Vanilla Fudge - You Just Keep Me Hanging On

[Rob Hall]

I think what we're looking for here is humourless, pretentious, portentous bollocks

This narrows it down. The Moody Blues fit the bill pretty well.

(By the way, the first Atomic Rooster album is truly awful but the second and third definitely had redeeming features. Besides, "Tomorrow Night" and "Devil's Answer". I rest my case.)

"I'm afraid if you leave that case there sir, it's liable to get knocked over."

[Hugh Weldon]

Just putting in a word for Grand Funk Railroad. Any redeeming features whatsoever?

[Rob Hall]

Just thought of another contender: Ten Years After.

Hugh: I think GFR were more a product if the 70s, rather than the 60s. But no, I can't think of any redeeming features (an opinion based, admittedly, on very little knowledge).

[AndyM]

I am disappointed that nobody has mentioned Raving Jim Grunt and the Pubes.

[Rob Hall]

Andy, I don't think that you're giving this thread quite the serious attention that it deserves.

[Jamie Renton]

Just putting in a word for Grand Funk Railroad. Any redeeming features whatsoever?

They're Homer Simpson's favourite band

[Adam Blake]

I am disappointed that nobody has mentioned Raving Jim Grunt and the Pubes.

You mean Spiggy Topes and the Turds, surely?

[john poole]

Just thought of another contender: Ten Years After.

The worst.

[garth cartwright]

Grand Funk came up with one all time classic - We're An American Band (Dave Marsh even put it in his 1001 Best Singles). They did a better version of Locomotion than Kylie and a not too bad version of Some King Of Wonderful (a song I thought they wrote until i bought the cassette soundtrack to Sweet Soul Music and found it on there by the Soul Brothers Six - I think that's their name). All 70s hits too.

On the strength of these 3 I bought a Grand Funk Best Of and while much of it is Homer Simpson music - bad guitar solos, stodgy boogie etc - it has its moments.

I'm at a blank as to the worst 60s band. I should be full of bile for some horribly successful outfit but I just can't think who. Ten Years After were awful in Woodstock - I've never gone near anything else they were involved with. So maybe it is them.

[Adam Blake]

So a consensus is shaping:

Vanilla Fudge
The Moody Blues
Ten Years After

I must admit to a fondness for a couple of Ten Years After tracks, but that's nostalgia rather than discernment. You've gotta admit, this is a mean riff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYaEbOYL0vg
But definitely humourless, pretentious and extremely portentous in this case.

[Rob Hall]

Well, I've got a certain fondness for VF's recorded version of "You Just Keep Me Hanging On", if only as a museum piece (you certainly can't dance to it). As John has pointed out above, it makes a big difference if you don't have to look at them while you're listening.

Adam - what's your view on Jeff Beck? As you probably know, the bass player and drummer from Vanilla Fudge went on to play with him in Beck, Bogert & Appice. I only ask because I don't think I've ever seen/heard you express an opinion on the man. (Personally, I can't make my mind up about him: obviously a supremely accomplished technician, and there's been the odd track, such as "Nadia", that I've liked, but... somehow always he seems to be showboating. Maybe it's an ego thing?)

[NormanD]

Well, I've got a certain fondness for VF's recorded version of "You Just Keep Me Hanging On", if only as a museum piece (you certainly can't dance to it).

But Rob - I did dance to it. It brought back some memories that I'd prefer not to recall further, but dancing was involved. They should not have gone beyond one album, or maybe even one song, but they certainly offered more fun than The Dave Clark 5, or Herman's Effing Hermits (as I will forever call them).

[Adam Blake]

Adam - what's your view on Jeff Beck?

Absolutely brilliant guitarist who has gone further on a knack than just about anybody else I can think of. He resolutely refuses to practice or take his playing seriously and has for some years only used music as a way of financing his passion for hot rod racing. In many ways this is deeply admirable and, in just as many others, shameful and reprehensible. Beck is an enigmatic figure: talent to burn, too lazy to develop it. An appalling role model, but I can't help liking him. I suspect Nigel Tufnell was to a large extent based on Jeff Beck.

I cherish the story of Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood walking out on him in the middle of an American tour in 1969 because his behaviour was so bad. What was he up to if those two were shocked! I daresay it's all apocryphal and they probably just fell out over money (yawn) but we rock'n'roll romantics have to fill in the details ourselves (again!)

Norman: Vanilla Fudge more fun than the DC5 or Herman's effing Hermits?!! Are you on mandrax??!!! Have you listened to "Bits And Pieces" (amongst the most Neanderthal records) or the sublime "No Milk Today" in the last three decades?!!!

[Jamie Renton]

I suspect Nigel Tufnell was to a large extent based on Jeff Beck.

I seem to remember reading an interview with the makers of Spinal Tap where they said as much.

A rule from my youth: if you're at a party and "Hi Ho Silver Lining" comes on, it's time to leave.

[Adam Blake]

A rule from my youth: if you're at a party and "Hi Ho Silver Lining" comes on, it's time to leave.

But.... GREAT guitar solo!!