Dec 15

Mellotron

MELLOTRON
 
 
The Mellotron  is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England, in 1963.  The instrument works by pulling a section of magnetic tape across a head.  The Mellotron became more popular after the Beatles used it on several tracks.  It was subsequently adopted by the Moody Blues, King Crimson and Genesis, and became a notable instrument in progressive rock.  (More from Wikipedia)
 
 
Homer released an album called Grown in U.S.A. in 1970.  Bandmembers by that time were Phil Bepko (vocals), Frank Coy (vocals), Galen Niles (lead guitar), Howard Gloor (lead, steel guitar), Gene Coleman (drums), and Chet Himes (bass).  The music ranged from psychedelia to progressive rock, with instruments that included a Mellotron.  Christopher Cross – who had several hits in the early 1980’s including “Sailing” and got the Grammy in 1980 for Best New Artist – also had some involvement with the album.  (Christopher Cross was born on May 3, 1951, same as me!).
 
(September 2011)
 
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Allmusic is not particularly impressed with Homer; their short article on the band includes this comment:  “The LP was an uncertain mix of multi-sectioned songs (sometimes with Mellotron) that had similarities to hard rock-based early British progressive rock, with touches of folk-rock and country-rock.  Though played and arranged with confidence, it didn’t have material of high-enough quality to make it one of the better rarities of its type.”  The original LP received a respectable 3 stars (out of 5), while the overview CD of their complete recordings that I have, Homer is not reviewed. 

 

(April 2014)

 

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Future keyboard superstar Rick Wakeman was in the Strawbs in 1970 and 1971; he had been an active session musician, whose work includes playing Mellotron on David Bowie’s first hit single, “Space Oddity” in June 1969. 

 

(July 2014)

 

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The liner notes for the Wonderwall Music album were a mess, and George Harrison was not originally credited with performing any of the music, leading many to think that he merely oversaw the album; actually, in addition to arranging the music, Harrison played electric and acoustic guitar, piano, and Mellotron.  Other musicians on the album include Eric Clapton on electric guitar – credited as “Eddie Clayton” – Harrison’s bandmate Ringo Starr on drums, and Peter Tork of the Monkees who plays banjo (!).  In 1969, George Harrison collaborated with Eric Clapton in writing perhaps my very favorite song by Cream, “Badge”. 
 
(September 2014)
 
Last edited: March 22, 2021