon (I hope so!).

Thanks section

Very special thanks to: Gabriel Magno, for all his fantastic photos and for his great kindness (and keyboard playing!!).

Special thanks to: Roland Clare, for all the info concerning Procol Harum (please visit the PH website, it's simply incredible!) and more...; Alex Gitlin, for the If albums, so many superb scans, and info about Roger Chapman; Christer Fridhammar, for info on Chuck Farley (check his great website) as well as about the 'Electric' album, Joan May, for help with Procol Harum info, as well as kindness and support.

Thanks to:


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Page created by Miguel Terol on: 20/December/1999. Last modified on: 12/June/2000.