CHAS HODGES

Biography

Bands/Discography:

Chas Hodges is a veteran from British beat scene. Along with Carlo Little, Nicky Hopkins, Lord Sutch, Clem Cattini, Big Jim Sullivan, Jimmy Page, Albert Lee, Ritchie Blackmore and many others, they established the roots for what it still had to come. They were the pioneers. We're speaking about 1960, long before The Beatles took England by storm. They deserve a BIG page in every book or project who wants to deal with rock music. Some of them will be someday in this site too.

Chas was born in London, England, on November 11, 1943.

BILLY GREY & THE STORMERS 

This is the first band I've managed to know with Chas. They came from different bands, and joined together in May 1960.

Billy Grey (vocals)
Billy Kuy (guitar)
Reg Hawkins (guitar)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Bobby Graham (drums)
But a few months later, in October 1960, Billy Grey abandons music. The musicians got another band name, and stayed together.

OUTLAWS 

They were called Outlaws in December 1960. They used cowboy clothes, and their songs were about that subject.

Mike Berry (vocals)
Billy Kuy (guitar)
Reg Hawkins (guitar)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Bobby Graham (drums)
A superb band, they were approached by the late, mythical producer, Joe Meek. They released an album, Dream of the west, but they also played in several Meek productions, playing as backing band for several singers, such as Mike Berry or John Leyton.

They also released two singles:

Billy Kuy was the first to leave the band. Instead of getting a new guitarist, Chas switched to lead guitar role, and they got a new bassist:
Mike Berry (vocals)
Chas Hodges (guitar)
Reg Hawkins (guitar)
Heinz Burt (bass)
Bobby Graham (drums)
But a week later, Heinz left them, so Chas came back to the bass. In September 1961, the lineup is as follows:
Mike Berry (vocals)
Roger Mingay (guitar)
Ken Lundgren (guitar)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Don Groom (drums)
Some months later, Mingay (who came from Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages, where he played with Carlo Little), left the band, as he was to go out of England. He was replaced by Lorne Greene.
Mike Berry (vocals)
Lorne Greene (guitar)
Ken Lundgren (guitar)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Don Groom (drums)
They released three more singles: In October 1962, there's a new change in lineup:
Ritchie Blackmore (guitar)
Ken Lundgren (guitar)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Mick Underwood (drums)
A superb lineup. Mick Underwood will also have his own page in my Olympus, and Ritchie will have a short tribute page too. They played in lots of sessions under Joe Meek's guidance.

They released four more singles:

They also acted as backing band for several people, such as Jerry Lee Lewis (when he toured England), the great Gene Vincent and Heinz (who was produced by Joe Meek - the band plays in many of his recordings).

In April 1964, Ritchie Blackmore left the band, to join Heinz band (Heinz & The Wild Boys), and the other ones recruited a new guitarist:

Harvey Hinsley (guitar)
Ken Lundgren (guitar)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Mick Underwood (drums)
They stayed under this name just one more year, until June 1965. Although Ritchie Blackmore returned to the band around February 1965, in order to record a new single. The single is 'Don't cry / Only for you' (1965, Smash). The A-side features Harvey Hinsley, while the B-side features Ritchie Blackmore.

Also, a different lineup recorded another single, initially as Outlaws, but it was finally released under the name of Ritchie Blackmore Orchestra. The lineup included: Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Chas Hodges (bass), Nicky Hopkins (keyboards), Reg Price (sax), Mick Underwood (drums). The songs were: 'Getaway / Little brown jug' (Mar 65, Oriole).

CLIFF BENNETT & THE REBEL ROUSERS 

Next month, July 1965, Chas joined the successful Cliff Bennett, in his band The Rebel Rousers.

Cliff Bennett (vocals)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Roy Young (keyboards)
Moss Groves (sax)
Sid Phillips (sax)
Mick Burt (drums)
They were managed by Brian Epstein, who gave them access to some Paul McCartney tune (Paul also acting as producer). The band also opened for The Beatles in their tours around Germany and Japan in June 1966.

They augmented their lineup around 1967.

Cliff Bennett (vocals)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Roy Young (keyboards)
Moss Groves (sax)
Sid Phillips (sax)
John Golden (trumpet)
Mick Burt (drums)
They released 10 singles, being McCartney's song, 'Got to get you into my life', their biggest hit in July 1966. They also released three albums (watch above).

But in July 1968, almost the complete lineup abandons Cliff Bennett, to be commanded now by keyboardist Roy Young. Sometime later, Cliff Bennett formed Toe Fat with Ken Hensley.

THE REBEL ROUSERS 

They released a single under this name, before soon changing into Roy Young Band.

Roy Young (keyboards, vocals)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Moss Groves (sax)
John Golden (trumpet)
Mick Burt (drums)
The single was:
ROY YOUNG BAND 

As I've said, they were the Rebel Rousers, except Cliff Bennett and Sid Phillips.

Roy Young (keyboards, vocals)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Moss Groves (sax)
Sid Phillips (sax)
John Golden (trumpet)
Mick Burt (drums)
Six months later, John Golden left the band.
Roy Young (keyboards, vocals)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Moss Groves (sax)
Sid Phillips (sax)
Mick Burt (drums)
They toured extensively all over the world. But for some reason, it didn't work. So, three of them left in December 1969 to form their own band, Black Claw.

BLACK CLAW 

Chas rejoins here with Harvey Hinsley, who was last guitarist in Outlaws (and who was to play later in Hot Chocolate). This was January 1970.

Harvey Hinsley (guitar)
Chas Hodges (guitar, vocals)
Dave Peacock (bass, vocals)
Mick Burt (drums)
It was a short-lived band (until July 1970), but it was the seed for a later band, Chas and Dave. Keep on reading!

HEAD, HANDS & FEET 

This band evolved from another called Poet & The One Man Band. When they dissolved, they got two new members, Albert Lee and Chas Hodges, and they started again under this new name in July 1970.

Tony Colton (vocals)
Ray Smith (guitar)
Albert Lee (guitar)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Mike O'Neill (keyboards)
Pete Gavin (drums)
They released their first, self-titled album, in 1971 (it was released as a 2LP in the States). After that, their keyboardist left them.
Tony Colton (vocals)
Ray Smith (guitar)
Albert Lee (guitar)
Chas Hodges (bass)
Mike O'Neill (keyboards)
Pete Gavin (drums)
They released a 2nd album, Tracks, (with help from Jerry Donahue, guitarist from Poet & The One Man Band, Gerry Hogan on steel guitar and backing vocals by Barry St. John and Ray Osborne), before splitting in December 1972, even before their 3rd album was released. It was called Old soldiers never die (oh, what a title!). With special guests: Jerry Donahue (guitar), Linda Lewis (vocals), Jackie Lynton (vocals), Dave Swarbrick (violin), Linda Thompson (vocals).

CHAS AND DAVE 

Almost the complete Black Claw lineup again. This happened in 1973.

Chas Hodges (keyboards, vocals)
Dave Peacock (bass, vocals)
Mick Burt (drums)
A fantastic band!

The album Don't give a monkeys includes guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Dave Edmunds and old bandmate Albert Lee.

Albert Lee also appears in the album Live at Abbey Road.

And then? 

Sorry, I haven't had more news about Chas since Chas & Dave. Can someone help me here, please? Are they still active? Last album I've read about is from 1986.

SOLO RECORDINGS 

As far as I know, Chas has never released an album of his own. But he released a solo single in 1969


Sessions

Press here to read about Chas Hodges 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:

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    Page created by Miguel Terol on: 09/January/1999. Last modified on: 14/January/1999. 1