Sassafras (band)

Sassafras were a rock band from South Wales first formed in 1970. They played a mix of rock and roll, progressive rock and country rock with the emphasis on vocal harmony. The use of twin guitar solos was a distinctive feature of their music. The band holds the UK record for the group performing the greatest number of live gigs in a year.

Sassafras
OriginSouth Wales
Genres
Years active1970–2006
Labels
Past members
  • Dai Shell
  • Rob Reynolds
  • Garry Davis
  • Marco James
  • Ralph Evans
  • Ray Jones
  • Ricky John Holt
  • Robert Jones
  • Terry Bennett

History

The band was formed in South Wales in 1970 as a three-piece band with guitarist Ralph Evans, bassist Ricky John Holt and drummer Rob Reynolds. Shortly afterwards guitarist David (Dai) Shell, a Cardiff guitarist of some note, joined and became largely responsible for the tone of the band.[1]

The band signed to George Martin’s AIR Productions in 1972 with a line-up completed by Terry Bennett on vocals and Robert 'Congo' Jones on drums. The band utilised the twin lead guitar approach to great effect and released their debut album, Expecting Company, on Polydor in 1973.[2]

The band toured America's larger venues with such headlining groups as Ten Years After, Fleetwood Mac and Peter Frampton, but never found real commercial success. Sassafras achieved good press coverage, appearances on BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test and notable rock radio shows of the time, as well as festival appearances and major support slots, but never achieved the widespread appeal of fellow Welsh rock band Man.[1]

The band has been described as "a sort-of Welsh Fleetwood Mac/Eagles hybrid, with soaring west-coast melodies and a real roadtrip rock feel".[3] In the early 1970s they held the record for highest number of gigs in a single year, with their 332 beating Slade by one.[3] The band were still performing in 2006.

Galloni, James and Ray Jones later joined Son of Man, led by George Jones, who play music by Man, as well as their own compositions.[4]

Personnel
  • Dai Shell – lead guitar[3]
  • Ralph Evans – lead guitar[5]
  • Rob Reynolds – drums
  • Ricky John Holt – bass
  • Terry Bennett – vocalsr[5]
  • Steve Finn[5]
  • Robert 'Congo' Jones – drums
  • Ray Jones – bass guitar, vocals
  • Richard Galloni – vocals
  • Garry Davis – drums
  • Marco James – keyboards
  • Chris Sharley – drumsr[5]
  • Andy Coles – drums

Discography

Singles
  • "Oh My (Don't It Make You Want To Cry)", 1974, Polydor: 2058 497
  • "Wheelin' 'N' Dealin'", 1975, Chrysalis: CHS 2063

Albums
  • Expecting Company, 1973, Polydor: 2383 245 (reissued on CD, 2014, Esoteric Recordings)
  • Wheelin' 'N' Dealin', 1975, Chrysalis: CHR 1076
  • Riding High, 1976, Chrysalis: CHR 1100
  • Sassafras Live, 2002, Iberico Records: IB89001
  • Wheelin' 'N' Dealin' / Riding High, 2005, Gott Discs: GOTTCD026
  • Expecting Company, 2014, CD re-issue, Esoteric Recordings, plus two bonus tracks

DVDs
  • Sassafras Live DVD, 2002, Iberico Records

References
  1. "The Progressive Aspect – TPA – Progressive Rock News, CD Reviews, Concerts, UK Gig Guide, Interviews and More » Sassafras – Expecting Company". Theprogressiveaspect.net. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  2. "Cherry Red Records - Sassafras - Expecting Company: Remastered and Expanded Edition - Esoteric Recordings". cherryred.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  3. "BBC - Blogs - Wales - Wales' best guitarists". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  4. "The Band". Son of Man. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  5. "Sassafras". BandToBand.
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