Malcolm Tomlinson

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Malcolm Tomlinson (16 June 1946 – 2 April 2016)^[1] was an English musician, particularly active as a recording artist in the late 1970s.^[2]

History

UK years: early 1960s–1969

Tomlinson was born in

In June 1966, Tomlinson and Marsh joined forces with two members of The Noblemen – bass player Bryan Stevens (born 13 November 1941, Lha Datu, North Borneo) and keyboard player and singer Mike Ketley (born Michael Ketley, 1 October 1947, Balham, South London) – in a new version of The Noblemen, which changed name in November to The Motivation. The new Noblemen line up advertised in Melody Maker for a saxophone player and duly recruited two players from Birmingham combo, The Moonrakers, Chris Rodger (born Christopher Rodger, 16 October 1946, Solihull, Warwickshire) and Martin Barre.

The Motivation supported visiting US soul acts including Lee Dorsey, Edwin Starr, Alvin Robinson, The Vibrations and The Coasters.^[1] They also toured under their own name, sharing the bill with The Herd (twice at the Marquee), Cream and The Tremeloes. They also spent six weeks in Romeplaying at the Piper Club during April–May 1967. By early June, Marsh and Rodger had left and the band brought in former Clayton Squares' singer Denny Alexander (born Denny Alexander Thomas, 10 March 1946, Liverpool, Lancashire), changing name to The Penny Peeps later that summer. Barre then dedicated his time to lead guitar.

The Penny Peeps signed to Liberty Records and recorded two singles, including "Model Village" and some further demos (some of which have subsequently been released by Rev-Ola) before Alexander left and the remaining members evolved into blues band, Gethsemane.^[1] The group shared the bill with notable acts including Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie among others. In mid-December 1968 Barre joined Jethro Tull and Gethsemane broke up.

While Tomlinson was with Gethsemane, he participated in a BBC radio session at Aeolian Hall with Elton John on 28 October alongside guitarist Caleb Quaye and bass player Boots Slade. The line-up recorded three tracks, including "Lady Samantha".^[1]

Canada: 1969–2016

Tomlinson subsequently moved to Toronto in March 1969 with his former colleague from Jeff Curtis & The Flames, guitarist Louis McKelvey (born Louis Campbell McKelvey, 31 October 1943, Killorglin, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland). The pair formed the group, Milkwood,^[1] which appeared at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival concert on 13 September 1969. The band also recorded an unreleased LP for Polydor Records with Jerry Ragovoy producing. The pair also appeared on an unreleased LP by Toronto singer Jay Telfer while Tomlinson guested on Life's eponymous album for Polydor Records. The pair then formed a new band, Damage, but this was short-lived and during the early 1970s, Tomlinson played in a succession of local bands, including Syrinx, and a latter day version of Elektra band, Rhinoceros.

In 1973, Tomlinson appeared on Bill King's album Goodbye Superdad and John Mills Cockell's Heartbeat. He then joined

On 2 June 2007, Tomlinson was behind the kit for a one-off reunion of the seminal 1960s Toronto band Kensington Market. He also doubled up to play with Luke & The Apostles.

He was most recently active with The Malcolm Tomlinson Band, which included Gerry Markman – guitar (The Sensations), Steve Hunter – keyboard (M/D Hair & Rocky Horror Show) and Glenn Olive – bass, and recently contributed to an LP by the Cameo Blues Band.

Tomlinson died aged 69 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 2 April 2016.^[1]

References

External links

• "Beat Merchants and the Underground Legends". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2 January 2021.