Fat Mattress

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Fat Mattress
Fat Mattress performing in 1969
Fat Mattress performing in 1969
Background information
OriginFolkestone, England
Genres
Years active1968–1970
LabelsOriginal
Polydor (UK), Atco (US)
Post-breakup
Sequel, Esoteric
Past membersNeil Landon
Noel Redding
Jim Leverton
Eric Dillon
Mick Weaver

Fat Mattress were an

The Jimi Hendrix Experience,[1] and vocalist Neil Landon, the band was completed by multi-instrumentalist Jim Leverton, drummer Eric Dillon and keyboardist Mick Weaver. The band released two albums – Fat Mattress and Fat Mattress II
– before splitting up in 1970.

History

Fat Mattress was formed in late 1968 by Noel Redding with vocalist

Jimi Hendrix Experience, with a view to enabling Redding to play guitar and to sing lead, as well as to record original material. While he had done all three things with the Experience, they were restricted to rare occasions.[2] Martin Barre was briefly a member of the band, but soon left to replace Mick Abrahams in Jethro Tull
.

The first major public exposure of the band was as the opening act to the Jimi Hendrix Experience on a tour of the United States, during which Redding performed with both bands.[2] Landon, Redding, and Leverton all sang lead, allowing the group to employ vocal harmonies.

The group was signed to

hit in the Netherlands.[3]

In August 1969, the band made an appearance at the

The Pretty Things, The Who, and the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.[4]

On 27 September 1969, Fat Mattress (along with The Who) appeared on the German TV show, Beat-Club. They performed three songs; "Naturally", "Mr. Moonshine" and "Magic Forest".

On 22 February 1970, Fat Mattress headlined over

Hype at the Roundhouse, a gig later described by the BBC as "arguably ... mark[ing] the birth of glam rock."[5]

A major U.S. tour was cancelled after completing only five dates of an initially anticipated 30.[4] In the midst of recording Fat Mattress II, Redding and Leverton had a falling out, resulting in Redding's departure from the band. He was replaced by Steve Hammond at roughly the same time as Mick Weaver was added to relieve Leverton on keyboard duties, allowing Leverton to focus on bass and vocals.[4] Fat Mattress II was less of a success than their debut, and the band split in the middle of recording what would have been their third album.[4]

Band members

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

  • from Fat Mattress:
    • "Magic Forest"/"Petrol Pump Assistant" (1969)
  • from Fat Mattress II:
    • "Naturally"/"Iridescent Butterfly" (1969)
    • "Highway"/"Black Sheep of the Family" (1970)
  • Non-album singles:
    • "Magic Lanterns"/"Bright New Way" (1970)

References

  1. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 198. CN 5585.
  2. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. Biography of Fat Mattress; AllMusic
  3. ^ "Magic Forest" chart history, Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d Robinson, Alan (February 2000). "Fat Mattress". In Black Sheep of the Family [CD booklet]. Chessington: Castle Music Ltd.
  5. ^ "Seven Ages of Rock - Events - Hype Concert at the Roundhouse". BBC. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  6. ^ Richie Unterberger. "Fat Mattress | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 May 2014.

Further reading

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