Freedom (band)
Encyclopedia
Freedom was a psychedelic rock
band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s, formed initially by members of Procol Harum
.
Ray Royer and Bobby Harrison, who had performed on the hit Procol Harum single "A Whiter Shade of Pale
", were kicked out of the Harum by vocalist Gary Brooker, and replaced by Robin Trower
and Barry Wilson. Royer and Harrison then formed Freedom with Steve Shirley and Tony Marsh, who was immediately replaced by pianist/organist Mike Lease, releasing a two German singles and the soundtrack for the Tinto Brass
/Dino de Laurentiis
film Attraction (Original title Nerosubianco, also known as Back on White).
In 1968, Harrison entirely overhauled the group's membership, and the new lineup began recording with more of a hard rock
sound, scoring tour dates with Black Sabbath
, Jethro Tull
, and The James Gang. They achieved great renown for their excellent version of the Beatles song "Cry Baby Cry
" on their second album "Freedom at Last". Further lineup changes occurred before the band finally splintered in 1972, with Harrison going on to Snafu
.
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s, formed initially by members of Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
.
Ray Royer and Bobby Harrison, who had performed on the hit Procol Harum single "A Whiter Shade of Pale
A Whiter Shade of Pale
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the debut song by the British band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. The single reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967, and stayed there for six weeks. Without much promotion, it reached #5 on the US charts, as well...
", were kicked out of the Harum by vocalist Gary Brooker, and replaced by Robin Trower
Robin Trower
Robin Leonard Trower , known professionally as Robin Trower, is an English rock guitarist who achieved success with Procol Harum during the 1960s, and then again as the bandleader of his own power trio.-Biography:...
and Barry Wilson. Royer and Harrison then formed Freedom with Steve Shirley and Tony Marsh, who was immediately replaced by pianist/organist Mike Lease, releasing a two German singles and the soundtrack for the Tinto Brass
Tinto Brass
Giovanni Brass , better known as Tinto Brass, is an Italian filmmaker. He is noted especially for his work in the erotic genre, with films such as Così fan tutte , Paprika, Monella and Trasgredire...
/Dino de Laurentiis
Dino De Laurentiis
Agostino "Dino" De Laurentiis was an Italian film producer.-Early life:He was born at Torre Annunziata in the province of Naples, and grew up selling spaghetti produced by his father...
film Attraction (Original title Nerosubianco, also known as Back on White).
In 1968, Harrison entirely overhauled the group's membership, and the new lineup began recording with more of a hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
sound, scoring tour dates with Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, and The James Gang. They achieved great renown for their excellent version of the Beatles song "Cry Baby Cry
Cry Baby Cry
"Cry Baby Cry" is a song by The Beatles, written by John Lennon, from their 1968 album The Beatles.-Composition:Demos of the song indicate that Lennon wrote the song in late 1967...
" on their second album "Freedom at Last". Further lineup changes occurred before the band finally splintered in 1972, with Harrison going on to Snafu
Snafu (band)
Snafu was a British rhythm and blues/rock band of the 1970s featuring vocalist Bobby Harrison and the talented slide guitarist Micky Moody.-History:...
.
Members
- Ray Royer - guitar
- Bobby HarrisonBobby HarrisonBobby Harrison is a drummer. He was an early member of Procol Harum, but shortly after their 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was released, he and guitarist Ray Royer left the group to form the band Freedom...
- drums - Steve Shirley - bass
- Tony Marsh - keyboards
- Mike Lease - keyboards
- Robin Lumsden - keyboards
- Roger Saunders - guitar
- Walt Monaghan - bass
- Peter Dennis - bass
- Steve Jolly - guitar
Discography
- Nerosubianco (1969)
- Freedom at Last (BYG ActuelBYG ActuelBYG Actuel was a French record label specializing in free jazz. The label also released a small number of non-jazz recordings by artists such as Musica Elettronica Viva, Freedom and Gong.-History:...
/ABC RecordsABC RecordsABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H....
, 1970) - Freedom (reissued by Angel Air RecordsAngel Air RecordsAngel Air Records is an English independent record label established in February 1997, specialising in reissues of classic pop and rock albums originally issued in the 1960s and 70s and latterly new albums from known artists up to the 21st century, formed by Peter and Shirley Purnell...
, originally released 1970) - Through the Years (Vertigo RecordsVertigo RecordsVertigo Records today is a UK-based record label operated by Universal Music UK.-History:Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the late 1960s for its record sub-label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI with Harvest Records and Decca Records with Deram...
, 1971) - Is More Than A Word (Vertigo RecordsVertigo RecordsVertigo Records today is a UK-based record label operated by Universal Music UK.-History:Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the late 1960s for its record sub-label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI with Harvest Records and Decca Records with Deram...
, 1972) - Black on White/Nerosubianco {Angel Air recordsAngel Air RecordsAngel Air Records is an English independent record label established in February 1997, specialising in reissues of classic pop and rock albums originally issued in the 1960s and 70s and latterly new albums from known artists up to the 21st century, formed by Peter and Shirley Purnell...
, 2009}