Morly Grey
Encyclopedia
Morly Grey is an American
progressive rock
band that formed in the late 1960s. The group recorded their first album, The Only Truth
, which was recorded and released in 1972. Some discographies and music catalogs continue to list the album’s release date as 1968 or 1969.The confusion over the release date may come from the album’s serial number of 69000 (originally released through the unpublished Starshine label) and the fact that the album had a very short release period. The first single from the album was "Who Can I Say You Are". Most pressings of this single incorrectly list the album’s original title—The First Supper. In the 1980s and 1990s, the original vinyl LP pressing of the album had become somewhat of a collector’s item due to its rarity and the fact that it came with a full-size color poster.
They also recorded a live album and live video in 1973 (unreleased) (Paul,Mark and Tim) and a second album in 1973 on their vanity label (RBB Records) called "The Roller Bros.Band" (Bob,Mark and Tim with guest musicians). Between 1995-97 Bob,Mark and Tim recorded new (unreleased) material in the studio. Morly Grey performed as the opening act for Bob Seger
, The Platters
, Brownsville Station
, Mitch Ryder
and the Detroit Wheels, Cactus
(formerly of Vanilla Fudge
), Wolfman Jack
and others. Also the band L.A.W. opened for them.
In 2009 Sundazed Records
signed the band to remaster and reissue The Only Truth (Morly Grey album)
with previously unreleased bonus tracks.http://www.speedlabel.com.com/
Morly Grey is an important historical musical example of the foundations of progressive rock
and demonstrates how early 1970s psychedelic-style rock influenced later, more established progressive rock bands like Yes
before the genre was known as "progressive".
Mark Roller - Composer, Bass, Lead vocals,
Paul Cassidy - Composer, Lead vocals, drums,
Bob LaNave - drums (Side II of "The Only Truth").
Middle Morly Grey : After Randy Byron left, the band became the threesome of side one of " The Only Truth " fame. They were ( Left to Right ) Paul Cassidy ( Drums ) , Tim Roller ( Guitar ) and Mark Roller ( Bass ).
Later Morly Grey : After Paul Cassidy Left, they became the threesome of side two of " The Only Truth " and " The Roller Bros. Band ". They were ( Left to Right ) Mark Roller ( Bass ), Bob LaNave ( Drums ), Tim Roller ( Guitar ).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band that formed in the late 1960s. The group recorded their first album, The Only Truth
The Only Truth (Morly Grey Album)
The Only Truth is American progressive rock band Morly Grey's debut album released in 1972 on Starshine Records. Over the past 35 years it has been bootlegged and reissued several times. Akarma Records in Italy bootlegged this album and CD in 2002. More recently in 2005 Morly Grey's own Speed Label...
, which was recorded and released in 1972. Some discographies and music catalogs continue to list the album’s release date as 1968 or 1969.The confusion over the release date may come from the album’s serial number of 69000 (originally released through the unpublished Starshine label) and the fact that the album had a very short release period. The first single from the album was "Who Can I Say You Are". Most pressings of this single incorrectly list the album’s original title—The First Supper. In the 1980s and 1990s, the original vinyl LP pressing of the album had become somewhat of a collector’s item due to its rarity and the fact that it came with a full-size color poster.
They also recorded a live album and live video in 1973 (unreleased) (Paul,Mark and Tim) and a second album in 1973 on their vanity label (RBB Records) called "The Roller Bros.Band" (Bob,Mark and Tim with guest musicians). Between 1995-97 Bob,Mark and Tim recorded new (unreleased) material in the studio. Morly Grey performed as the opening act for Bob Seger
Bob Seger
Robert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
, The Platters
The Platters
The Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
, Brownsville Station
Brownsville Station (band)
Brownsville Station was a rock band from Michigan that was popular in the 1970s. Original members included Cub Koda , Mike Lutz , T.J. Cronley , and Tony Driggins...
, Mitch Ryder
Mitch Ryder
William S. Levise, Jr , better known by his stage name Mitch Ryder, is an American musician who has recorded over two dozen albums in more than four decades.-Career:...
and the Detroit Wheels, Cactus
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
(formerly of Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge is an American rock band. The band's original lineup – vocalist/organist Mark Stein, bassist/vocalist Tim Bogert, lead guitarist/vocalist Vince Martell, and drummer/vocalist Carmine Appice – recorded five albums during the years 1966–69, before disbanding in 1970...
), Wolfman Jack
Wolfman Jack
Robert Weston Smith, known commonly as Wolfman Jack was a gravelly voiced US disc jockey who became famous in the 1960s and 1970s.-Early career:...
and others. Also the band L.A.W. opened for them.
In 2009 Sundazed Records
Sundazed Records
Sundazed Records is a record label based in Coxsackie, in the Catskills of New York. It specializes in obscure and rare recordings from the 1950s to the 1970s.Label founders Bob Irwin and his wife Mary started the label in 1989...
signed the band to remaster and reissue The Only Truth (Morly Grey album)
The Only Truth (Morly Grey Album)
The Only Truth is American progressive rock band Morly Grey's debut album released in 1972 on Starshine Records. Over the past 35 years it has been bootlegged and reissued several times. Akarma Records in Italy bootlegged this album and CD in 2002. More recently in 2005 Morly Grey's own Speed Label...
with previously unreleased bonus tracks.http://www.speedlabel.com.com/
Morly Grey is an important historical musical example of the foundations of progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
and demonstrates how early 1970s psychedelic-style rock influenced later, more established progressive rock bands like Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
before the genre was known as "progressive".
Musicians
Tim Roller - Composer, All guitars, backing vocals,Mark Roller - Composer, Bass, Lead vocals,
Paul Cassidy - Composer, Lead vocals, drums,
Bob LaNave - drums (Side II of "The Only Truth").
History
Early Morly Grey : Started in 1969 with ( Left to Right ) Paul Cassidy ( Drums ) , Randy Byron ( Guitar ) , Tim Roller ( Guitar ) and Mark Roller ( Bass ). The band that did " Yas " and " Sleepy Softness ".Middle Morly Grey : After Randy Byron left, the band became the threesome of side one of " The Only Truth " fame. They were ( Left to Right ) Paul Cassidy ( Drums ) , Tim Roller ( Guitar ) and Mark Roller ( Bass ).
Later Morly Grey : After Paul Cassidy Left, they became the threesome of side two of " The Only Truth " and " The Roller Bros. Band ". They were ( Left to Right ) Mark Roller ( Bass ), Bob LaNave ( Drums ), Tim Roller ( Guitar ).
Albums
- The Only Truth LP (Starshine RecordsStarshine RecordsStarshine Records was a record label started in the late 1960s by Floyd Phillips of Warren, Ohio. He managed and recorded some of the local bands in the N.E. Ohio area including Freeman Sound, Stars And Stripes, Travis, Biggy Rat and Southwind. By far his greatest discovery was Morly Grey and...
,1972) - The Only Truth CD (Speed LabelSpeed LabelSpeed Label is the original record company of Morly Grey. Started in 1969 by Paul Cassidy , Randy Byron and Mark and Tim Roller. Their first release was "Sleepy Softness" and "Yas" on 45rpm. In 1972 they released their first album but later changed to "The Only Truth" on the Starshine Records...
,2005) - The Roller Bros. Band LP (RBB Records) (Speed LabelSpeed LabelSpeed Label is the original record company of Morly Grey. Started in 1969 by Paul Cassidy , Randy Byron and Mark and Tim Roller. Their first release was "Sleepy Softness" and "Yas" on 45rpm. In 1972 they released their first album but later changed to "The Only Truth" on the Starshine Records...
,1973)
Singles
- "Yas" 45rpm (1969)
- "Sleepy Softness" (1969)
- "Who Can I Say You Are" 45rpm(1972)
- "After Me Again" 45rpm(1972)
- "Be Your King" 45rpm/CD Single(1972/2008)
- "I'll Space You" 45rpm/CD Single (1972/2008)
External links
- http://biphome.spray.se/r.blomberg/morlyHTML.htm
- http://www.progressiveworld.net/morlygrey.html
- http://www.speedlabel.com/
- http://www.last.fm/music/Morly+Grey
- http://www.morleygrey.com/
- http://www.speedlabel.com.com/