Nick Brown (Mr Mix)chose it. I think David Daltrey (Dalt)may have had an influence. Nick was very into cathederals at the time.

I think we're all dead

Made a hole in it you can see through. Funny, there's nothing there!

Are you joking? You got a quill pen handy?

In the early 70's, before the glam and glitter came, some beautiful post-hippy melodic rock bloomed briefly. Carillon, affectionately known as 'Rillon, was a sparkling guitar based band whose sound was influenced by sixties folk rock and country rock, but a harder edge began to appear when they started playing new songs written by Mike McKever. His songs were intriguing and often complex, with political undertones that reflected the slow transformation of flower-power into the emerging green movement and the loss of innocence that followed.

The band's popularity began to grow as they toured on the college circuit - sharing the stage with some other new acts such as Genesis as well as established artists like David Bowie and Manfred Mann, to name but a few. Carillon lead guitarist David Daltrey had already made a name for himself, both on record and on stage, as the original "Joseph"(of technicolor dreamcoat fame, and as frontman with 'Tales Of Justine'- a point the management were not slow to pick up on. The other members, Chris Woodisse (bass), Nick Brown (Drums) and Mike McKever (guitar), had previously had only a local following but had musical aspirations which had little in common with the Lloyd-Webber formula. Soon these tensions, and the strains of being on the road, began to emerge and the band eventually split - after a brief revival with new bassist Mick Groom and lead guitarist Mick Weaver.

Nick went on to join "Starry Eyed & Laughing". Mike returned to college to get his degree and to concentrate on song writing. Later he joined the country rock band "Five card Stud". Chris went on to join a popular Irish Showband and earn some money, but the technicolor dreamcoat was destined to become part of musical history on the backs of other performers.

Carillon was mainly a live act and very little recorded material remains. (Even the promo flyer above is the last known copy - unless you know different!) However, over the 30 or so years since 'Rillon last performed many other musicians have taken up the songs Mike wrote for the band. Each has added their own interpretation but the songs live on and these recordings are a fitting tribute to the four kids who started it all in a back bedroom in a house in Potters Bar.

So listen now as 'Rillon Rides Again!

The Byrds, The Band, Yes, Steely Dan, Gram Parsons, The Beatles, Fairport Convention,Fleetwood Mac

Just behind my guitar