The Sensational Alex Harvey Band – a sadly-missed phenomenon
Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music
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Show Notes
More than any band we’ve covered in over 50 episodes, this band has delivered us the most blank looks! “Never heard of them!”, people say! So, we thought we’d remedy this serious hole in people’s musical appreciation by looking at one of the most exciting but overlooked musical occurrences of the 70’s.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB) could only have existed during the 70’s, and possibly only in Glasgow. Starting with the idea that, to call yourself “Sensational”, you’ve got to be sensational, Alex Harvey joined local band, Tear Gas, to form SAHB in 1972. Singing in a broad Glaswegian accent, Alex Harvey led the band to become the highest-grossing live band in the UK. When they launched a song called, “Faith Healer” at 1973 Reading Festival, they blew Rod Stewart and Status Quo off stage!
SAHB has influenced bands like AC/DC, The Cure and Nick Cave and inspired a generation of bands over the years since then.
There’re a million stories around SAHB. The anecdote involving The Doobie Brothers and the wrong dressing room is an absolute corker! Not to mention the time they gave AC/DC their big break on UK TV.
Jeff is loving the possibilities of ChatGPT, and had it compose songs in the style of David Bowie and Elton John. Or a fruit-based limerick! Or an Eminem rap about cats. Yep, it’s as horrific as it sounds.
Normally, we’d do an album “you must hear before you die”, but for a change, we’ve chosen to look at Rod Stewart’s wonderful mandolin effort, “Maggie May”, and how it’s based on an actual “experience” with an older woman where Rod’s biggest concern was that if his performance wasn’t good enough, his reputation could be ruined. Probably one of the best songs of Stewart’s career.
References: Artificial Intelligence, Chat GPT, Open AI, David Bowie,“Anatomy of a Song”, Marc Myers, “Maggie May”, “Reason to Believe”, Ron Wood, celesta, Rod Stewart sexual performance, “Storyteller”, Tear Gas, SAHB, “Mid-Atlantic accent”, Zal Cleminson, Chris Glen, Hugh & Ted McKenna, Doobie Brothers, The Cure, AC/DC, “Framed”, The Coasters, “SAHB Live”, “Isobel Goudie”, “Faith Healer”, “Anthem”, “Tomahawk Kid”, “Delilah”, “Vambo”