The Birds (band)
The Birds | |
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Background information | |
Origin | London, England |
Genres | R&B, blues rock, freakbeat |
Years active | 1964–1967 |
Labels | Decca, Reaction |
Past members | Ali McKenzie Ronnie Wood Tony Munroe Kim Gardner Bob Langham Pete McDaniels Richard Burkwood |
The Birds were an English rhythm and blues band, formed in 1964 in London. They recorded fewer than a dozen songs and released only four singles.
Starting out with a hard R&B sound, they later began infusing it with
Career
Several members of the Birds grew up in the same neighbourhood in Yiewsley, west London, and began playing together in 1964, while still in their teens.[2] At first calling themselves the Thunderbirds, they started out playing local clubs and a neighbourhood community centre, but they soon expanded to a larger club circuit.[2] When they were hired to play on the same bill as Chris Farlowe, whose back-up band was also called the Thunderbirds, they shortened their name to the Birds – a decision which would have significant ramifications later.[1]
Their hard R&B sound was good enough to get them into a battle-of-the-bands contest held under the show Ready Steady Go!.[2] When the band made their first television appearance, they caught the eye of Decca record company executives. The ensuing recording contract resulted in their first two singles, "You Don't Love Me" and "Leaving Here". The Birds seemed destined for stardom with their loud rhythm-and-blues based music, receiving equal billing with the Who at some concerts.[2]
However, in the spring of 1965, the
After releasing the third
In 2010, Ali McKenzie started to play gigs with the members of Small Fakers (a Small Faces tribute band), under the name the Birds.[5] McKenzie died on 30 April 2021.[6]
Band members
- Ali McKenzie – Vocals, harmonica
- Ronnie Wood – Lead guitar, vocals
- Tony Munroe – Rhythm guitar, vocals
- Kim Gardner – Bass, vocals
- Bob Langham – Drums (1964)
- Pete McDaniels – Drums (1964–1966)
Session musician:
- Clem Cattini (drums on "Granny Rides Again", recorded in December 1966)
Discography
Singles
- "You're on My Mind" (Ronnie Wood) / "You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)" (: Franklyn Boyd)
- "Leaving Here" (Holland–Dozier–Holland) b/w "Next in Line" (Ronnie Wood) (April 1965, Decca F 12140) (Producer: Franklyn Boyd) – UK No. 45
- "No Good Without You Baby" (William Stevenson) / "How Can It Be?" (Ronnie Wood) (October 1965, Decca F 12257) (Producer: Franklyn Boyd)
- "Say Those Magic Words" (Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, Mort Shuman, Richard Gottehrer) b/w "Daddy Daddy" (Ronnie Wood/Tony Munroe) (as "The Birds Birds", September 1966, Reaction 591 005)
- "That's All That I Need You For" (Ronnie Wood, Tony Monroe, Ali MacKenzie) / "If I Were a Carpenter" (Tim Hardin) (February 2011, Birdsong Records ALI 001)[7]
Other recorded songs
- "Good Times" / "La Poupée Qui Fait Non" (Michel Polnareff)
- "Granny Rides Again"
- "Run Run Run" (Pete Townshend)
- "That's All I Need You For" (Ronnie Wood/Tony Munroe)
- "You Shouldn't Do That" (Ronnie Wood)
- "What Hit Me" (Ronnie Wood/Tony Munroe)
- "N.S.U." (Jack Bruce)
Compilations
- The Collector's Guide to Rare British Birds – CD compilation album, released 20 June 2005, Deram Records
References
- ^ a b c d Wells, David (March 2007). "Bird Song". Record Collector. pp. 60–66.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Biography by Bruce Eder". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
- ^ "Full Cast and Crew for The Deadly Bees". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
- ^ Zentgraf, Nico. "Woodworks 1957-1975". Retrieved 23 February 2008.
- ^ "Home - Small Fakers". Retrieved 15 June 2010.
- ^ "Birds, The". Nostalgiacentral.com. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.