Mabel Greer's Toyshop
| Mabel Greer's Toyshop | |
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| Origin | London, England |
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| Website | MabelGreersToyShop.com |
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Mabel Greer's Toyshop are an English progressive rock (initially as psychedelic rock) band formed in London, active from 1966 to 1968 that was the precursor to the rock band Yes. Their music was marked by a combination of psychedelic, American blues and classically influenced arrangements with poetic lyrics. Members included Chris Squire, Peter Banks, Tony Kaye, Bill Bruford, and Jon Anderson. The band reformed in 2014 with original members, singer and guitarist Clive Bayley and drummer Robert Hagger, along with Hugo Barré, Tony Kaye, and Billy Sherwood.
Mabel Greer’s Toyshop was formed in 1966 by composer-guitarist and vocalist Clive Bayley, drummer Robert Hagger and bassist Paul Rutledge. Hagger had previously met Chris Squire, bassist of the Syn, after having auditioned for them earlier. The Syn broke up in 1967 and Squire was asked to join Mabel Greer. Peter Banks also from the Syn joined soon afterwards. Early in 1968 Jon Anderson joined the band after meeting Squire in a Soho nightclub.
Mabel Greer worked in the London clubs and Universities around London, including The Marquee, Electric Garden, UFO and Happening 44. During this time the band met influential BBC radio DJ John Peel at the Middle Earth club in London, and they recorded some tracks for Peel's radio shows, Top Gear and Night Ride. Some of the tracks were included on The Roots of Yes a compilation album released by Banks, such as "Beyond and Before", a later version of which appeared on the first Yes album, Yes (1969). Mabel Greer also did some demo recording session with the producer Mike Leander for MCA Records.
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