Singer and guitarist Tony McPhee, who fronted British blues and rock group The Groundhogs throughout six many years, has died aged 79.
The band confirmed McPhee’s dying in an announcement on their Fb web page, which learn: “We’re deeply saddened to announce that 79-year-old guitar and blues legend Tony (TS) McPhee, died peacefully at house at the moment sixth June, from problems following a fall final 12 months.”
Born on March 22, 1944, in Humberston, Lincolnshire, McPhee started listening to imported blues albums that his brother would convey house. He advised Traditional Rock in 2007 that “it was then that I first heard this uncooked stuff and my ears pricked up. There was some good pop music on the time however nothing that basically stirred you. Then I went to see Cyril Davies on the Marquee in 1963, heard correct R&B and thought: ‘this’ll do’”.
Music mourns the passing of Tony McPhee – Groundhogs founder, British R&B growth pioneer, and an underground hero.https://t.co/7wAUhhxvak pic.twitter.com/lfX9rE75vc
— CLASH (@ClashMagazine) June 7, 2023
RIP Tony McPhee; chief of the nice Groundhogs, and creator of this off-kilter wtf-was-that traditional pic.twitter.com/Nm1C9vLRKb
— South Information (@southrecordshop) June 6, 2023
Remembering Tony McPhee with my favorite Groundhogs album on the turntable. #Groundhogs #TonyMcPhee #bluesrock pic.twitter.com/1VeNVEowaz
— Vinyl Revival Retailer (@VinylRevivalUK) June 6, 2023
He joined a south London group, the Greenback Payments, in 1962 and renamed them the Groundhogs after the John Lee Hooker music ‘Groundhog Blues’. The band caught to their blues roots whereas their friends strayed away leaning into pop as a method to appeal to extra of a mainstream viewers.
The Groundhogs would get the possibility to work with Hooker himself, backing him on his 1965 LP ‘Hooker And The Hogs’ after which on two UK excursions. Their debut, 1968’s ‘Scratching The Floor’ faltered as Motown took over. “The primary blues growth ended when soul got here in, that killed it stone lifeless,” shared McPhee.
With Fleetwood Mac and Humble Pie coming into the scene, The Groundhogs returned with their second album ‘Blues Obituary’ which was adopted by ‘Thank Christ For The Bomb’, ‘Cut up’ and ‘Who Will Save the World?’.
RIP Tony Mcphee of the mighty Groundhogs, heavy as hell however nonetheless delicate. What a report Cut up is pic.twitter.com/VYlBRzNfEk
— Bruce Gorrie (@bsgorrie) June 6, 2023
“Tony McPhee is an absolute genius. He was the British Hendrix, y’know? He may do hovering suggestions solos, and actually took the entire guitar-playing factor so far as he may. And what he doesn’t know in regards to the blues isn’t value realizing,” shared The Dammed’s Captain Smart in an interview with Traditional Rock.
After splitting up in 1976, The Groundhogs returned within the mid-80s with a brand new lineup and recorded two extra albums. The band re-recorded their traditional first albums and scheduled a tour for his or her fortieth anniversary in 2003.
In 2009, McPhee suffered the primary of a collection of strokes, which took a toll on his speech and affected his singing voice, and he retired from the group in 2015.
“My important want is to be recognised for my contributions to blues and rock and the guitar,” McPhee advised US radio station WMFU in 2011. “That’s all of the standing I want.”
McPhee is survived by his spouse Joanna, sons Conan & Vincent, grandchildren Scarlett and Victor, and sister Olive.
