Biography
Bands/Discography:
This band was the seed for Family group. It was formed by guitarist Charlie Whitney in 1962. Ric joined them in 1965.
This was the first Family lineup, in 1967.
Their first album, Music in a doll's house, was produced by Traffic guitarist, Dave Mason.
After their second album, Family entertainment, Ric surprised everybody when he left the band in February 1969, to join the first supergroup ever, Blind Faith.
Many people agree that the term 'supergroup' was made to fit this band. With these talents together, the less-known boy was Ric.
They released only one album, Blind Faith. I like it, although I must reckon it has some not-very fortunate tracks. But there are some others that converted into real classics, like "Presence of the Lord" or "Can't find my way home". A Buddy Holly rendition, "Well all right" (years later covered by Santana). We can find a beautiful violin solo by Ric in the song "Sea of joy".
They made their live debut as the main attraction in a huge concert in Hyde Park in June 1969, who also was attended by 'new' bands like King Crimson.
The story of this band was really short, as it seems that Eric Clapton original idea was quickly abandoned for a humble stay as sideman in Delaney & Bonnie's band (the opening band for Blind Faith), far from stardom. They split in January 1970. All but Clapton stayed together under Ginger Baker's name.
Soon after Blind Faith's separation, Clapton and some friends recorded some sessions at Olympic Studios in London, but none from it ever was released. Some of the musicians were:
This free-form outfit was assembled by Ginger Baker. The list of musicians wasn't stable, in the jazz tradition. They started their short career in January 1970.
They soon released their first album, Airforce, with this personnel:
In February 1970, Winwood and Wood leave the band to reform Traffic again. And finally, after a second album, Airforce 2, Ginger Baker dissolved the band. Sorry, as I don't have it, I'm not sure if Ric plays in it. Help?
Some other members were: Colin Gibson (bass) and
Reebop Kwaku Baah (percussion).
In the summer of 1970, John Mayall was to play at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music. But, not having a stable band at the time, he asked some of his old friends to play with him. See the surprising one-off lineup! Peter Green, not long ago leaving Fleetwood Mac, bassist Ric Grech, and drummer Aynsley Dunbar! WOW!
Then, Ric rejoined his colleagues Steve Winwood and Chris Wood in Traffic, in August 1970.
They released a live album, Welcome to the canteen. I must say that it's not really credited to Traffic, but to the names of the 7 musicians, but no doubt it's a Traffic album. I love this album, although it lacks a very bad sound. It contains fantastic performances, and some songs from Winwood's former band, Spencer Davis Group. I hope someday it will be remastered or enhanced, it deserves the task!
Soon after this album, Dave Mason leaves the band again.
The new lineup released another album, The low spark of high heeled boys. I like the song "Rainmaker" a lot. But in December 1971, Ric and Jim Gordon leave the band.
Due to his problems with drug addiction, Eric Clapton had disappeared from musical scene since 1971. Now it was 1973, and his friend Pete Townshend convinced him to come back to music. To encourage him, Pete Townshend brought some old Eric friends to help him feel comfortable. The band was funnily called The Palpitations, because of the nervous state all they shared for if Eric finally didn't appear to play.
They played together for a week, preparing the two concerts, to be made on January 13, 1973. A live album was released from those concerts, but it lacked a poor sound and even a poorer selection of tracks (only 6 tracks). It was a sad thing after all the interest they all took on succeed. But ... this has been remedied after 15 years. Now there is a extended edition from those concerts, the sound has been remastered (and incredibly enhanced!), and now we don't have 6 but 14 tracks!!! A superb album. I loved the original in spite of all, but this one is really fantastic!! :)
(the
original album) 
(the
remastered album)
This was the band for rock'n'roll pioneer Buddy Holly. He died in 1959, but his band is still alive and rockin' today. Around 1973, Ric joined them.
I think that after leaving The Crickets, Ric tried to form his own band, but I don't know details about it. Can anybody help me, please? I also know he tried to make a band with Spanish guitarist Ray Gomez, but I don't know if both bands are really the same.
This band was formed in 1975, with great expectations.
A really superb lineup. But, as many times happen, they didn't have the success they deserved, and after their first album, KGB, Ric and Mike Bloomfield left the band.
Ric formed this group with the core of exisiting band The Lentones.
They recorded one single, 'Ashes Of Love', with the Who's sound engineer Bob Pridden, but this was never released. After that, they split.
Danny Peyronel was living in Spain at that time, and the band where he was, Banzai, was over, so he contacted Denny Laine (who had been previously living in Spain) to form a band. Denny brought his former colleagues Ric Grech and Ginger Baker with him.
And I don't know more things about him till his sad death in 1990. Can anybody help me, please?
He has one album under his name, Last five years, but it's not really a new album, but a compilation of songs where he played and mostly wrote.
Sessions
Press here to read about Ric Grech sessions
Related links
Family tree
Coming soon (I hope so!).
Thanks section
Dedicated with my love to Ric.
Very special thanks to: Mick White, for sharing his memories about Square Dancing Machine and Ric with me.
Thanks to: Alex Gitlin for the great scans of Family and Bee Gees; Henk Hagen, for info about Airforce.
If you can contribute (with additions, corrections, opinions, etc.), please, send me an e-mail message at mterol@myrealbox.com
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Page created by Miguel Terol on: 16/January/1998. Last modified on: 22/July/1999.