The Poets

The Poets were a Scottish blues,[1] freakbeat and psychedelic pop band, who were managed and produced by Andrew Loog Oldham.[2] Some of their singles were released on his Immediate Records label. Their cover version of "Baby Don't You Do It", was produced by Immediate in-house record producer, Paul Raven (Gary Glitter).

The Poets
OriginGlasgow, Scotland
GenresBlues,[1] freakbeat, psychedelic pop
Years activeLate 1962–late 1960s, 2011–2012
LabelsDecca, Immediate
Associated actsAndrew Loog Oldham
Past membersMembers

Musically, the band's style contained elements of both the hard R&B of the early Small Faces (both bands would cover "Baby Don't You Do It") and The Action along with the more melodic sounds of The Kinks, The Searchers and the later period Small Faces. Visually, they sported an Edwardian look similar to the early Kinks with matching velvet jackets, ruffled shirts, tight pants, Beatle Boots and shag haircuts. Within the West of Scotland however, their look was interpreted as based on the Poet Rabbie Burns appearance in paintings of the time.

Their 1964 single "Now We're Thru'" was a No. 31 hit in the UK Singles Chart.[3] However, later singles were not chart successes outside Scotland, and no full album was completed.

Some of their singles are on various compilation albums, including the Nuggets II box set on Rhino Records (one song) and The Immediate Records Story (four songs) on Charly Records. One of their tracks "That's The Way It's Got To Be" was on the soundtrack for the films Factory Girl and Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster.

Their former member, Hume Paton, born Hume Michael Paton, 6 October 1945, Bellshill, Glasgow, died on 30 April 2011, from a heart attack in Saint Georges, Grenada, West Indies at the age of 65. Another former member, Alan Weir, born 12 September 1943, Gartcosh, Lanarkshire died on 9 June 2010 from cancer in Cambridge, at the age of 67. Another former member John Dawson, born 6 May 1944, Glasgow, Strathclyde died on 6 January 2002, Glasgow, Strthclyde, Scotland of cancer, at the age of 57.

In 2011, The Poets reformed with original members George Gallacher and Fraser Watson, and on 2 December that year, played at the Eyes Wide Open club's 7th anniversary celebration. This was meant to be a one off, but just before the gig, The Poets' name appeared in the line-up to Le Beat Bespoke 8, listing them as playing on 8 April 2012.

Lead singer George Gallacher born 21 October 1943, Royston, Glasgow, died of a heart attack on 25 August 2012, at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, at age 68 while travelling home after watching his beloved Partick Thistle win 3–0 against Dumbarton.[4] The remaining founder member, Tony Myles, now lives in Spain where he hosts various radio programs and continues to write music at his home studio in the Costa Blanca.

Singles discography
  • "Now We're Thru" (Gallacher/Paton/Myles)/ "There Are Some" (Gallacher/Paton/Myles) (Decca F11995, October 1964, UK Singles Chart: No. 31[3])
  • "That's The Way It's Got To Be" (Gallacher/Paton/Myles)/ "I'll Cry With The Moon" (Gallacher/Paton/Myles) (Decca F12074, February 1965)
  • "I Am So Blue" (Paton/Gallacher/Myles) / "I Love Her Still" (Gallacher/Paton/Myles) (Decca F12195, July 1965)
  • "Call Again" (Paton/Gallacher) / "Some Things I Can't Forget" (Paton/Gallacher) (Immediate IM006, October 1965)
  • "Baby Don't You Do It" (Holland/Dozier) / "I'll Come Home" (Gallacher/Paton)(Immediate IM024, January 1966)
  • "Wooden Spoon" (Moeller, Woolfson)/ "In Your Tower" (Mulvey, Watson) (Decca F12569, February 1967)
  • "Heyla Hola" (Meehan and Henderon) / "Fun Buggy" (Henderson) ('Strike Cola' promotion single, circa 1970/71)

Members
  • George Gallacher - lead vocals (born 21 September 1943, died 25 August 2012)
  • John Dawson - bass guitar (born 6 May 1944, died 6 January 2002)
  • Alan Weir - drums (born 12 September 1943, died 9 June 2010)
  • Stafford Hamilton - rhythm guitar (born 1945, died 2011)
  • Hume Paton - 12-string lead guitar (born Hume Michael Paton, 6 October 1945, died 30 April 2011)
  • Tony Myles - rhythm guitar (born 11 January 1943, Douglas, Isle of Man)
  • Jim Breakey - drums (born 4 January 1947, Glasgow, Scotland)
  • Fraser Watson - rhythm guitar, later lead guitar
  • Andi Mulvey - lead vocals
  • Norrie McLean - bass
  • Ian McMillan - rhythm guitar
  • Stuart McKenzie - drums
  • Ray Duffy - drums (two weeks)
  • Hughie Nicholson - drums
  • Johnny Martin - bass
  • Dougie Henderson - drums
  • Hugh Burns - guitar
  • Charlie Smith - drums
  • Joe Breen - bass
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References
  1. Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
  2. Brown, Allan (30 August 2012). "George Gallacher: Musician, teacher and activist". Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 429. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. Perrone, Pierre (30 September 2012). "George Gallacher: Frontman with Sixties band The Poets". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
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