Favorite British band

[Harry P.]

Ok, let's take on the 800 pound gorilla in the room. We've talked about Canadian bands, Australian bands, European bands (but specifically not British)... so let's go.

We can start by eliminating the obvious. Beatles. Stones. Zeppelin. Floyd. Everyone likes those bands.

There... that thins it out a bit. But still so many English bands to consider. For me, aside from the "Big Four," I like several, including the Hollies. Many of you may recognize this as a Linda Rondstadt tune, but this is the original...

 

[Snake45]

Put me down for Mott the Hoople.

[Harry P.]

Another vote for the Hollies... with a very young Graham Nash on 12-string and harmony vocals...

[maltsr]

I'm British by birth born in '55 so grew up listening to lots of great bands live and on vinyl.  Where do I start?  I'll suggest some less well known bands - Dr Feelgood, Sex Pistols, The Stranglers, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Stereophonics, The Editors, Echo & The Bunnymen and Home.

Put me down for Mott the Hoople.

I saw Queen supporting Mott the Hoople at Leeds Town Hall in 1973 - great gig!

[SfanGoch]

Put me down for Mott the Hoople.

I'll second that. Say Them with my friends at the old Uris Theatre in 1974.

Stiff Little fingers is a close second.

[SfanGoch]

Oh, I forgot to mention Queen was the opening act.

 

[Harry P.]

Also like the Kinks...

[cobraman]

I always liked the Dave Clark 5.

[JollySipper]

PJ Harvey was pretty cool in the 90's....... She had a Blues/Alternative sound going on....... 

[Harry P.]

My absolute favorite DC5 song... which reinforces my theory that any song that features a harmonica is a good song...

[SfanGoch]

Great band. My older sister saw them at the RKO Albee Theater in 1965. She was crazy about Dave Smith.

[RAT-T]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKBRc8zNQ30

[SfanGoch]

The damned is another great band.

 

[Harry P.]

Oh yeah... the Zombies were good.

So many great British bands...

[Harry P.]

Also like the Yardbirds... or should I say "Pre-Zeppelin?"

Recognize the lead guitarist?

 

[SfanGoch]

I always liked "For Your Love". It reminds me of a song used in an Italian spy flick soundtrack from that time.

[Harry P.]

Not to mention those crazy bongos...

[SfanGoch]

More collaboration than single band was Vindaloo Summer Special. The lineup featured comedian Ted Chippington (really funny), The Nightingales and We Got a Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It. They recorded a song "Rockin' With Rita (Head to Toe). It's a plain old fun tune, perfect for beach parties.

 

[mikemodeler]

Have to agree with you Harry on The Kinks and would have to include Yes. Have seen them both in concert 30 +  years ago and are among my favorite concerts of nearly 100 different acts I have seen.

 

[Harry P.]

Ok, this one is a judgement call. Started out 100% British, but with the addition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in the mid '70s, they were down to 3/5 British. But at least the Fleetwood and the Mac parts (Mick Fleetwood, John and Christine McVie) were still British!

[SfanGoch]

Not to mention those crazy bongos...

That's what made me think of Italian spy flicks. 

 

[SfanGoch]

I was never into Fleetwood Mac. Not loud enough.

 

[Harry P.]

I was never into Fleetwood Mac. Not loud enough.

One of my all-time favorites. Loud enough for me. And then there's Christine and Stevie...

[Ace-Garageguy]

Pentangle

[Harry P.]

Surprised nobody has mentioned Yes yet. Another of my all-time faves.