Dec 14

Russell Hunter

RUSSELL HUNTER

 
In 1987, the long-awaited reunion of the Pink Fairies materialized with Kill ’Em and Eat ’Em; Mick Farren provided only the liner notes (and likely some inspiration).  Musicians on the album included Andy Colquhoun, plus original member Twink as the drummer and vocalist, Duncan (Sandy) Sanderson (bass), Russell Hunter (drums), and Larry Wallis (guitar), who joined the band for their third album, Kings of Oblivion (where the musician credits list him as playing “big guitar”).  Two years later, Andy, Sandy and Russell began performing and recording as Flying Colours – essentially the Pink Fairies but without the name.
 
Over the years, the Pink Fairies had put most of their great early tracks on vinyl, but several rockcrits noticed one that had not yet made it:  “Runnin’ Outta Road”.  Andy Colquhoun includes the Flying Colours recording of this song on his solo CD, Pick up the Phone, America! – Andy is joined on the track by Pink Fairies core members Duncan Sanderson and Russell Hunter – and it is as raw and rowdy as any rock song you will ever hear.
 
(August 2011)
 
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In 1967, Mick Farren launched his first rock band, the Social Deviants with himself as vocalist, pianist and songwriter, plus Pete Munro (bass guitar), Clive Muldoon (guitar), Mike Robinson (guitar), and Russell Hunter (drums).  After Muldoon and Munro left the band, Sid Bishop (guitar) and Cord Rees (bass) joined up, and the name was shortened to the Deviants. 

 

The three remaining members of the Deviants at that point – Russell Hunter, Duncan Sanderson and Paul Rudolph – became the core members of the Pink Fairies, though not immediately.

 
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The Pink Fairies proper began to take shape when Twink connected with the three remaining members of the Deviants after Mick Farren was sacked:  Russell Hunter, Duncan Sanderson and Paul Rudolph.  This line-up produced the debut album, Never Never Land (1971).  The album features classic Fairies tracks like “Do It”, “War Girl”, and “Uncle Harry’s Last Freak-Out”, but not the early single that is probably their best known song, “The Snake” (yes, that is a penis reference).

 
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As described on the funtopia.com website:  “On his return to England in 2009, he [Mick Farren] reconvened his band the Deviants along with his long time friend and musical collaborator Andy Colquhoun and original 1960s era Deviants and later Pink Fairies, Russell Hunter and Duncan ‘Sandy’ Sanderson.  They played a number of well received gigs since reforming, including The Spirit of ’71 stage at Glastonbury [Festival] in 2011, as well as the Sonic Rock Solstice Festival in Wales, June 2013.  The Deviants also released a new single on Shagrat Records in July 2013 called ‘The Fury of the Mob’.  Mick collapsed on stage whilst the Deviants were performing at the Atomic Sunshine Festival at the Borderline Club on Saturday 27th July 2013.  He never regained consciousness.”

 
(March 2014/1)
 
Last edited: March 22, 2021