Queen: The Complete Works Read Online Free PDF Page B

friends; it was inevitable that Freddie’s path would cross with Brian and Roger’s, which ultimately led to the formation of Queen.
    Keyboardist Chris Smith was briefly introduced into the fold and played a few shows with the band, but was told that his services were no longer required in February 1969; the band felt that they had a full enough sound without him. A charity show was organized at the Royal Albert Hall on 27 February 1969, where Smile shared the bill with Joe Cocker, Spooky Tooth, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and Free, whose lead singer was Paul Rodgers. Smile were the headliners and were introduced, like the other bands, by legendary DJ John Peel, but their set started inauspiciously. When Tim walked out on stage, his bass guitar lead was too short and popped out of the amplifier by the time he reached the microphone at the front of the stage. He had also neglected to wear shoes or socks and discovered all too quickly that the stage was littered with splinters. Their set was filmed, albeit without sound, and included ‘If I Were A Carpenter’, an original by Tim called ‘Earth’, ‘Mony Mony’ and ‘See What A Fool I’ve Been’, which was derived from a Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee song called ‘That’s How I Feel’.
    After a gig in April 1969 at the Revolution Club, Smile were approached by an impressed Lou Reizner, a talent scout for Mercury Records, and offered a recording contract; it was accepted almost immediately. After two sessions in the summer of 1969, which saw six compositions recorded, a single – ‘Earth’, backed with ‘Step On Me’ – was released, though only in North America, where Smile had no fan base. The tactic had worked with Deep Purple’s debut single, ‘Hush’, but the Smile single failed to chart and their contract wasn’t renewed.
    But Mercury hadn’t completely given up on Smile yet: in December, they organized a showcase concert at the Marquee Club and had the band play as the main support to Kippington Lodge (featuring a young Nick Lowe). While Smile’s set was tight, the audience wasn’t as receptive as they would have hoped and the end was nigh for Smile. Brian was still a committed scholar and started to research zodiacal light; at the beginning of 1970, he studied in Tenerife (where the necessary equipment had been moved from Switzerland) and had two papers published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Brian’s absence from Smile was a portent for Tim: he was unsure if Brian would still be dedicated to the band on his return, deciding therefore to leave Smile and form another band. With a handful of prior commitments still to fulfil, Brian and Roger turned to the drummer’s bassistfriend Mike Grose to help them out for two dates – coincidentally, at a PJ’s Club, which Mike co-owned at the time – in April 1970, before coaxing Tim back for two more gigs later in April and May. But enough was enough for Tim, and his departure after that formally ended Smile; Tim went on to play in the bands No Joke! (also with Mike), Humpy Bong and Morgan. With their future in the music industry still unsure, Brian and Roger turned to Freddie Bulsara, the unofficial fourth member of Smile, for assistance.
    IBEX
    Spring–Autumn 1969
    Musicians : Mike Bersin ( guitar, vocals ), Freddie Bulsara ( vocals ), Geoff Higgins ( bass guitar ), Mick ‘Miffer’ Smith ( drums ), John ‘Tupp’ Taylor ( bass guitar, flute, vocals ), Richard Thompson ( drums, 23 August )
    Repertoire included : ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘I’m So Glad’, ‘Communication Breakdown’, ‘Rain’, ‘We’re Going Wrong’, ‘Rock Me Baby’, ‘Stone Free’, ‘Crossroads’, ‘Vagabond Outcast’, ‘We’re Going Home’
    Known itinerary :
    May 23, 1969: Honiton Hall, Penketh
    Summer 1969: Wade Deacon Grammar School for Girls, Widnes
    August 1969: Technical College, St Helens
    August 23, 1969: The Bolton’s Octagon Theatre, Bolton
    August 24, 1969: Open Air