Velvett Fogg
| Velvett Fogg | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Birmingham, England |
| Genres | Psychedelic rock, progressive rock, acid rock |
| Years active | 1968–1970 |
| Labels | Pye, Sanctuary, Castle, See For Miles, Past and Present, Bam-Caruso, Akarma, Seque, Rolling Stone, Metro, Pye/Esoteric |
| Associated acts | Keith Law, Jardine,Warhorse, Ghost |
| Website | Velvett Fogg Official Site |
| Past members | Frank Wilson Keith Law, Paul Eastment Mick Pollard Graham Mullet Tony Iommi Ernie Handy Bob Hewitt Ian Leighton |
Velvett Fogg were a British psychedelic rock band. Tony Iommi was a member in mid-1968, but soon left to form Black Sabbath. Their lone eponymous album was released in January 1969, and re-released on CD by Sanctuary Records in 2002.
Velvett Fogg were one of many new bands within the underground scene, that were formed at the end of the 1960s that would attempt to take pop music to a higher level of creativity. Birmingham also had its own flourishing underground music scene during that time with a variety of innovative groups emerging. The line up of Velvett Fogg all came from within this alternative music scene in the city.
Velvett Fogg were formed in 1968 from members of a Birmingham band Gravy Train. Up front was soul singer Ernie Handy, Bob Hewitt was lead guitarist, with Graham Mullett on drums, and Mick Pollard on bass guitar. Londoner Frank Wilson who played Hammond organ, was also on vocals, eventually becoming band leader and lead vocalist. The newly formed band spent most of the year touring Germany playing at army bases and clubs. Their stage act included a light show and a go-go dancer.
On their return to Birmingham, the band, now managed by an agency called Inter City Artists, were given a record deal by Jack Dorsey of Pye Records. It was also a time when it seemed that the more unusual or controversial a band was, then the greater chance there would be for success in the record business. The record label was looking to sign unusual underground music acts and Velvett Fogg were told to, in Jack Dorsey's words, "develop an image that would make people think you would piss on the pope!" (Keith Law).
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