The Winkies

The Winkies
Genres Pub rock
Years active 1973–1975
Labels Chrysalis
Associated acts Brian Eno
Past members Philip Rambow
Michael Desmarais
Guy Humphreys
Brian Turrington

The Winkies were an English pub rock group. The group primarily consisted of Philip Rambow, Michael Desmarais, Guy Humphreys, and Brian Turrington.

Biography

The Winkies were formed by Canadian-born Philip Rambow with former Holy Rollers guitarist Guy Humphreys, and the rhythm section of Brian Turrington (bass) and Mike Desmarais (drums). Their music and stage presence were a combination of the sound pub rock and visuals of glam rock clothing.[1]

The Winkies caught the attention of Brian Eno while he was finishing his debut solo album, Here Come the Warm Jets. Eno took The Winkies as his backing band in February 1974, on his first and only solo tour. The outing ended after five shows*, after Eno was rushed to the hospital suffering from a collapsed lung. In March 1974 the John Peel BBC radio show broadcast four songs from the 19 February 1974 performance - "The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch", "Totalled", "Baby's on Fire" and a cover version of "Fever".[1]

*This is probably not correct. The tour started on the 13th February 1974 at the King's Hall Derby followed by 15th Sheffield City Hall, 16th Swansea Brangwyn Hall, 17th Bristol Colston Hall, 18th Dunstable Civic Hall, and 20th Guildford Civic Hall the BBC Peel sessions were recorded on the 19th. There's no question that Eno and the Winkies played a full set in Guildford on the 20th, so unless earlier dates were cancelled they played 6 shows at least. There were 14 more shows listed on the tour poster.

In 1979, The Impossible Recordworks (IMP 1-30) unofficially released the album Floating In Sequence, which contained six songs from the Winkies/Eno February 1974 tour. In 1999, ENO-802 (QCS-1441) unofficially released the limited edition vinyl LP, Brian Peter George St John Le Baptiste De La Salle ENO* – Music For Fans Vol. 2 of the same material. On 23 February 1999, German Records World Productions (LUBEK 001) unofficially released Dali's Car (EAN 4016618288880), containing the same six songs from the Winkies/Eno 1974 tour.

The six songs on all three formats include:

  1. "The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch" - The Winkies
  2. "Fever" - The Winkies

~ Recorded: 19 February 1974, BBC Studio Four, London England.

  1. "The Fat Lady of Limbourg" - 801 (Eno)
  2. "Third Uncle" - 801 (Eno)

~ Recorded: 26 August 1976, Reading Festival, Reading England.

  1. "Baby's on Fire" - The Winkies
  2. "I'll Come Running" - The Winkies

~ Recorded: 26 February 1974, BBC Studio Four, London England.

After touring with Eno, the band signed with Chrysalis Records and recorded various tracks with Leo Lyons of Ten Years After. Guests on these recordings included Chick Churchill and Eno. This intended album was never completed, and the Winkies began work on another set, with Guy Stevens producing. Their debut album, The Winkies was released in 1975.[2]

Shortly after the release of this album, the Winkies disbanded.[1]

Discography

{|class="wikitable"

! style="width:33px;"|Year ! style="width:260px;"|Title |- | style="text-align:center;"|1975 |The Winkies

|}[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Winkies Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  2. 1 2 Dave Thompson. "The Winkies - The Winkies | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
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