Spooky Tooth

Spooky Tooth came together in November of 1967 when Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, introduced Mike Harrison, Mike Kellie, Greg Ridley and Luther Grosvenor to Gary Wright. The only American in the band, Wright had been working with an R&B group in Germany and Scandinavia called the New York Times while the other four members were in a band called Art, formerly the VIP’s. Spooky Tooth had their first rehearsal to see if there was chemistry and Wright played a song he had written a few months before called “Sunshine help me.” It immediately clicked-especially the 2 lead vocalist concept-and the band went into the studio to record their first single “Sunshine help me” with producer Jimmy Miller.



Having just finished producing Traffic’s first album as well as The Spencer Davis Group’s 2 international hits-“Gimme some lovin’” and “I’m a man,” Jimmy helped the band find their direction, and although “Sunshine help me” wasn’t a hit, it firmly established the band in the then “underground music scene” in both the UK and the rest of Europe. The band immediately built a cult following playing clubs and festivals in England and the continent and in 68 recorded their first album “It’s all about” with Jimmy producing and co-writing several songs. Although the album wasn’t a huge success, progressive rock radio stations played tracks like “Tobacco Road,” and Janis Ian’s “Society’s Child.” The band released “Spooky Two,” their second and most successful album in 69. Having reached 40 in the Billboard album charts in the US, the band finally reaped success for their efforts, being voted one of the top 5 rock bands in Germany in 69. They continued touring in the US and Europe building their cult following.



Greg Ridley left the band in 1970 and became one of the founding members of Humble Pie. He was replaced by bass player Andy Leigh who had played with Fairport Convention. Chris Blackwell approached the band with an idea of collaboration with a French electronic music composer named Pierre Henry. The band were not receptive to the idea but agreed to do the project not as a joint venture but as backing musicians and vocalists for Pierre Henry-it was to be a Pierre Henry project. Unfortunately, Island Records released the album titled “Ceremony” as a Spooky Tooth release with Pierre Henry, thinking they could ride on the success of their past release “Spooky Two.” The album stiffed and the band tragically split up.



Wright started producing other artists for Jimmy Miller’s production company and then went on to record 2 solo albums for A&M records-“Extraction” and “Footprint.” Harrison, Kellie and Grosvenor collaborated with members of Joe Cocker’s Grease Band and released the 4th Spooky Tooth album in 70 called “The last puff” containing the John Lennon song “I am the walrus.”



The band then had a hiatus during which time Harrison recorded a self titled solo album for Island in 71 and a second in 72 called “Smokestack Lightning.” Luther Grosvenor released his 1st solo album named “Under open skies” in 71 and then went on to replace Mott The Hoople’s guitarist Mick Ralphs using his new name Ariel Bender. Mike Kellie joined Peter Frampton’s new band, Frampton’s Camel. Wright continued working as a producer and session musician, working on George Harrison’s solo albums, as well as playing keyboards on BB King, Ringo Starr and Harry Niellson albums. During that period, Wright met Mick Jones and Mick became the guitarist for Gary’s band “Wright’s Wonderwheel.” Their first album “Ring of Changes” on A&M records was never was released and Spooky Tooth got back together with Mike Harrison, Gary Wright, Mick Jones, Bryson Graham and Chris Stewart.



The new incarnation of Spooky Tooth released “You broke my heart so I busted your jaw” in 73 and the album was the 2nd most successful in the bands career. Bryson Graham left the band and Mike Kellie rejoined and the band released their next album called “Witness” at the end of 73. The band continued to tour in Europe and the USA during this period and finally moved to the US in 74. Joining up with Jimmy Hendrix producer Eddie Kramer, the band recorded their final album “The mirror” with yet another line up-Mike Patto replacing Mike Harrison, Bryson Graham back on drums and Val Burke on Bass along with Jones and Wright. The album was never released until years later on a small label. Sadly, that was the end of their tumultuous career.



In 2004 Harrison, Kellie, and Wright decided to get together and do 2 reunion concerts in Germany out of which came a DVD and CD of their performances. The album is titled “Nomad Poets” and is probably one of the best Spooky Tooth recordings ever. It contains the best of their material spanning over their entire career and is scheduled for release in March 2007.



Spooky Tooth was the springboard for several spectacular careers: Greg Ridley/Humble Pie, Mike Kellie/The only ones, Luther Grosvenor/Mott the Hoople, Mick Jones/Foreigner, and Mike Harrison and Gary Wrights own solo careers. They remain a legendary band today whose music still inspires new and established artists.