Streetwalkers were an English rockband formed in late 1973 by two former members of rock band Family, vocalist Roger Chapman and guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney. They were a five piece band which evolved from the Chapman Whitney Band.
The band was managed by Michael Alphandary and Harvey Goldsmith[1] and were best known for their live performances and their album Red Card (1976).
The band's potential was commented on by former Sounds magazine staff writer and later successful publicist Barbara Charone who stated that “Roger Chapman, Charlie Whitney, and Bobby Tench have been one step away from the big time for so long now that it makes you wonder what the problem is, Everyone knows Family should have made it, that Chapman/Whitney should have made it,and that now Streetwalkers should make it. They certainly deserve to", after she saw them performing in support of The Who in 1976.[2]
By 1977 the possibility of becoming more important in UK rock history was diminished by changing musical taste, due to the growing influence of punk rock and new wave music on European culture. The band had successes in the United States and Europe, particularly Germany.[3]
The mixture of rockers and ballads was not Family; yet there was added depth to the music, stemming from the evolved songwriting and from the involvement of so many musicians. "Roxianna" and "Showbiz Joe" were part New Orleans jazz, continuing the Americana feel of Family's last album. "Systematic Stealth" a lovely textured ballad and the slunky "Creature Feature" demonstrate the range of Roger Chapman's unusual voice, from gravelly crooning to just plain gravel. The album's most stunning moments, "Parisienne High Heels" and "Hangman" are brooding and hair raising in their energy and dark themes.[4]
Concert billing, Rockpalast, Streetwalkers formation and Downtown Flyers
After recording the album Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers, Chapman and Whitney changed the name of their band to Streetwalkers and Tench joined them as an official band member, when they signed to Phonogram Inc. in 1975. Tench was joined by drummer Nicko McBrain (who would later join Iron Maiden) and bass player Jon Plotel. They had previously appeared on a European broadcast for the German TV show Rockpalast with Chapman and Whitney earlier the same year, billed as the Chapman Whitney Streetwalkers.[7] The band's first album, Downtown Flyers (1975) was released in both USA and Europe but did not achieve the anticipated success in USA, although interest in Europe was more encouraging.
Red Card, stadium concerts
Their second studio album, the groove heavy album Red Card (1976) reached #16 in UK album charts[3] and remains a much respected album.[8] The band performed at a series of concerts entitled Who Put the Boot In appearing at UK Football stadiums, during May and June 1976, supporting the Who. The billing for these concerts included the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Little Feat, Outlaws, Widowmaker (UK) and Streetwalkers were the second act to appear.[9] The band also toured the U.S as support to others such as Wings, 10cc and Joe Cocker.[10]
John Peel sessions, final Rockpalast appearance
On 12 June 1976 they made their first appearance for John Peel on his "Peel Sessions" recorded by BBC radio, with the line-up of Chapman, Whitney, Tench, Plotel and McBrain[11] and were featured by Peel once more as a "Peel session", on 14 March 1977.[12] On 19 April the same year, they made their final appearance on Rockpalast, with a line-up which included Chapman, Whitney, Tench, keyboardist Brian Johnston, bassist Mickey Feat and drummer David Dowle who later joined Whitesnake.[13]
Vicious But Fair and breakup of band
By the time their third and final studio album Vicious But Fair (1977) was released, Vertigo had shifted their commercial emphasis to the musical trends of punk rock and new wave music. The euphoria surrounding the band began to diminish and the potential of becoming more established in Europe evaporated. Streetwalkers Live (1977) was their final album and included a rough and ready compilation of poorly recorded tracks, probably released to comply with contractual obligations. In his review of this album for Allmusic, John Dougan mentions the poor quality of the recording and states that: "Chapman tears off a few soulful moments and it can rock".[14] By now the band had broken up and Tench moved on to work with Van Morrisson, along with Feat.
"Roxianna"/"Crack" Reprise K14357 (1974)[3] taken from Chapman-Whitney Streetwalkers album
"Raingame"/"Miller" Vertigo 6059 130 (1975)[3] taken from Downtown Flyers album
"Daddy Rolling Stone"/"Hole In Your Pocket" Vertigo 6059 144 (1976)[3] taken from Red Card album
"Chilli Con Carne"/"But You're Beautiful" Vertigo Europe from Vicious but Fair album
Notes
^Stark, David & Dexter, Jeff (29 June 1974). Hard Rock Calling: Forty years of hard rock in Hyde Park. songlink.com.
^Parker, Matt (23 February 2024). "Bobby Tench dies aged 79". guitarworld.com (via rocksbackpages.com). Retrieved 27 March 2024.
^ abcdefghijklmJoynson, Vernon. The Comprehensive guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Phychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976. Borderline Productions (2008). p. 819.
^Roberts, David. British Hit Singles & Albums. Guinness World Records Limited. p. 536.
References
Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976. Borderline (2006). Reprinted 2008. ISBN1-899855-15-7
Roberts, David. British Hit Singles & Albums (19th edition). London: Guinness World Records Limited(2006). ISBN1-904994-10-5.
