NEW VAUDEVILLE BAND, THE
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL

What began as a quick knock out single by pop single master Geoff Stephens, the track Winchester Cathedral almost accidentally became a no.1 hit all over the world. Voiced in a session by John Carter, Stephens then quickly needed a group to follow up with the promotion. A hasty call to drummer and group leader Henry Harrison, then with his own R&B band (Cops n Robbers), set the wheels in motion and The New Vaudeville Band came alive, to enjoy a lengthy career well into the late 1970's. During an eighteen month peak (1966/1967) the band were managed by Peter Grant and Mickie Most, released two LPs (recorded by a mixture of band members and session musicians) , scored 4 hit singles, and played residencies in Las Vegas to thousands. Musically rivaling contemporaries the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, The New Vaudeville Band dressed in 1920's outfits and adopted the 1920's swing time style to their perky 60's pop brand. It fitted right in with the Carnaby Street fashion fads and Bonnie & Clyde gangster theme of the time. Collected here are the complete recordings credited to The New Vaudeville Band , plus a couple of unreleased tracks and song writing demos (including John Carter's demo of Winchester Cathedral ). This is the first time on CD for all but the title track, and the LPs have not been available in over 30 years. A massively popular international act in the late 60's and 1970's .