BJ COLE

(Note: This page is still unfinished)

Biography

Bands/Discography:

I know, I know... Many people can think 'oh, weird about including a pedal steel guitarist!'. But you only need to listen to him, to understand why he's included in my Olympus. If somebody thought pedal steel was an instrument for country music, you'll need to reconsider it. Not only he can play in any style (albums with rock bands, hard rock bands, techno bands, and he also plays classical music with his instrument). I've been thinking about making my pages on him or not, as I can't find too much info on his live bands (except for Cochise), but that lack of info can be supplied with his LONG list of album credits.

COCHISE  


(scans courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

This was a unusual outfit. Being British, they performed a fine country-rock, somewhat in a Creedence Clearwater Revival vein. They were formed in 1969.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They released his first album, Cochise, in 1970. Soon after, Stewart Brown leaves the band, and he's substituted with John Gilbert.

For their second album, Swallow tales, they were joined by some guests, like the superb Tim Renwick (guitar), the late Steve Marriott (piano, vocals), Caleb Quaye (piano), and Cal Batchelor.


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

They change slightly the lineup, John 'Willie' Wilson leaving the band.

Unfortunately, after their third album, So far, they split.

There's also a compilation album, called Past loves.

KIKI DEE (band)

Kiki Dee is a great female singer, whose name is usually associated with Elton John, as she was signed for Elton's record label (Rocket Records), hits (they sang a successful duo, 'Don't go breaking my heart'), etc. But Kiki has always had superb musicians (as Elton). Some of them will be featured in my Olympus (such as drummer Roger Pope). B.J. Cole toured with her around 1973-74, but I don't have info about lineups, albums, etc. B.J. appears in a couple of Kiki albums.

Loving and free contains collaborations from the Elton John Band: Davey Johnstone (guitar), Dee Murray (bass), Elton John (keyboards), Nigel Olsson (drums), plus Paul Keogh (guitar), Jim Ryan (guitar), B.J. Cole (pedal steel guitar), Ronnie Leahy (keyboards), Roger Ball (sax), Gerry Conway (drums), Dave Mattacks (drums), and a great team of backing vocalists: the superb Chanter Sisters (Doreen Chanter & Irene Chanter), Lesley Duncan, Kay Garner and Lisa Strike.

I've got the music in me contains appearances by: Jo Partridge (guitar), B.J. Cole (pedal steel guitar), Phil Curtis (bass), Bias Boshell (keyboards), Mike Deacon (keyboards), Roger Pope (drums), Barry Morgan (drums), Pete Clarke (drums), and on backing vocals: Irene Chanter, Josie Armstead, Kay Garner, Cissy Houston (yep! Whitney Houston's mummy, a superb singer!), Billy Lawrie, Gary Osborne, Barry St. John and Paul Vigrass.


ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW (band)

Great artist! Someday, Andy will have his own page in my Olympus. So, I'll give just a few details here. Around 1975, B.J. joined Andy's live band, playing in two of his albums.

La Booga Rooga contains collaborations from: Bernie Leadon (guitar, later in Eagles), B.J. Cole (pedal steel guitar), John David (bass), John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (keyboards), Georgie Fame (keyboards), Jimmy Jewell (sax), Kenny Jones (drums), Dave Mattacks (drums), Bruce Rowland (drums), and a horn section from Gonzalez: Bud Beadle & Steve Gregory. Plus some special guests on vocals: Gerry Rafferty & Joe Egan (that is, Stealers Wheel), Doreen Chanter, Benny Gallagher & Graham Lyle (i.e. Gallagher & Lyle duo), Barry St. John, Liza Strike.

Be bop & holla contains appearances by: Bernie Leadon (guitar, later in Eagles), Bryn Haworth (guitar), B.J. Cole (pedal steel guitar), John David (bass), John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (keyboards), Mick Weaver (keyboards), Kenny Jones (drums), Henry Spinetti (drums), Martin Drover (trumpet), and from Gonzalez: Bud Beadle, Steve Gregory & Malcolm Griffith.

B.J. should leave Andy's band around 1977 or 1978, I'm not sure.


LEO SAYER (band)

I read that B.J. joined Leo Sayer live band around 1978, but I don't know how many time he spent with Leo. Help, please!

And then?

I'd like to know! His name was associated with several modern country bands, but I never knew if he was a member or just a player in albums. Has someone more info about it?

Some months ago, I read that he was joining American band The Verve, but I don't know if it was just a rumour or if it was true.


Sessions

Press here to read about B.J. Cole sessions

Related links:
From the always interesting Alex's Picks (by Alex Gitlin), we have:
From the superb site Knights in Blue Denim: The British Blues Scene '68 - '70 (by Christer Fridhammar & Vanja), we have:
Musicians mentioned in this page that I have projected to cover in my site someday: And short tributes to:

Family tree

Coming soon (I hope so!).

Thanks section

Thanks to: Alex Gitlin, for help and music.


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Page created by Miguel Terol on: 01/April/1999. First published on: xx/xx/xx. Last modified on: 08/September/1999. 1