Brian Epstein picked their name . . . John Lennon loved them . . . but they only released one single (and this song wasn’t on it). Apple lost interest . . . what a shame.
5) Factory, âPath Through the Forestâ
The Nuggets liner notes proclaim this October ’68 single to be “as memorable as it is obscure” and creating a âmagical, otherworldly mood.â Yup, yup.
6) The Honeybus, âI Canât Let Maggie Goâ
“Maggie,” written by Pete Dello, made it to #8 in the UK charts in March of ’68. But Pete didn’t want to be a rock star and quit the band! Honeybus nevertheless created more wonderful music, but without the success.
Bruce Eder says that Jan “was part of the ubiquitous legions of girl singers who poured into London, and whose recorded work streamed out of the British record industry across the early to mid-’60s.” (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jan-panter-mn0000177791/biography) This was the B-side of an April 1969 single. As Marlon Brando once said, “STELLAAAAAAAA!!!”
2) Billy Nicholls, âWould You Believeâ
Billy Nichollsâs Would You Believe was one of the two great lost albums of the 1960s (sorry, âSmileâ). Vernon Joynson says in The Tapestry of Delights Revisited: The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976 that the album was Andrew Loog “Oldham’s attempt to concoct a British answer to the Beach Boyâs Pet Sounds.” The Immediate label cancelled the album’s release because of financial problems and âboxes of never-issued copies are said to have ended up as ballast for ships.â So sad. Billy later became the Who’s music director.
3) Nick Garrie, âWheel of Fortuneâ
Nick Garrieâs The Nightmare of J.B. Stanislas was the other great lost album of the 60’s. If Nickâs French record company’s owner hadnât committed suicide on the eve of Stanislasâs release, who knows what might have been. Stunning song — I was transfixed the first time I heard it and I have been a huge fan of Nick’s music ever since. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with him in Gstaad.
Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! / Off the Charts: 60s Rock Revelationsđ 