The final hit for 'Family'. Released in September 1972, it featured Jim Gregan on bass, replacing John Wetton, who had left to join a new line-up of Robert Fripp's 'King Crimson'. At the end of that year, keyboardist John "Poli" Palmer also left the band, and was replaced by Tony Ashton, previously of 'Ashton, Gardner and Dyke' (they had a major hit with "Resurrection Shuffle", but could not seem to replicate that success).
This spent 12 weeks in the UK singles chart, making a No. 13 high, but had no success in the USA. At the time of its release (before Palmer's exit), 'Family' toured the United States and Canada as the support act for Elton John, but their performances were often greeted with silence, and "Poli" Palmer later recalled that "the only clapping in this huge stadium would be the guys doing the PA". Limping on, 'Family' gave their final concert at Leicester Polytechnic on October 13th 1973.
The band never reformed, but instead many of its members went onto different musical projects. Roger Chapman and lead guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney formed the band 'Streetwalkers'. John Wetton, post-'King Crimson', eventually became the lead singer of the band 'Asia'. Drummer Rob Townsend was a member of 'Medicine Head' between 1973 and 1975, and later joined John "Charlie" Whitney again in the band 'Axis Point'.
Previous bassist Rick Grech died of kidney and liver failure in 1990, at the age of 43, as a result of alcoholism. Tony Ashton died in 2001, at the age of 55, of cancer. Sax-player Jim King died in 2012. Final word to vocalist Roger Chapman in interview: "We never set out to do anything, we didn't try to be different, it was never calculated. We were just arranging music as we thought it should be done. It was as naive and as honest as that."
@lynn200 It's a good job then that I didn't quote from another interview, from 1994, by Roger Chapman. He has a right go at guitarist and former writing partner Charlie Whitney, saying they'll never work together again. Sad to read.
14 Comments (since 24 Apr 2014)
leejohnson
The final hit for 'Family'. Released in September 1972, it featured Jim Gregan on bass, replacing John Wetton, who had left to join a new line-up of Robert Fripp's 'King Crimson'. At the end of that year, keyboardist John "Poli" Palmer also left the band, and was replaced by Tony Ashton, previously of 'Ashton, Gardner and Dyke' (they had a major hit with "Resurrection Shuffle", but could not seem to replicate that success).
leejohnson
This spent 12 weeks in the UK singles chart, making a No. 13 high, but had no success in the USA. At the time of its release (before Palmer's exit), 'Family' toured the United States and Canada as the support act for Elton John, but their performances were often greeted with silence, and "Poli" Palmer later recalled that "the only clapping in this huge stadium would be the guys doing the PA". Limping on, 'Family' gave their final concert at Leicester Polytechnic on October 13th 1973.
leejohnson
The band never reformed, but instead many of its members went onto different musical projects. Roger Chapman and lead guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney formed the band 'Streetwalkers'. John Wetton, post-'King Crimson', eventually became the lead singer of the band 'Asia'. Drummer Rob Townsend was a member of 'Medicine Head' between 1973 and 1975, and later joined John "Charlie" Whitney again in the band 'Axis Point'.
leejohnson
Previous bassist Rick Grech died of kidney and liver failure in 1990, at the age of 43, as a result of alcoholism. Tony Ashton died in 2001, at the age of 55, of cancer. Sax-player Jim King died in 2012. Final word to vocalist Roger Chapman in interview: "We never set out to do anything, we didn't try to be different, it was never calculated. We were just arranging music as we thought it should be done. It was as naive and as honest as that."
leejohnson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlesque_%28Family_song%29
tpjdavies
Saw them in London last year.Also played again earlier this year.
ErnieBilko
Great song...
BertrandRustles
My favourite Family track. Lots of great memories.
sprodget
Good choice. Great memories of seeing them play in early '67 at The Britannia Rowing Cub, Nottingham
glimmer9
long time no hear , nice
Sid_Bonkers
I bought the album back in the day off the back of hearing this track, sad they never broke the USA as they were a class band
lynn200
not keen on the obituary above...ohhh! as you know,my favorite band,a great track...i like MY memories.
leejohnson
@lynn200 It's a good job then that I didn't quote from another interview, from 1994, by Roger Chapman. He has a right go at guitarist and former writing partner Charlie Whitney, saying they'll never work together again. Sad to read.
lynn200
67,saw them,as did @sprodget.......next time i'll just play the music...lolzzz thx for jammin them..