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Steampacket
Steampacket
Steampacket
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Steampacket (sometimes shown as Steam Packet)[1] was a British blues band[2] formed in 1965 by Long John Baldry with Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll, and organist Brian Auger.

Key Information

History

[edit]

A musical revue rather than a single group,[3][4] Steampacket was formed in 1965 by Long John Baldry after the break-up of his previous group the Hoochie Coochie Men.[5] It included Rod Stewart who had been with Baldry in the Hoochie Coochie Men, vocalist Julie Driscoll, organist Brian Auger, guitarist Vic Briggs, Richard Brown aka Ricky Fenson on bass guitar and Micky Waller on drums. They were managed by Giorgio Gomelsky,[6] who had previously been involved with the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds.

Steampacket played at various clubs, theatres and student unions around the country, including supporting the Rolling Stones on their 1965 British tour.[7][8] Because of contractual difficulties, however, they never formally recorded a studio or live album. Tracks from some demo tapes they recorded at a rehearsal in the Marquee Club were released in 1970 on the French label BYG as Rock Generation: Volume 6 - The Steampacket (Or the First Supergroup).[9] The same material was later re-released under other titles, including First of the Supergroups: Early Days and The First Supergroup: Steampacket Featuring Rod Stewart, to cash in on Stewart's success.[10][11]

Aftermath

[edit]

Stewart left in early 1966, followed by Long John Baldry a few months later, and the group disbanded soon after. Long John Baldry then joined Bluesology which included a then unknown Elton John on keyboards,[12][13] before pursuing a solo career, having a number 1 hit record in the UK Singles Chart in 1967 with "Let the Heartaches Begin". Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and Vic Briggs formed Trinity, with Briggs departing later in 1966 to join Eric Burdon and The Animals. Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and The Trinity had a UK hit in 1968 with "This Wheel's on Fire". Rod Stewart later sang with the Jeff Beck Group, Faces, and as a solo artist. There is an urban legend that Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood, later of Fleetwood Mac, played with Steampacket. In fact Steampacket, with the exception of Rod Stewart's departure, had the same personnel from its inception to its disintegration. The group that Green and Fleetwood played in alongside Rod Stewart was Shotgun Express.[14]

Lineup

[edit]

References

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Steampacket

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The Steampacket was a short-lived band formed in 1965 by vocalist , featuring a lineup that included fellow vocalists and , organist , guitarist , bassist Ricky Brown, and drummer . The group operated more as a musical than a traditional band, performing high-energy covers of R&B and in clubs and on radio sessions, but disbanded in May 1966 after less than a year together, with no official studio album released during its existence. Despite its brevity, the Steampacket gained retrospective fame due to the subsequent successes of its members—Stewart became a global rock icon, Baldry a prominent and pop singer, Driscoll and Auger formed the influential jazz-rock act Julie Driscoll + Brian Auger, and Waller and Briggs contributed to other notable 1960s acts—highlighting the band's role as an early incubator for British rock talent. Archival recordings from sessions and rehearsals, such as tracks like "It's Alright," have since been compiled and released on compilations, preserving the group's raw, energetic style.

History

Formation

Steampacket was formed in 1965 by under the management of , who had previously worked with and the Yardbirds, as an innovative supergroup blending , , and influences. The ensemble was designed as a revue-style act rather than a conventional band, emphasizing dynamic live performances in London's burgeoning club scene. Gomelsky aimed to assemble top talents from the British blues revival to create a high-energy group that could captivate audiences with its eclectic sound and charismatic front line. The band's core was built around keyboardist and co-leader , whose provided the jazz-inflected backbone, drawing from his earlier work with the . Vocalists , , and formed the revue's powerhouse trio, with Baldry serving as the primary belter, Stewart bringing raw soul energy, and Driscoll adding a versatile, mod-infused flair at Auger's insistence. Supporting musicians included bassist Ricky Brown, drummer Mickey Waller, and guitarist , completing a lineup that reflected the era's cross-pollination of R&B and emerging rock elements. This formation emerged from the dissolution of Baldry's prior group, the Men, where Stewart and Driscoll had already contributed vocals, allowing Steampacket to capitalize on established chemistry while expanding into a more theatrical format under Gomelsky's guidance. The group quickly became a fixture in venues, supporting major acts like , though it never released official recordings during its active period, relying instead on unreleased demos captured by Gomelsky.

Career and Performances

Steampacket's career spanned from mid-1965 to late 1966, characterized by a rigorous schedule of live performances that defined their presence in the scene. Managed by , the band toured extensively across the , performing at a variety of venues including clubs, theaters, and university student unions, which helped build their reputation among enthusiasts despite lacking major support. A highlight of their early career was serving as a supporting act for during the British portion of the Stones' 1965 tour, which provided significant exposure. Specific dates included July 16 at the Odeon Theatre in , July 17 at the Guildhall in , and July 18 at the Gaumont Theatre in , where they shared bills with acts like and . The band also participated in prominent festivals, such as the 5th National Jazz & Blues Festival at the Richmond Athletic Association Grounds on August 8, 1965, alongside performers like the Yardbirds and . Throughout 1965 and into 1966, Steampacket maintained a heavy touring load, with documented appearances at iconic venues like the in , the in , and the in , often as part of all-night events or multi-act bills. Their repertoire focused on covers of American R&B and soul standards, delivered with dynamic vocals from , , and , backed by Brian Auger's organ-driven sound. In total, the group completed over 100 performances during their active period. Lineup changes impacted their later performances; Rod Stewart departed after his last show on March 18, 1966, at the Zambesi Club in Hounslow to join the Shotgun Express. The band persisted with adjustments, including a notable international stint—a month-long residency at Le Papagayo club in St. Tropez, France, in July 1966—before Long John Baldry's exit on August 7 at the Civic Hall in Guildford, signaling the end of their run. Contractual disputes with Gomelsky prevented any official album release at the time, though while no formal live album was released contemporaneously, posthumously issued demos from Marquee Club rehearsals and BBC session recordings capture their energetic stage presence.

Dissolution

The original lineup of Steampacket disbanded in early amid escalating internal conflicts, primarily stemming from the band's unconventional structure as a featuring multiple lead vocalists with separate management and recording interests. Managed collectively by , the group faced complications from three distinct managerial teams—those representing , , and the core ensemble—along with affiliations to four different record labels, which hindered cohesive planning and prevented the release of any official studio album during its tenure. Tensions came to a head in March 1966 when was dismissed from the band, with accounts varying on whether he was sacked due to earning a higher fee than his bandmates or quit amid creative differences; later described the situation as the group "falling on its arse" due to poor organization. Shortly after Stewart's exit, departed to form Bluesology, effectively ending the format that had defined Steampacket's live performances. The remaining members, and , briefly continued with replacement vocalists—Mick Softley and later others—through mid-1966, but the band ceased operations by September, having only produced demo tapes and sessions that were released posthumously.

Members

Vocals

Steampacket's vocal lineup featured a distinctive revue-style approach, with multiple singers alternating leads and harmonies to deliver energetic performances across their 1965–1966 tenure. The core vocalists were , , and , whose combined talents created a dynamic, soul-infused sound that highlighted the band's improvisational live sets. Long John Baldry served as the band's founder and primary male vocalist, bringing a commanding, gravelly shaped by his prior experience in circles. His powerful delivery anchored covers of R&B standards and original material, often leading on tracks like "" during rehearsals and gigs, while mentoring emerging talents in the group. Baldry's blues-rooted style emphasized emotional depth and stage presence, contributing to Steampacket's reputation as a high-energy touring act. Rod Stewart, a then-obscure 20-year-old, provided raw, raspy vocals that added youthful grit and soulful phrasing to the mix. Joining via Baldry's recommendation, Stewart shared lead duties with Baldry, particularly on harmonica-accompanied numbers, and his distinctive foreshadowed his later solo breakthroughs. His contributions were pivotal in the band's early formation, though he departed after about eight months to pursue other opportunities. Julie Driscoll complemented the male voices with her versatile, expressive soprano, offering a contrasting female perspective that enriched the band's gender-balanced format. Her clear, emotive singing shone in call-and-response segments and ballads, adapting fluidly to the group's evolving lineup; she remained the sole dedicated vocalist after the others' exits in 1966. Driscoll's role extended beyond Steampacket, influencing her subsequent collaborations. Brian Auger, primarily the organist, occasionally contributed backing vocals, supporting the leads with subtle harmonies during live improvisations. This multi-vocalist setup allowed Steampacket to perform extended sets without fatigue, though no official recordings fully captured their interplay due to contractual constraints.

Instrumentalists

The instrumental lineup of Steampacket provided a solid foundation, featuring experienced musicians who contributed to the band's energetic live performances during its brief existence from to 1966. The core instrumentalists included keyboardist , guitarist , bassist (real name Richard Brown), and drummer , whose collective expertise in and R&B helped support the vocal trio and drive the group's dynamic sound on tour. Brian Auger served as the band's organist, playing and adding a soulful, jazz-inflected layer to Steampacket's blues arrangements. A prominent figure in London's 1960s music scene, Auger had already established himself as a versatile keyboardist before joining, having recorded as a on Long John Baldry's early solo efforts. He played a key role in shaping the band's formation by insisting on the inclusion of vocalist , with whom he had been collaborating, which helped define Steampacket's innovative blend of R&B and emerging psychedelic elements during their support slots for acts like . Vic Briggs handled lead guitar duties, bringing a sharp, blues-rock edge to the ensemble with his technical proficiency honed in the British Invasion era. Prior to Steampacket, Briggs had performed with Brian Auger's Trinity, where he occasionally filled in on guitar alongside the same rhythm section of bassist Rick Brown and drummer Micky Waller, providing continuity to the group's sound. His time in Steampacket marked a pivotal step before joining Eric Burdon and the Animals in 1966, where his guitar work contributed to hits like "Monterey," but his contributions to the earlier band emphasized raw, improvisational solos that energized their club and tour sets. Ricky Fenson, the stage name of bassist , anchored the low end with a distinctive walking bass style that influenced contemporaries, including bassist . Born in 1945, Fenson was a sought-after session player in the mid-1960s blues circuit, briefly subbing for the during their early tours before committing to Steampacket. His alias derived from guitar brands Fender and Gibson, reflecting his roots in the instrument trade, and his steady, groove-oriented playing was essential to the band's tight , supporting extended jams in their live repertoire of covers from artists like and . Micky Waller provided the drumming, known for his powerful "Waller wallop" technique that delivered driving beats suited to the band's high-energy R&B performances. A prolific session born in 1941, Waller joined Steampacket in 1965, forging a lasting connection with vocalist that extended to Stewart's solo career and . His work in the band, including tours opening for major acts, showcased his versatility in blending shuffles with rock backbeats, helping Steampacket build a reputation for explosive live shows despite the lack of studio recordings. Waller passed away in 2008, leaving a legacy as one of the era's most reliable rock drummers.

Aftermath and Legacy

Career Trajectories

Following the dissolution of Steampacket in 1966, its members pursued diverse paths in music, with several achieving significant success in rock, blues, and session work. , one of the band's lead vocalists, transitioned to in , contributing to their albums Truth and , which helped establish his raspy vocal style in the heavy blues-rock genre. After Beck's group disbanded in 1969, Stewart co-founded the Faces with Ron Wood and , blending rock and soul on albums like First Step, while simultaneously launching a solo career that exploded with (1971), featuring the hit "," and subsequent multi-platinum releases that sold over 100 million records worldwide. Long John Baldry, the band's other primary vocalist and a towering figure at 6'7", continued his career post-Steampacket by leading Bluesology from 1966 to 1968, where pianist Reg Dwight (later ) honed his skills. Baldry's solo breakthrough came with the 1967 UK No. 1 hit "Let the Heartaches Begin," but after 1968, he focused on international touring and recording, relocating to in the 1970s for albums like Everything Stops for Tea (1972) and later to in the 1980s, where he released five albums on Stony Plain Records from 1991 onward, blending , folk, and . He also ventured into , notably as the narrator in Disney's read-along adaptations such as The Original Story of , until his death in 2005. Julie Driscoll, another key vocalist, partnered with organist after Steampacket to form the and later Julie Driscoll + , pioneering jazz-rock fusion with albums like Open (1967) and hits such as "" (1968), which reached the UK Top 10. Driscoll retired from music in the early 1970s to raise a family but returned in the 1980s as Julie Tippetts, focusing on and collaborations with her husband Keith Tippetts. Auger continued in jazz-rock, forming in 1970, releasing influential albums like Second Rain (1974) and touring extensively into the 2000s. Guitarist , who provided Steampacket's guitar work, joined in 1966, contributing to their psychedelic phase on albums like Winds of Change (1967), before moving to session production and engineering, working with artists like and later relocating to the for a career in music business and invention. Bassist Ricky Brown (also known as ) had a lower-profile career, playing sessions and briefly with other 1960s acts before fading from prominence. Drummer , a key part of the band's , followed Stewart to in 1967, drumming on their first two albums, then backed Stewart's solo tours in the early 1970s and worked with artists like until his death in 2008. These trajectories highlight Steampacket's role as a launchpad for British rock's evolution.

Recordings and Cultural Impact

Steampacket produced no official studio albums or commercial singles during its active years from 1965 to 1966. Instead, the band's limited recorded output consists primarily of rehearsal tapes captured in December 1965 at London's by producer . These sessions, featuring covers of R&B and standards like "Can I Get a Witness," "The In-Crowd," and "Baby, Take Me," were posthumously released on the compilation album The First Supergroup in 1977 by Charly Records, with later reissues emphasizing Rod Stewart's contributions. Additional material survives from BBC radio broadcasts in late 1965 and early 1966, including live performances of tracks such as "The Drifter" and "Stormy Monday Blues." These sessions, preserved on transcription discs, highlight the band's revue-style format with rotating lead vocals from , , and , supported by Brian Auger's . Archival releases like Long John Baldry & Steampacket: BBC Broadcasts 1965/1966 (2011, See For Miles Records) have made this material available, offering insight into their energetic club performances. The band's cultural impact stems largely from its role as a formative ensemble for several key figures in British rock and . Often cited as one of the earliest supergroups, predating acts like , Steampacket assembled rising talents in a collaborative R&B that bridged influences with the emerging scene. It provided with his first significant platform, where his raw, raspy delivery on shared vocals began to attract attention, paving the way for his breakthroughs with and Faces. Similarly, and 's time in the band informed their later innovations in jazz-rock fusion via the Brian Auger Trinity, while Long John Baldry's leadership underscored his enduring influence as a blues revivalist. Though short-lived, Steampacket's emphasis on high-energy, multi-vocalist sets helped energize the mid-1960s London club circuit and contributed to the broader British Invasion's soul-infused sound.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1032046-The-Steampacket
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jul/23/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries
  3. https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-of-long-john-baldry
  4. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-steampacket-mn0000220857
  5. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/08/brian-auger-awesome-pedigree
  6. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/may/28/obituaries.mainsection
  7. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/15/elton-john-zoot-keyboard-geniuses-party
  8. https://americansongwriter.com/this-british-rock-band-was-one-of-the-first-reverse-supergroups-and-i-bet-youve-never-heard-of-them/
  9. https://concerts.fandom.com/wiki/Steampacket
  10. https://www.last.fm/music/Steampacket/+wiki
  11. https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/footnote-archives-whatever-happened-to-driscoll-auger-trinity-part-i/
  12. https://onlyrockandroll.london/2023/03/28/new-vinyl-lps-from-mott-the-hoople-and-steampacket-released/
  13. https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/08/brian-auger-feature/
  14. https://jimihendrixrecordguide.com/briggs/
  15. https://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/interview-with-musician-chanter-teacher-antion-aka-vic-briggs
  16. https://carlolittle.wixsite.com/carlolittle/rick-brown
  17. https://www.discogs.com/artist/594541-Ricky-Brown-2
  18. https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/mickey-waller-drummer-who-worked-closely-with-rod-stewart-and-jeff-beck-0bf8zxpk9qw
  19. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mickey-waller-mn0000945493
  20. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/30-fascinating-early-bands-of-future-music-legends-200891/
  21. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rod-stewart-mn0000293896
  22. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/long-john-baldry-dies-at-64-62010/
  23. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/julie-driscoll-mn0000806528
  24. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brian-auger-mn0000917459
  25. https://www.discogs.com/release/3314831-The-Steampacket-The-First-Supergroup
  26. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/145271/Long-John-Baldry-Steampacket:Long-John-Baldry-Steampacket-BBC-Broadcasts-1965-1966
  27. https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/23/archives/rock-long-john-baldry-returns.html
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