Streetwalkers were an English rock band formed in late 1973 by two former members of rock band Family, vocalist Roger Chapman and guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney. They were a five piece band which evolved from the Chapman Whitney Band. The band was managed by Michael Alphandary and Harvey Goldsmith and were best known for their live performances and their album ''Red Card'' (1976). By 1977 their potential to become more important in UK rock history was diminished by changing musical taste, due to the growing influence of punk rock and new wave music on European culture. The band had success in the United States and Europe, particularly Germany.

History

1973 ''Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers'' the album

Chapman and Whitney signed to the Reprise label in 1973 and recorded '' Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers'' (1974) with a lineup including other members of Family (co-founder Ric Grech on bass, former bassists John Wetton and Jim Cregan providing bass and backing vocals and backing vocals respectively) and King Crimson (Wetton, plus saxophonist Mel Collins and drummers Ian Wallace and

Michael Giles Michael Rex Giles (born 1 March 1942) is an English drummer, percussionist, and vocalist, best known as one of the co-founders of King Crimson in 1969. Prior to the formation of King Crimson, he was part of the eccentric pop trio Giles, Giles a ...

). When writing about the album for Allmusic, Patrick Little commented: During this period keyboard player Blue Weaver appeared with them at concerts, such as the Reading Festival in the summer of 1974. Bobby Tench from The Jeff Beck Group and

Hummingbird Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the biological family Trochilidae. With about 361 species and 113 genera, they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but the vast majority of the species are found in the tropics aro ...

was also featured in their fluid, informal touring band line up and appeared at concerts such as in Hyde Park, London, the same year

Concert billing, Rockpalast, Streetwalkers formation and Downtown Flyers

After recording the album ''Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers'', Chapman and Whitney changed the name of their band to Streetwalkers and Tench joined them as an official band member, when they signed to

Phonogram Inc. Phonogram Incorporated was started in 1970 as a successor to Philips Phonographic Industries, a unit of the Grammophon-Philips Group (GPG), a joint venture of Philips N.V. of the Netherlands and Siemens A.G. of Germany. Phonogram was the name ...

in 1975. Tench was joined by drummer Nicko McBrain (who would later join Iron Maiden) and bass player Jon Plotel. They had previously appeared on a European broadcast for the German TV show Rockpalast with Chapman and Whitney earlier the same year, billed as The Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers. The band's first album, ''Downtown Flyers'' (1975) was released in both USA and Europe but did not achieve the anticipated success in USA, although interest in Europe was more encouraging.

Red Card, stadium concerts

Their second studio album, the groove heavy album ''Red Card'' (1976) reached #16 in UK album charts and remains a much respected album. The band performed at a series of concerts entitled Who Put The Boot In appearing at UK Football stadiums, during May and June 1976, supporting The Who. The billing for these concerts included The

Sensational Alex Harvey Band The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1972. Fronted by Alex Harvey (musician), Alex Harvey accompanied by Zal Cleminson on guitar, bassist Chris Glen, keyboard player Hugh McKenna (1949–2019) and dru ...

Little Feat Little Feat is an American rock band formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles. George disbanded the group because of creative differences shortly before his death in 1979. Surviving ...

Outlaws An outlaw is a person living outside the law. Outlaws or The Outlaws may also refer to: Film and television Film * ''The Outlaws'' (1950 film), an Italian crime film * ''Outlaws'' (1985 film), a French film * ''The Outlaws'' (2017 film), a Sou ...

, Widowmaker (UK) and Streetwalkers were the second act to appear. The band also toured the U.S as support to others such as Wings, 10cc and Joe Cocker.

John Peel sessions, final Rockpalast appearance

On 12 June 1976 they made their first appearance for

John Peel John Robert Parker Ravenscroft (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey (DJ) and radio presenter. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly fr ...

on his "Peel Sessions" recorded by BBC radio, with the line-up of Chapman, Whitney, Tench, Plotel and McBrain and were featured by Peel once more as a "Peel session", on 14 March 1977. On 19 April the same year, they made their final appearance on '' Rockpalast'', with a line-up which included Chapman, Whitney, Tench, keyboardist Brian Johnstone, bassist Mickey Feat and drummer David Dowle who later joined Whitesnake.

Vicious But Fair and breakup of band

By the time their third and final studio album ''Vicious But Fair'' (1977) was released, Vertigo had shifted their commercial emphasis to the musical trends of punk rock and new wave music. The euphoria surrounding the band began to diminish and the potential of becoming more established in Europe evaporated. ''Streetwalkers Live'' (1977) was their final album and included a rough and ready compilation of poorly recorded tracks, probably released to comply with contractual obligations. In his review of this album for Allmusic, John Dougan mentions the poor quality of the recording and states that: "Chapman tears off a few soulful moments and it can rock". By now the band had broken up and Tench moved on to work with

Van Morrisson Sir George Ivan Morrison (born 31 August 1945), known professionally as Van Morrison, is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose recording career spans seven decades. He has won two Grammy Awards. As a teenager in t ...

, along with Feat.

Band members

Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers musicians 1973-1974

* Roger Chapman -

harmonica The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica inclu ...

, percussion and vocals *

Charlie Whitney Charlie may refer to: Characters * "Charlie," the head of the Townsend Agency', from the ''Charlie's Angels'' franchise * Charlie, a character on signs for the CharlieCard, a smart card issued by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority * ...

- guitar and

steel guitar A steel guitar ( haw, kīkākila) is any guitar played while moving a steel bar or similar hard object against plucked strings. The bar itself is called a "steel" and is the source of the name "steel guitar". The instrument differs from a conve ...

* Bobby Tench - guitar, vocals, percussion, keyboards * Max Middleton - keyboards *

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

* Ian Wallace - drums * Ric Grech -

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gui ...

* John Wetton - bass and vocals *

Poli Palmer John Michael "Poli" Palmer (born 26 May 1943 in Worcester) is an English rock musician who was a key member in the progressive rock band Family. Though he was not an original member, he was regarded as being integral to the group's sound. H ...

- vibraphone and background vocals * Blue Weaver - keyboards * Tim Hinkley - keyboards and vocals * Neil Hubbard - guitar * Mel Collins - saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet * Boz Burrell - vocals * Jim Cregan - vocals * Linda Lewis - background vocals *Godfrey McLean - percussion

Streetwalkers musicians 1975-1977

* Roger Chapman - harmonica, percussion and vocals *

- guitar, keyboards,

slide guitar Slide guitar is a technique for playing the guitar that is often used in blues music. It involves playing a guitar while holding a hard object (a slide) against the strings, creating the opportunity for glissando effects and deep vibratos tha ...

* Bobby Tench - guitar, vocals, percussion, keyboards * Jon Plotel - bass and background vocals * Micky Feate - bass * Nicko McBrain - percussion and drums *

David Dowle David 'Duck' Dowle (born 20 October 1953 in London, England) is an English drummer who has played with the bands Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, Streetwalkers, Whitesnake, Runner, Midnight Flyer, Bernie Marsden. Biography Dave Dowle started ...

- drums *Brian Johnson - keyboards

Albums

* '' Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers'' Reprise K 54017UK/Mercury USA (May 1974)< * ''

Downtown Flyers ''Downtown'' is a term primarily used in North America by English speakers to refer to a city's sometimes commercial, cultural and often the historical, political and geographic heart. It is often synonymous with its central business district ...

'' Vertigo 6360 123 (October 1975) * ''

Red Card A red card is a type of penalty card that is shown in many sports after a rules infraction. Red card may also refer to: Art, entertainment, and media * ''Red Card'' (album), 1976 release by Streetwalkers * Red card, suit (cards) of hearts or dia ...

'' Vertigo 9102 010 UK/Mercury USA (May 1976). Reached #16 in UK album chart * ''In Concert BBC'' (1975) * ''

Vicious But Fair Vicious may refer to: Music * Johnny Vicious, American house DJ, producer and remixer * Sid Vicious (1957–1979), punk rock musician * Vicious (rapper), Jamaican-American rapper and reggae artist active in the 1990s * ''Vicious'' (Nasty Idols ...

'' Vertigo 9102 012UK/Mercury USA (January 1977) * ''Live Streetwalkers'' Vertigo 6641 703 (December 1977) * ''Best of Streetwalkers'' Vertigo 846 661 2(1991)

Re-issues

* ''Red Card'' Repertoire REP 4147-WP CD (2002) * ''Downtown Flyers'' BGO (2002) * ''Vicious but Fair'' See for Miles SEECD 352(1994) * ''Live at the BBC'' Windsong 61 (1994) * ''Streetwalkers Live'' BGO (2004)

Compilations

* ''Red Card/Vicious but Fair'' BGO BGOCD 606 (2005)

Singles

* "Roxianna"/"Crack" Reprise K14357 (1974) taken from Chapman-Whitney Streetwalkers album * "Raingame"/"Miller" Vertigo 6059 130 (1975) taken from Downtown Flyers album * "Daddy Rolling Stone"/"Hole In Your Pocket"'' Vertigo 6059 144 (1976) taken from

album * "Chilli Con Carne"/"But You're Beautiful"'' Vertigo Europe from Vicious but Fair album

Notes

References

*Joynson, Vernon. ''The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976''. Borderline (2006). Reprinted 2008. *Roberts, David. ''British Hit Singles & Albums (19th edition)''. London: Guinness World Records Limited(2006). .

External links

Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers
and Streetwalkers at Rockpalast WDR Studio-L Köln 1975 and 1977 *

Streetwalkers Streetwalkers were an English rock band formed in late 1973 by two former members of rock band Family, vocalist Roger Chapman and guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney. They were a five piece band which evolved from the Chapman Whitney Band. The ba ...

discography at Allmusic
Streetwalkers
Crawfish. Live at Rockpalast March 25, 1975 at NME.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Streetwalkers English rock music groups Vertigo Records artists Mercury Records artists Reprise Records artists