Originally known as the Climax Chicago Blues Band, this enduring UK band was formed by Colin Cooper (b. 7 October 1939, Stafford, England; vocals, saxophone), Peter Haycock (b. 4 April 1952, Stafford, England; vocals, guitar), Richard Jones (bass), Arthur Wood (keyboards), Derek Holt (b. 26 January 1949, Stafford, England; rhythm guitar) and George Newsome (b. 14 August 1947, Stafford, England; drums). They made their recording debut in 1969 with The Climax Chicago Blues Band which evoked the early work of John Mayall and Savoy Brown. Its somewhat anachronistic approach gave little indication of a potentially long career. Jones departed for university prior to the release of Plays On, with Holt switching to bass. The album displayed a new-found, and indeed sudden, sense of maturity. A restrictive adherence to 12-bar tempos was replaced by a freer, flowing pulse, while the use of wind instruments, in particular on ‘Flight’, implied an affiliation with jazz rock groups such as Colosseum and Blodwyn Pig.
In 1970 the band switched labels to Harvest Records. Conscious of stereotyping in the wake of the blues’ receding popularity, the band began emphasizing rock-based elements in their work. A Lot Of Bottle and Tightly Knit reflected a transitional period where the band began wooing the affections of an American audience responsive to the unfettered styles of Foghat or ZZ Top. By this time keyboard player Anton Farmer had joined the line-up, while Newsome was replaced by John Cuffley in 1973. They embarked on a fruitful relationship with producer Richard Gottehrer who honed the band’s live sound into an economic, but purposeful, studio counterpart. Rich Man, their final album for Harvest, and Sense Of Direction were the best examples of their collaboration. Richard Jones rejoined the band in 1975 having been a member of the Principal Edwards since leaving university.
The band enjoyed a surprise UK hit single when ‘Couldn’t Get It Right’ reached number 10 in 1976, but the success proved temporary. Although continuing to pursue a career in the following decades, the Climax Blues Band engendered a sense of predictability and consequently lost their eminent position as a fixture of America’s lucrative FM rock circuit. Jones left in 1977 and was replaced by Peter Filleul and then George Glover. Holt was replaced by John ‘Rhino’ Edwards in 1982, before Roger Inniss and then Neil Simpson took over the bass slot. Jeff Rich was recruited following Cuffley’s departure in 1983, but was in turn replaced by Roy Adams two years later. The long-serving Haycock was replaced the same year by Lester Hunt, leaving Cooper as the only remaining original member. The 1994 live album, Blues From The Attic, sounded remarkably fresh for a band that had been gigging for so long.
