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About The Pretty Things:

The Pretty Things were an English rock band that formed in 1963 in London. The band consisted of lead vocalist Phil May, lead guitarist Dick Taylor, bassist John Stax, drummer Viv Prince, and keyboardist Brian Pendleton.

Initially, The Pretty Things were heavily influenced by American blues and R&B artists, and their early sound reflected this. They had a raw, high-energy style that drew comparisons to The Rolling Stones and The Who. However, as they progressed, they began to experiment with more psychedelic and progressive elements, adding horns, strings, and even avant-garde sound effects to their music.

The band released their debut album, 'The Pretty Things', in 1965, which included the hit single 'Don't Bring Me Down'. They followed this up with a string of successful albums, including 'Get The Picture?' (1965), 'Emotions' (1967), and 'S.F. Sorrow' (1968). The latter is considered a pioneering concept album, telling the story of a man's life from birth to death, and is credited with influencing many later rock operas.

Despite their success, The Pretty Things had a reputation for wild behavior and run-ins with the law. This, coupled with internal tensions, led to several lineup changes over the years. In 1970, both Pendleton and Prince left the band, and they were replaced by Wally Waller and Skip Alan, respectively.

The band continued to release new music, including the albums 'Parachute' (1970), 'Freeway Madness' (1972), and 'Silk Torpedo' (1974), but by the mid-1970s, they had largely faded from mainstream consciousness. They continued to tour and record sporadically, however, and in 1998, they released their final album, 'Rage Before Beauty'.

Over the years, The Pretty Things have been cited as an influence by many artists, including David Bowie, Aerosmith, and Sex Pistols. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

The band's legacy is defined by their dynamic sound, innovative approach to concept albums, and their reputation as one of the wildest and most rebellious bands of the 1960s. Through their music, they challenged conventions and pushed the boundaries of what was possible in rock and roll, leaving an indelible mark on the genre that continues to influence musicians today.

About the album The Pretty Things:

The Pretty Things' self-titled album, released in 1965, is a classic example of British garage rock and is widely regarded as a seminal album in the genre. This album showcases the raw energy and rebellious attitude of the band, with its mix of bluesy riffs, hard-edged guitar work, and gritty vocals.

The album kicks off with the track 'Rosalyn,' a mid-tempo blues-rocker with a memorable riff that sets the tone for what is to come. The next two tracks, 'Don't Bring Me Down' and 'Midnight to Six Man,' are both classics in their own right, with their catchy choruses and driving rhythms.

The rest of the album is a mix of blues-based rockers and slower ballads, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. 'We'll Be Together,' for example, has a jazzy, almost lounge-like feel to it, complete with brass instruments. 'LSD' is a haunting, psychedelic take on the drug culture of the time, with its hypnotic guitar lines and trippy vocal effects.

Overall, The Pretty Things is a great showcase for the band's talents, particularly their ability to blend rock and blues influences into something new and exciting. While it may not have the production values or slickness of some of their later albums, it more than makes up for it with its raw energy and unbridled enthusiasm.

Members:

The Pretty Things were an English rock band that formed in London in 1963. The band boasted several key members through their tumultuous and ever-changing history. Here are brief biographies of each:

1. Phil May - born on November 11, 1944, in Dartford, Kent. He was the lead vocalist of The Pretty Things and one of its founding members. May was known for his powerful voice and on-stage charisma. He passed away on May 15, 2020, at the age of 75.

2. Dick Taylor - born on January 28, 1943, in Dartford, Kent. He was the lead guitarist and one of the founding members of The Pretty Things. Taylor left the band in 1969 but rejoined in 1978. He remained with the band until their retirement in 2018.

3. Brian Pendleton - born on April 13, 1944, in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. Pendleton was the rhythm guitarist for The Pretty Things from 1963-1965 and contributed several hit songs to the band's repertoire. He left due to musical differences but remained active in the music industry until his death in 2001.

4. John Stax - born on January 8, 1943. He joined The Pretty Things as their bassist in 1965 and remained with the band until their retirement in 2018. In addition to his work with The Pretty Things, Stax also played bass for the band Jimi Hendrix played with before the Experience, Curtis Knight and the Squires.

5. Brian 'Twink' Alder - born on November 15, 1944, in Colchester, Essex. He was the drummer for The Pretty Things from 1965-1969. After leaving the band, Alder played with several other notable groups, including Pink Fairies, Stars, and Tomorrow.

6. Skip Alan - born on June 2, 1942, in Lewisham, London. He replaced Alder as the drummer for The Pretty Things from 1969-1970. He also played with other notable bands, including T. Rex, Chicken Shack, and Joan Armatrading.

7. Wally Waller - born on August 21, 1948, in Hammersmith, London. He joined The Pretty Things in 1969 as their bassist and played on several of their most celebrated albums, including Parachute and Freeway Madness. Waller went on to perform with other groups, including the band The Kinks, before his death in 2004.

8. Gordon Edwards - born in the early 1950s. He joined the group as bassist in 1970 and played with the band until their retirement in 2018. Edwards also performed with the bands London and Aerovons.

Track List for The Pretty Things:

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Discography for The Pretty Things:

Here is the complete discography for The Pretty Things in chronological order, including all albums, singles, and other releases with their respective release dates:

Studio albums:
1. The Pretty Things (1965)
2. Get the Picture? (1965)
3. Emotions (1967)
4. S.F. Sorrow (1968)
5. Parachute (1970)
6. Freeway Madness (1972)
7. Silk Torpedo (1974)
8. Savage Eye (1976)
9. Cross Talk (1980)
10. Rage Before Beauty (1999)
11. Balboa Island (2007)

Live albums:
1. Live at the 100 Club (1975)
2. Live at Heartbreak Hotel (1984)
3. The Final Bow (2015)

Compilation albums:
1. Freeway Madness / Silk Torpedo (1976)
2. Greatest Hits (1981)
3. The EP Collection (1984)
4. Latest Writs (1988)
5. The Vintage Years (1999)
6. Bouquets from a Cloudy Sky (2015)

Singles:
1. 'Rosalyn' / 'Come See Me' (1964)
2. 'Don't Bring Me Down' / 'We'll Be Together' (1964)
3. 'Honey I Need' / 'I Can Never Say' (1965)
4. 'Cry to Me' / 'Get a Buzz' (1965)
5. 'Midnight to Six Man' / 'Can't Stand the Pain' (1965)
6. 'Sittin' All Alone' / 'LSD' (1967)
7. 'Defecting Grey' / 'Turn My Head' (1968)
8. 'Talking About the Good Times' / 'Walking Through My Dreams' (1968)
9. 'The Good Mr. Square' / 'Blue Serge Blues' (1969)
10. 'October 26' / 'Cold Stone' (1969)
11. 'Stone Hearted Mama' / 'Summertime' (1970)
12. 'Singapore Silk Torpedo' / 'Falling Again' (1974)

Other notable releases:
1. The Pretty Things (EP) (1964)
2. Midnight to Six Man (EP) (1965)
3. Get the Picture? (EP) (1965)
4. Emotions (EP) (1967)
5. Private Sorrow (EP) (1968)
6. The Electric Banana (1967-1969) - released under the pseudonym The Electric Banana, the band released four albums and multiple singles under this name.