Hubbry Logo
Ten Years AfterTen Years AfterMain
Open search
Ten Years After
Community hub
Ten Years After
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ten Years After
Ten Years After
Ten Years After
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Ten Years After is an English blues rock group formed in Nottingham in 1966. They had eight consecutive albums in the Top 40 on the UK Albums Chart between 1968 and 1973.[2] They also had twelve albums enter the US Billboard 200.[3] The band are best known for tracks such as "I'm Going Home", "Hear Me Calling", "I'd Love to Change the World" and "Love Like a Man".

Key Information

History

[edit]

Formation: 1962–1966

[edit]
Leo Lyons and Joe Gooch of Ten Years After at Suwałki Blues Festival, 2009

The band's core formed in late 1960 as Ivan Jay and the Jaycats. After several years of local success in the Nottingham/Mansfield area, they changed their name to the Jaybirds in 1962, and later to Ivan Jay and the Jaymen. Ivan Jay sang lead vocals from late 1960 to 1962 and was joined by Ric Lee in August 1965, replacing drummer Dave Quickmire who had replaced Pete Evans in 1962. Roy Cooper played rhythm guitar and sang from 1960 to 1962. The Jaybirds moved to London to back the Ivy League in 1966.[4]

Chick Churchill joined the group as keyboard player in 1966. That November, the quartet signed a manager, Chris Wright, and changed their name to Blues Trip. Using the name Blues Yard they played one show at the Marquee Club supporting the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. Alvin Lee and Leo Lyons again changed their name in 1966 to Ten Years After – in honour of Elvis Presley,[5] one of Lee's idols.[5] (This was ten years after Presley's successful year, 1956.)[4][6] Some sources[7] claim that the name was pulled by Leo Lyons from a magazine, advertising a book, Suez Ten Years After (referring to the Suez Crisis).

Ten Years After: 1967–1974

[edit]

The group was the first act booked by the soon-to-be Chrysalis Agency. They secured a residency at the Marquee, and were invited to play at the Windsor Jazz Festival in 1967. That performance led to a contract with Deram, a subsidiary of Decca – they were the first band without a hit single that Deram signed. In October 1967 they released the self-titled debut album Ten Years After.[8] In 1968, after touring Scandinavia and the United States, they released a second LP, the live album Undead, with a first version of the song "I'm Going Home".[8]

The group followed this in February 1969 with the studio issue Stonedhenge, a British hit that included another well-known track, "Hear Me Calling", which was released as a single (and was covered by the British glam rock band Slade in 1972). In July 1969, the group appeared at the first instance of the Newport Jazz Festival that rock bands were invited to. On 26 and 27 July 1969, they appeared at the Seattle Pop Festival held at Gold Creek Park. On 17 August, the band performed a breakthrough American appearance at the Woodstock Festival; their rendition of "I'm Going Home" with Alvin Lee as lead singer/lead guitarist was featured in both the subsequent film and soundtrack album and increased the group's popularity.[8] In 1970, Ten Years After released "Love Like a Man", the group's only hit in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at No. 10.[2] It was the first record issued with a different playing speed on each side: a three-minute edit at 45 rpm, and a nearly eight-minute live version at 33 rpm.[citation needed] The full studio version song appeared on the band's fifth album, their most successful in Britain, Cricklewood Green.[8] In August 1970, they played the Strawberry Fields Festival near Toronto, and the Isle of Wight Festival 1970.[9]

In 1971, the band switched labels to Columbia Records (US) and Chrysalis (UK) and released the hit album A Space in Time, which marked a move toward more commercial material.[8] It featured the group's biggest hit, "I'd Love to Change the World".[8] In late 1972, the group issued their second Columbia album Rock & Roll Music to the World and, in 1973, the live double album Ten Years After Recorded Live. The band broke up after their final 1974 Columbia album, Positive Vibrations.[8]

Post-break-up, then reunion

[edit]

In the second half of the 1970s and early 1980s, Alvin Lee toured with a new band he called Ten Years Later.

The original Ten Years After reunited in 1983 to play the Reading Festival,[10] and this performance was later released on CD as The Friday Rock Show Sessions – Live at Reading '83.

In 1988, the members reunited for a few concerts and recorded the album About Time (1989) with producer Terry Manning in Memphis.[6][8] They stayed together for their longest continuous period, until 2003, though without releasing new material. In 1994, they participated in the Eurowoodstock festival in Budapest.

In 2003, the other band members replaced Alvin Lee with Joe Gooch, and recorded the album Now.[8] Material from the subsequent tour was used for the 2005 double album Roadworks.[8] Alvin Lee mostly played and recorded under his own name following his split from the band. He died from complications during a routine medical procedure on 6 March 2013.[11][12][13] Ric Lee is currently[when?] in a band called Ric Lee's Natural Born Swingers, along with Bob Hall. In January 2014, it was announced that Gooch and Lyons had left Ten Years After.[14] Two months later, veteran bass player Colin Hodgkinson and singer/guitarist Marcus Bonfanti were announced as their replacements.[15] In October 2017, the band released its most recent studio album, A Sting in the Tale.[16]

In September 2024, it was announced the lineup of Lee, Churchill, Bonfanti, and Hodgkinson had split and Lee intended to premiere a new lineup in early 2025. In early 2025, this lineup was announced, consisting of Ric Lee, Samuel C Lees, Craig Fletcher, and Dave Burgoyne. This new lineup currently has shows announced in both the UK, and Europe.[17]

Band members

[edit]

Timeline

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Ten Years After discography

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ten Years After

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ten Years After is a formed in 1966 in , , renowned for their electrifying live performances, particularly their set at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, and for blending traditions with high-speed rock energy led by guitarist . The band originated from earlier groups in the area, evolving from the Jaybirds, a and outfit started by guitarist (born Graham Anthony Barnes) in 1960, which later incorporated bassist in 1963. By 1966, with the addition of drummer (no relation to Alvin) and keyboardist , the quartet renamed themselves Ten Years After, a nod to the passage of time since Elvis Presley's influence on the British rock scene. Their breakthrough came with the 1968 live album , recorded at London's Klooks Kleek club, which captured Alvin Lee's blistering guitar solos and propelled them to international attention. Ten Years After's popularity peaked in the late 1960s and early , with eight albums reaching the Top 40 between 1968 and 1973, including (1969), (1970, peaking at No. 14 on the ), and their most commercially successful release, (1971, No. 17 , featuring the Top 40 single "I'd Love to "). Their Woodstock appearance on August 17, 1969, included a marathon rendition of "I'm Going Home," which became a signature track and emblem of the festival's spirit, drawing from their raw, improvisational style influenced by American artists like and . The original lineup disbanded in 1973 after Alvin Lee pursued solo projects, though the band briefly reunited for tours in the late 1980s. continued his career until his death on March 6, 2013, at age 68, from complications following routine surgery in . Subsequent reunions without Lee, led by founding members and , toured intermittently from the 2000s onward with varying lineups, such as vocalist/guitarist from 2003 to 2014, followed from 2014 by guitarist/vocalist and bassist alongside and until their disbandment in 2024. As of November 2025, Ric Lee has revived Ten Years After with a new lineup featuring Samuel C. Lees on guitar and vocals, Craig Fletcher on bass and vocals, and Dave Burgoyne on keyboards, conducting UK and European tours alongside a forthcoming album and ensuring the band's enduring legacy in blues rock.

History

Formation and early career (1960–1966)

Ten Years After originated in late 1960 in , England, when guitarist and vocalist and bassist formed the group initially known as Ivan Jay and the Jaycats, with singer Ivan Jay and an early drummer. The band achieved local success in the and areas, performing on the club circuit and drawing inspiration from artists such as , , , and , which shaped their early sound. In 1962, following Ivan Jay's departure—with taking over lead vocals—the group rebranded as the Jaybirds and continued building a regional following through gigs in local venues, while experimenting with their first recordings that captured their blues-oriented covers. Drummer (no relation to Alvin) joined in August 1965, solidifying the core trio alongside occasional lineup adjustments, as the band honed its high-energy performances amid the burgeoning scene. By 1966, the Jaybirds relocated to to serve as the backing band for the vocal group the , marking a pivotal shift toward broader opportunities. Keyboardist joined later that year, expanding the lineup and enhancing their sound, which led to signing with under manager Chris Wright. In November 1966, they adopted the name Ten Years After, a reference to the ten years since Elvis Presley's breakthrough in 1956, reflecting Alvin Lee's admiration for the rock pioneer. This rebranding positioned the group for their transition from R&B covers to original material, culminating in their debut single and self-titled album releases in 1967.

Rise to international fame (1967–1973)

In 1968, Ten Years After gained initial momentum with the release of their live album , recorded at London's Klooks Kleek club on May 14 of that year and issued in August, which captured the band's raw blues-rock energy through extended improvisations like the 20-minute "Albinoni's Blues." The album marked their first significant exposure beyond the , coinciding with their debut U.S. tour in June, a seven-week grind that included performances alongside acts like and introduced Alvin Lee's blistering guitar work to American audiences. This period solidified their reputation for high-octane live shows, blending with psychedelic edges, as they navigated early international bookings that tested their endurance. The band's breakthrough came at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, where their August 17 performance, particularly the frenetic 10-minute rendition of "I'm Going Home," was viewed by millions through the subsequent , catapulting them to U.S. and shifting perceptions from a club act to a festival powerhouse. Drummer later recalled the set as career-defining, noting the humid conditions challenged their gear but Lee's rapid-fire guitar solos—clocking up to 150 bpm—drove the crowd's response, embedding the band in the narrative. Buoyed by this visibility, they returned to for tours supporting major acts like The Who and headlining their own dates, while their relentless schedule—over 200 shows annually—began fostering internal strains over creative direction and exhaustion. Studio efforts fueled their commercial ascent, with Ssssh (1969) peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard 200, featuring Lee's versatile riffing on tracks like "Hear Me Calling." Follow-up Cricklewood Green (1970) climbed to No. 14, showcasing tighter songcraft in songs such as "50,000 Miles Beneath My Feet" and yielding the single "Love Like a Man," which reached No. 98 on the Billboard Hot 100 and highlighted Lee's storytelling lyrics over driving blues grooves. Watt (also 1970) continued their momentum. Their pinnacle arrived with A Space in Time (1971), hitting No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and producing the Top 40 single "I'd Love to Change the World" (No. 40), a folk-inflected anthem that broadened their appeal amid ongoing European and North American tours, including a standout slot at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival before 600,000 attendees. Alvin Lee's guitar virtuosity, characterized by lightning-fast pentatonic runs and feedback-laden solos, remained the sonic anchor, propelling the band's sound through these years, though the grueling pace—often 300 gigs per year—exacerbated tensions, with Lee later citing burnout as a factor in shifting dynamics. Despite these pressures, the era established Ten Years After as blues-rock stalwarts, their live prowess and hits sustaining fame until the mid-1970s.

Disbandment and reunions (1974–present)

Following their exhaustive 1973 tour, Ten Years After disbanded in 1974 amid burnout from relentless road schedules and emerging creative tensions within the group. Guitarist and frontman , in particular, expressed fatigue from the band's non-stop pace, noting they had completed around 50 U.S. tours over six years, which left him seeking new artistic directions. The split came after the release of their final studio album with the original lineup, Positive Vibrations, issued in April 1974 on . Lee quickly pivoted to a solo path, releasing On the Road to Freedom in November 1973—a collaborative effort with musician that blended , , and spiritual elements. The album, featuring contributions from guests like on , marked Lee's exploration of more personal and gospel-infused sounds outside the band's high-energy blues-rock framework. Throughout the , the original members staged occasional one-off reunions, such as their appearance at the 1983 Reading Festival in , capitalizing on lingering Woodstock-era nostalgia. These performances built momentum for a more substantial comeback, culminating in a full reunion of , , , and in 1988. The lineup embarked on an extensive tour across and through 1989, including a historic performance as the first Western rock act at the in , during which they recorded their sole post-1974 studio album, About Time, released that year on Polydor. Produced by Terry Manning in Memphis, the record revisited the band's blues-rock roots while incorporating contemporary production. Entering the 2000s, renewed interest sparked further activity when drummer uncovered unreleased tapes from the band's 1970 shows, leading to the 2001 double-live album Live at the . This release prompted another reunion tour in 2002–2003, with the original quartet performing select dates in the U.S. and before parting ways again. maintained a steady solo career, issuing albums like In (2004) and touring sporadically, until his sudden death on March 6, 2013, at age 68 from complications following routine for an atrial in . The band's legacy endured under Ric Lee's stewardship, with Churchill remaining on keyboards and new members joining after bassist ' departure in 2014. This iteration toured internationally and marked the group's 50th anniversary with the 2017 studio album A Sting in the Tale, self-released and recorded at the band's historic Studios, featuring fresh originals that echoed their foundational blues-rock style. In September 2024, the lineup including Churchill announced its disbandment following farewell concerts in , citing a desire to retire after a decade together; however, Ric Lee affirmed plans to revive Ten Years After with a fresh ensemble to sustain the music. By 2025, Lee had formed the new group with vocalist-guitarist Samuel C. Lees, bassist-vocalist Craig Fletcher, and keyboardist Dave Burgoyne, resuming live performances.

Musical style and influences

Blues rock foundations

Ten Years After's musical foundation was deeply rooted in the blues traditions of the American South and urban scene, with guitarist citing early exposure to artists such as and through his father's record collection. Broonzy's fingerpicking technique profoundly shaped Lee's rapid, articulate guitar style, evident in the band's reliance on classic 12-bar progressions that formed the backbone of their early recordings. Similarly, the raw energy of pioneers like contributed to the group's gritty, amplified sound, blending Delta origins with electric intensity to create a bridge between traditional and emerging rock forms. The band also drew heavily from the burgeoning British blues revival of the 1960s, where figures like and pioneered the adaptation of American blues for UK audiences, influencing Ten Years After's formation within Nottingham's local scene. Korner's Blues Incorporated and Mayall's Bluesbreakers provided a template for fusing blues with rock energy, which Ten Years After echoed in their instrumental interplay and rhythmic drive. Keyboardist further enriched this foundation by incorporating jazz-inflected lines, drawing inspiration from organ master Jimmy Smith to add improvisational depth and tonal warmth to the blues-rock framework. Lyrically, Ten Years After channeled the revival, emphasizing themes of personal freedom and social critique amid societal upheaval. Songs like "I'd Love to Change the World" addressed inequality with lines urging to " the rich, feed the poor," reflecting a call for economic justice and individual liberation rooted in the era's activist spirit. This approach aligned the band with contemporaries such as and , who similarly electrified structures—drawing from ' electric innovations—into high-energy rock anthems that captured the countercultural while preserving authenticity.

Live performance innovations and evolution

Ten Years After's live performances were characterized by high-energy sets that emphasized extended improvisational jams, particularly on tracks like "I'm Going Home," where guitarist Alvin Lee's rapid picking and blistering solos, often reaching tempos around 119 bpm, captivated audiences with their velocity and precision. This approach evolved the band's sound through onstage stamina and technical flair, transforming standard songs into dynamic spectacles that highlighted Lee's fingerstyle technique and the rhythm section's driving pulse. Central to their tonal innovations was Lee's use of a modified 1959 guitar, nicknamed "Big Red," paired with Marshall Super Lead 100-watt amplifiers, which produced a signature distorted, overdriven tone that amplified the band's during live shows. In the late , their sets shifted from covers of 1960s R&B standards to more experimental psychedelic explorations, as seen in festival appearances where they stretched Willie Dixon's "" into a 7-minute-plus jam at Woodstock in 1969, demonstrating endurance before a massive crowd and influencing the emerging ethos with its emphasis on prolonged, collective improvisation. This Woodstock performance, part of a 75-minute set, solidified their reputation for authentic, unrelenting energy that bridged traditions with rock's expansive possibilities. Following the band's 1973 disbandment and subsequent reunions, particularly after Alvin Lee's death in 2013, the evolving lineups under drummer have adapted their improvisational core to modern contexts, incorporating subtle digital effects for enhanced clarity while maintaining the tradition of extended jams on classics like "I'm Going Home." Following the 2024 disbandment of the previous lineup, drummer revived Ten Years After in early 2025 with a new configuration featuring Samuel C. Lees (guitar and vocals), Craig Fletcher (bass and vocals), and Dave Burgoyne (keyboards, violin, and vocals). As of 2025, the revived band has continued touring in the UK and , performing classics alongside new material from an upcoming album, preserving the high-energy authenticity of past shows but with refined production to suit contemporary venues. Critics have lauded Ten Years After's live work for its genuine blues-rooted intensity and Lee's virtuosic prowess, often citing Woodstock as a pinnacle of stamina-driven performance that felt viscerally real amid the era's excesses. However, later tours and reunion efforts drew some critique for occasional formulaic repetition in set structures, though the band's commitment to continued to earn praise for sustaining their foundational spirit.

Personnel

Core and original members

The core and original lineup of Ten Years After, active from 1966 to 1974, consisted of on lead guitar and vocals, on bass, on keyboards, and on drums. This quartet, formed in , , defined the band's blues-rock identity through their high-energy performances and Woodstock fame. Alvin Lee (born Graham Anthony Barnes, December 19, 1944, – died March 6, 2013) served as the band's frontman, lead guitarist, and primary vocalist, renowned for his blistering speed—earning him the nickname "Captain Speedfingers"—and warm, overdriven tone achieved with guitars and . His virtuosic solos and songwriting, blending with rock improvisation, were central to the band's dynamic sound and international breakthrough. After the 1974 disbandment, Lee formed Ten Years Later with new members, releasing albums like Rocket Fuel Ballet (1971, reissued under his name), and pursued a prolific solo career, issuing over a dozen records including Still on the Road to Freedom (2012), until his death from abdominal surgery complications. Leo Lyons (born November 30, 1944, ), the band's co-founder and bassist, provided a solid, groove-oriented rhythmic foundation that anchored 's frenetic leads and enabled the group's extended jams. Starting in earlier outfits like the Jaybirds with , Lyons' work emphasized -rooted propulsion and proto-metal intensity, contributing to the band's . Post-1974, he collaborated on reunions like 100% TYA and shifted to production, engineering albums for artists including American acts. He departed the reunion lineup in 2014. Chick Churchill (born Michael George Churchill, January 2, 1946, ), the keyboardist, infused jazz-blues textures into the band's rock framework using , piano, and , adding melodic depth and atmospheric layers to tracks like those on (1968). Joining shortly after formation, his classical training from age six enhanced the group's improvisational live sets. Following the breakup, Churchill managed artists at Chrysalis Music from 1976 and continued performing with reunion lineups until departing in September 2024. Ric Lee (born Richard Lee, October 20, 1945, ), the drummer and no relation to Alvin, delivered a powerful, shuffling backbeat that drove the band's relentless tempo and stage intensity, often using a Ludwig kit for their signature rhythms. He completed the original upon joining in 1965. After 1974, Lee participated in sporadic reunions and leads Ten Years After Continued, maintaining the band's legacy through tours and a planned 2025 album.

Reunion and supporting lineups

Following the band's initial disbandment in 1974, Ten Years After reunited sporadically, with lineup configurations evolving significantly after the classic era. In 1983, the original members—Alvin Lee on guitar and vocals, on bass, on keyboards, and on drums—reconvened for a performance at the Reading Festival, marking their first collective appearance in nearly a decade. This brief reunion highlighted the enduring chemistry among the core quartet, though no new recordings emerged from it. The group reunited more substantially in 1988 for a series of concerts and to record the album About Time (released in 1989), again featuring the original four members: , , , and . During this period, Alvin Lee occasionally incorporated guest musicians for live dates, including former guitarist , who joined him for European and U.S. tours in 1981 as part of the Alvin Lee Band, contributing and adding a blues-infused edge to performances of Ten Years After material. These collaborations bridged Lee's solo endeavors with the band's legacy, though Taylor's involvement was limited to select shows rather than full album sessions. By the early 2000s, had stepped away from full-time commitments, leading to a reconfigured lineup centered on surviving original members , , and . In 2003, guitarist and vocalist joined as Lee's replacement, bringing a fresh energy to the band's blues-rock sound while honoring classic songs. This iteration toured extensively through the decade, releasing albums like Now (2008) that blended original compositions with reinterpreted hits. After Alvin Lee's death in 2013, the band continued under the name Ten Years After Continued, with remaining on guitar until 2014, when departed and was replaced by bassist , known for his work with and jazz-rock outfits. , a British Blues Awards winner, succeeded on guitar, joining , , and Hodgkinson to maintain an active touring schedule focused on high-energy renditions of the band's catalog. This lineup performed steadily until September 2024, when Churchill, Bonfanti, and Hodgkinson announced their departure, citing a desire to pursue other projects. As of November 2025, has reformed Ten Years After with a new supporting lineup, including guitarist and vocalist Samuel C. Lees, bassist and vocalist Craig Fletcher, and keyboardist Dave Burgoyne, enabling continued tours in the UK and alongside a forthcoming album that revisits the band's foundational blues-rock style. This configuration ensures the group's legacy persists through Lee's stewardship, without involvement from other original members.

Discography

Studio albums

Ten Years After's debut studio album, Ten Years After, was released in December 1967 by , featuring a mix of blues covers like "" and originals such as "Lost Time," showcasing the band's early raw -rock sound influenced by . Recorded at Decca Studios in , it highlighted Alvin Lee's guitar work and the rhythm section's solid foundation, though it achieved only modest commercial success in the UK with limited sales. Critics noted its energetic but unpolished vibe, earning a retrospective rating of 7.9 out of 10 for capturing the band's nascent potential. Stonedhenge, released in February 1969 by , built on the debut with more original compositions blending and psychedelic elements, including tracks like "Going to Try" and "I Can't Live Without Lydia." Recorded at Decca Studios, it featured extended improvisations and Chick Churchill's keyboard work, achieving UK Top 10 status and earning an rating of 7.0 out of 10 for its transitional energy. The band's breakthrough came with in October 1969 on Deram (later reissued by Chrysalis), their first U.S. Top 20 album, propelled by the single "Love Like a Man," which blended boogie rhythms with Lee's fiery solos. Recorded at , it marked a shift to more original material amid rising post-Woodstock fame, with key tracks like "Hear Me Calling" demonstrating extended improvisations and Chick Churchill's organ flourishes. Reception was strong, praised for its vitality and Lee's multi-instrumental contributions on guitar and vocals, attaining an 8.4 out of 10 rating. Cricklewood Green, issued in April 1970 by Chrysalis, explored environmental themes in tracks like "Circles" and the psychedelic "50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain," reflecting the era's ecological concerns alongside hard-driving blues-rock. Produced at with Lee handling much of the instrumentation, it solidified their international profile, featuring Ric Lee's dynamic drumming on standouts such as "Year of the Guru." The album received high acclaim for its balance of heaviness and melody, earning an 8.7 out of 10. Watt, released in December 1970 by Deram, showcased the band's evolving sound with hard rock edges and covers like "Sweet Little Sixteen," recorded primarily in September 1970 at Olympic Studios. It highlighted Leo Lyons' bass prominence and Lee's production, peaking at No. 21 on the US Billboard 200, with an AllMusic rating of 7.5 out of 10 for its raw power. Their commercial peak arrived with A Space in Time in August 1971 on Chrysalis, including the acoustic-driven hit single "I'd Love to Change the World," which reached No. 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and addressed social issues. Recorded at Olympic Studios, it incorporated diverse elements like cello on "One of These Days" and Lee's versatile production, with Leo Lyons' bass anchoring the mix. Widely regarded as their most accessible work, it topped charts in several countries and holds an 8.5 out of 10 rating for its songcraft. Rock & Roll Music to the World, released in 1972 by Chrysalis, emphasized straightforward with the title track's anthemic energy and Lee's Gibson ES-335-driven riffs, recorded amid intense touring schedules. Key cuts like "Choo Choo " highlighted the band's rhythmic drive, though it leaned heavier without the prior innovation. It charted respectably but drew mixed reviews for formulaic tendencies, retrospectively rated at 7.5 out of 10. The final original-lineup album, Positive Vibrations in April 1974 on Chrysalis, incorporated and influences in tracks like the title song and "Nowhere to Run," recorded at Studios as internal tensions rose. Lee's production emphasized grooves over solos, marking a stylistic evolution. Reception was cooler, with a 6.8 out of 10 rating, seen as a transitional effort amid the band's impending disbandment. Following a hiatus, the reunion album About Time emerged in August 1989 via Chrysalis, reuniting Lee, Lyons, Churchill, and Lee with fresh material like "Big Bad Noise," recorded to recapture their blues-rock essence. It featured Lee's continued multi-instrumentalism but shorter tracks suited to 1980s production. Critics welcomed the return, rating it 7.2 out of 10 for nostalgic vigor, though it didn't match earlier peaks. The band's label shift from Deram to Chrysalis after 1968 had enabled broader distribution and production polish under Lee's oversight. Later reunions produced additional studio albums, including Now in July 2004 (self-released by the band), featuring the lineup with , , and new members, blending classics and new tracks like "When My Baby Left Me." , released in January 2008 (self-released), continued with original member and others, offering updates such as "Big River." The most recent, A Sting in the Tale (October 2017, Cleopatra), by the iteration with and , included tracks like "" with modern production touches. As of November 2025, plans a new album with the revived lineup, though not yet released.

Live recordings and compilations

Ten Years After's live recordings capture the band's renowned improvisational prowess and high-energy performances, particularly during their peak years in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their debut live album, , released in July 1968 on , was recorded at the Klooks Kleek jazz club in on May 14, 1968. The album features extended jams, including a 17-minute rendition of Willie Dixon's "," highlighting Alvin Lee's blistering guitar work and the group's blues-rock foundations. It marked a breakthrough, establishing their reputation for dynamic stage presence. In 1973, the double album was issued on , compiling performances from the band's 1972 European tour across four nights in , , , and , using the Rolling Stones' mobile studio. Without overdubs, it showcases their peak concert energy through extended tracks like "Help Me" and "I'm Going Home," reflecting the improvisational evolution that defined their live shows. The 1971 compilation Goin' Home, released by Deram, blended studio tracks with excerpts from the band's Woodstock Festival performance, including the iconic "I'm Going Home." Tied to the Woodstock film's success, it helped preserve the band's legacy from the 1969 event, where their set reached an estimated 500,000 attendees and boosted global recognition through the . Following the band's 1973 disbandment, reunion efforts produced further live releases, such as in 2005 on Rhino Records, featuring the reformed lineup with original members and alongside new additions, recorded across various tour dates to demonstrate their enduring live vitality. A 2001 live recording from East captures reunion-era performances, emphasizing their continued festival appeal. In 2024, Woodstock 1969 was released, presenting the full Woodstock set in high quality, reinforcing the performance's historical significance. Key compilations include the 2002 Platinum Collection on Hip-O Records, a two-CD set of rarities and hits that underscores their commercial impact, and the 2021 archival release In Session as part of the 1967-1974 on Chrysalis, drawing from radio and unreleased sessions to highlight early improvisational essence. These efforts, alongside Woodstock's lasting influence, have sustained the band's catalog, with live works like contributing to over a million combined U.S. for their early Deram releases.

References

  1. https://rocklegendscruise.com/rlc13/artists/ten-years-after/
  2. https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/news/detail/ten-years-after-50-years-of-peace-music
  3. https://vinylwritermusic.wordpress.com/2021/05/10/an-interview-with-leo-lyons-of-ten-years-after/
  4. https://discover.hubpages.com/entertainment/Woodstock-Performers-Ten-Years-After
  5. https://www.alvinlee.de/2002.htm
  6. https://musicenthusiast.net/2022/06/29/a-six-pack-of-ten-years-after/
  7. https://www.vintageguitar.com/13528/ten-years-after/
  8. https://www.alvinlee.de/1989.htm
  9. https://www.goldminemag.com/interviews/rock/ten-years-after-more-than-50-years-later/
  10. https://chriskimsey.com/2023/02/02/ten-years-after-50th-anniversary-a-space-in-time-remix/
  11. https://www.facebook.com/woodstock4me/posts/love-like-a-man-is-a-song-and-hit-single-by-british-blues-rock-group-ten-years-a/1127338789535535/
  12. https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2021/03/remembering-alvin-lee-december-19-1944-march-6-2013-a-personal-tribute/
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/arts/music/alvin-lee-guitarist-of-ten-years-after-dies-at-68.html
  14. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/03/07/173630819/alvin-lee-is-going-home-ten-years-after-guitarist-dies
  15. https://www.classicrockhistory.com/complete-list-of-ten-years-after-band-members/
  16. https://www.ten-years-after.co.uk/
  17. https://www.facebook.com/tenyearsafterband/
  18. https://www.loudersound.com/news/ten-years-after-split
  19. https://www.sasktalent.com/resources/evolution-of-the-blues/ten-years-after.html
  20. https://www.alvinlee.de/pre_tya.htm
  21. https://vinylwritermusic.wordpress.com/2021/01/22/an-interview-with-ric-lee-of-ten-years-after/
  22. https://www.alvinlee.de/tya_bio.htm
  23. https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2016/02/leo-lyons-interview-about-ten-years.html
  24. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/woodstock-and-the-making-of-ten-years-after/
  25. https://rockandrollgarage.com/ten-years-after-drummer-explains-the-origin-of-the-bands-name/
  26. https://www.discogs.com/artist/253987-Ten-Years-After
  27. https://www.allmusic.com/album/undead-mw0000652119
  28. https://www.bear-family.com/ten-years-after-undead.html
  29. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/woodstock-1969-ten-years-after-performance-1235753164/
  30. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/ten-years-afters-ric-lee-woodstock-anniversary-8525810/
  31. https://www.ultimateclassicrock.com/ten-years-after-ssssh/
  32. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/alvin-lee-of-ten-years-after-dead-at-68-1550730/
  33. https://www.allmusic.com/album/cricklewood-green-mw0000650879
  34. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/alvin-lees-long-road-to-freedom-185416/
  35. https://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-road-to-freedom-mw0000031787
  36. https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-sting-in-the-tale-mw0003049335
  37. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ten-years-after-split-up/
  38. https://countrystandardtime.com/d/print_article.asp?xid=561
  39. https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2023/03/ten-years-after-the-passing-of-blues-rock-guitar-legend-alvin-lee/
  40. https://www.alvinlee.de/rockspective5.htm
  41. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/songs-that-influenced-the-rolling-stones/
  42. https://news.pollstar.com/2024/10/15/musical-influence-award-rock-hall-honors-alexis-korner-john-mayall-big-mama-thorntons-impact-on-pop-music/
  43. https://www.alvinlee.de/1992.htm
  44. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-incredible-and-influential-jimmy-smith/
  45. https://genius.com/Ten-years-after-id-love-to-change-the-world-lyrics
  46. https://songbpm.com/@ten-years-after/i-m-going-home
  47. https://www.alvinlee.de/1983.htm
  48. https://www.ultimateclassicrock.com/ten-years-after-woodstock-1969/
  49. https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/gear-talk-former-ten-years-after-guitarist-alvin-lee
  50. https://www.guitarchalk.com/alvin-lee-ten-years-after-amp-settings/
  51. https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/ten-years-after-woodstock-1969
  52. https://music.apple.com/us/song/spoonful-live-at-woodstock-17th-august-1969/1741001628
  53. https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2024/08/ten-years-after-premiere-their-complete-1969-woodstock-festival-set/
  54. https://www.instagram.com/tenyearsafterband/
  55. https://www.goldminemag.com/artist-news/ten-years-after-get-first-stand-alone-release-of-woodstock-69/
  56. https://starlingdb.org/music/tenyears.htm
  57. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ten-years-after-mn0000020050
  58. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alvin-lee-mn0000011620
  59. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/leo-lyons-mn0000248546
  60. http://ten-years-after.co.uk/chickchurchill.htm
  61. https://www.discogs.com/release/898316-Ten-Years-After-About-Time
  62. https://alvinlee.com/timeline/1980s/
  63. https://www.facebook.com/groups/263941474666858/posts/1394895334904794/
  64. https://www.discogs.com/master/29514-Ten-Years-After-Ten-Years-After
  65. https://www.allmusic.com/album/ten-years-after-mw0000195633
  66. https://www.discogs.com/master/29462-Ten-Years-After-Stonedhenge
  67. https://www.allmusic.com/album/stonedhenge-mw0000199979
  68. https://www.allmusic.com/album/ssssh-mw0000199169
  69. https://www.discogs.com/master/29464-Ten-Years-After-Cricklewood-Green
  70. https://www.discogs.com/master/29513-Ten-Years-After-Watt
  71. https://www.allmusic.com/album/watt-mw0000194928
  72. https://www.discogs.com/master/29457-Ten-Years-After-A-Space-In-Time
  73. https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-space-in-time-mw0000192047
  74. https://www.discogs.com/master/29509-Ten-Years-After-Rock-Roll-Music-To-The-World
  75. https://www.allmusic.com/album/positive-vibrations-mw0000200703
  76. https://www.discogs.com/master/386142-Ten-Years-After-Now
  77. https://www.discogs.com/master/1075369-Ten-Years-After-Evolution
  78. https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-sting-in-the-tale-mw0003103100
  79. https://www.discogs.com/master/29497-Ten-Years-After-Ten-Years-After-Undead
  80. https://www.allmusic.com/album/recorded-live-mw0000198540
  81. https://www.discogs.com/master/1075370-Ten-Years-After-Roadworks-Live
  82. https://www.discogs.com/master/29515-Ten-Years-After-Live-At-The-Fillmore-East
  83. https://open.spotify.com/album/woodstock-1969-ten-years-after
  84. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Ten+Years+After#search_section
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.