The Artwoods
The Artwoods secured a loyal fan-base in the 60s,wowing the hipsters
at London's Speakeasy, Klooks Kleek, The 100 Club and Eel Pie Island,
with an irresistible set of soul and blues covers. Between 1964 and
1967 they recorded six singles, an EP (Jazz In Jeans) and the
LP Art Gallery.
Their sharp Mod sound was characterized by the swirling organ of
Jon Lord (later of Deep Purple) and the
bluesy vocals of Art Wood (elder brother of ex-Faces
and Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood), and
made them a hit on television show Ready Steady
Go.
Born on July 7, 1937, Art Wood studied graphic design and fine art
at Ealing School of Art before doing his National
Service. Back in
London in 1962 he formed The Art Wood Combo, an R&B outfit that
morphed into The Artwoods two years later. They were an impressive
live act, but would not find commercial success - although they were
considerably more popular in France, Denmark and Poland.
In 1967 the band changed their name to St Valentine's Day Massacre
to tie in with the release of the movie Bonnie And Clyde, but
disbanded soon after. In 1969, Wood founded his short-lived R&B
revue, Quiet Melon, with Rod Stewart,
Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, Ian McLagan, Ron Wood and Kim Gardner, but
when most of the band left to form The Faces
he turned to design, working with his other brother, Ted.
In the 1990s he joined The Artwoods' contemporaries The
Downliners Sect, then formed The Art Wood Allstars with Sect
members Don Craine and Keith Grant, plus The Kinks'
drummer Mick Avory, among others. He also teamed with both his
brothers on Art Wood's Quiet Melon's Money Due album in 1998.
Art Wood lost his battle with cancer on November 3, 2006.
| The
Band |
Art Wood
Vocals
Derek Griffiths
Guitar |
Jon Lord
Organ
Malcolm Pool
Bass |
Keef Hartley
Drums |
|
|
