Clear Blue Sky - History and Archive
John Simms, Ken White and Mark Sheather all originated from Acton, West London and began playing music at a very early age. They formed their first band whilst still attending school which was a rhythm and blues outfit they called ‘Jug Blues’. They swiftly boarded the club circuit, performing a set of cover songs to all and sundry.
An extensive tour of Germany resulted and this was a success.
It was at this point that they decided to write their own material.Their primary set evolved. It was 'raw, fresh, with a brutal edge’ said one journalist, and certainly original.
They took it to the listening ears everywhere performing under various band names such as ‘X’ and ‘Matuse’,
Covering the entire UK circuit and Europe. They entered the famous Marquee club talent contest in Londonand won outright.
As they came offstage, they were approached by Donavan’s manager, Ashley Kozak, and the band worked with him for some time.
Bigger status was achieved. The band played on the same bill as Janis Joplin/Big Brother & the Holding company, Rory Gallagher/Taste, Country Joe and the Fish, Free, Gentle Giant to name but a few...
Their unique style had now fully emerged and new songs were constantly being created. The music was highly experimental and heavy, and belied their youth. Present day journalists have cited the band for being one of the original inventors of what has nowadays become known as heavy metal.
They began to collect a loyal following. The vitality and originality of the music together their musical ability soon attracted the attention of the record companies.
One of the foremost producers of that era, namely Patrick Campbell-Lyons, formerly of 60's chart success band ' NIRVANA ', came to see who was creating the buzz, and instantly decided the band had enormous potential. The band thereafter took the name 'CLEAR BLUE SKY'.
Within the spring of 1970, Patrick Campbell-Lyons signed the band to the celebrated VERTIGO record label – home of many original new sounds that were emerging at that time.
John Simms was not yet eighteen, and that summer they went into the studios to make their first album, which was (eventually) self titled (some early press releases give the title as ‘Play it Loud’ which was subsequently dropped), and featured one of the very first cover designs by artist Roger Dean.
It was released on vinyl in January 1971.
The original vinyl is now very much a collector’s item. However, such is the longevity of this album that it has been re-released by many record companies since and is ongoing to this day.
Bassist Mark Sheather left the band in favour of married life. Andrew Chard took over this role, until Kraznet Montpelier replaced him.
The band toured constantly, working the four corners of the rock circuit, and also spent time in the studio recording. Sadly management issues left the band disillusioned and they ceased playing live gigs.
In 1975, guitarist John joined 'Tangerine Peel'. He took the place of Michael Chapman of Chinnichap fame, and toured and recorded with them for a while. The time spent with ' Tangerine Peel ' was very rewarding. John enjoyed exploring a more commercial field.
Soon John felt the need to get back to the heavier, more experimental style. He formed another band with Clear Blue Sky drummer Kenny White. They recruited Smith Campbell as bass player, whose band ' Hokus Poke ' had also appeared on the Vertigo label. They had a gritty, powerful, to-the-point sound, and appropriately called themselves ' The Needle '.
John Entwistle
John Entwistle (The Who) befriended the band, and various music projects were created as a result with recordings in the archives. He would arrive unannounced at their gigs and jam with them.
The next musical venture took a different approach altogether. This time, John got together with
drummer Paul Gibbs ('The Wild Angels', some CBS recordings (‘Live & Unreleased’) etc), and on
fretless bass, Ian McDonald ('Furniture' and presently Claus Bohling's (Secret Oyster/Hurdy Gurdy) and 'Elektrum' amongst others).
Their individual influences and backgrounds blended well and formed a very distinctive sound. Dynamic and fresh, one magazine announced them as a ‘unique blend of spirited high class rock-funk-fusion’.
The name 'Separate Energy' seemed a perfect description of their musical recipe.
Separate Energy became popular in a very short time. Within the first year, the band appeared at the last Stonehenge festival with Hawkwind.
Film footage is in the archives. They were creating an in impact and Ginger Baker's manager - wanting new members for Ginger's forthcoming new band - came to see them.
He deemed John and Ian to be the ideal partners for Ginger’s imminent project.
John and Ian joined Ginger for many tours, and we could keep you entertained with the many stories and antics relating to Ginger! John became friends with Ginger’s family.
Ginger Baker
After Ian left the scene, John formed a band with Ginger’s son Kofi, also a gifted and technically astute drummer. They invited Kraznet Montpelier as bass player, and new blood Maxine Marten as lead vocalist.
This music was a diverse blend of power rock with rich jazz/fusion overtones.
Ms Marten invented the name ‘Karizma’ (www.myspace.com/Karizma). They wrote and recorded extensively - about two to three albums worth of material.
By the start of 1990, there had been a resurgence of interest from the public in bands from the ‘70’s including Clear Blue Sky. With a new manager who was passionate about the music, namely Tony Hamlin (who subsequently became a close, personal friend), John decided to reform Clear Blue Sky.
Recordings made by the band in the '70's were exhumed, and were constructed into an album entitled ' Destiny ‘, after one of its featured tracks. It was released by Saturn Records in August 1990. It was originally pressed as a limited edition on vinyl and cassette format. Musicians included in these recordings were John Simms, Kenny White (drums), Andrew Chard (bass), Smith Campbell (from band Hokus Poke/bass), Barry King – guitar and synth.
The band was asked to play the 20th Anniversary Isle of Wight Festival in the summer of 1990. Film footage of this is out there somewhere. This line-up featured John Simms, Kraznet Montpelier and drummer from Separate Energy Paul ‘River’ Gibbs.
2001 marked the 30th anniversary of Clear Blue Sky's recording career. To celebrate the occasion, Hi-Note Music issued two new releases on the Aftermath label.
These embrace the band's early career. The first release, entitled 'Out of the Blue/Live & Unreleased features the very first demo recordings made by the band way back in 1969, preceding their Vertigo debut album, the average age of the band then just 16 years old! Other previously unreleased tracks are included together with live versions of songs from the first album. Original band members feature including John Simms, Kenny White and Mark Sheather, plus Kraznet Montpelier, Paul ‘River’ Gibbs and Ted Landon and Smith Campbell.
Of the second release, namely 'Mirror of the Stars', their record company, Hi-Note Music, had this to say:
"A stunning and electrifying new album, their heavyweight rock style now multi-layered with facets of psych, progressive, blues-space and garage, projecting boundaries ever further."
This lineup featured John Simms, Kenny White on drums, Ted Landon on bass, Maxine Marten, Lee Limerick (backing vocals) and Adam Lewis (keyboard).
Clear Blue Sky began writing further new material. During this time tragedy struck during the final days of 2005 when Tony, their beloved friend, confidant and manager passed away unexpectedly. He had never recovered from the death of his only child, Lisa, killed in a freak accident one year prior.
Clear Blue Sky had already written and recorded a track as a tribute to Lisa, who loved the band and
she had attended gigs and sessions since her early years. The track, ‘Love Inner Spiritual Awakening’ LISA), was the last new song from CBS that Tony heard before his untimely death and understandably had now taken on even greater poignancy.
The album ‘Gateway to the Seventh Dimension’ is a distillation of the members’ collective experiences including spiritual and exploratory new aspects, and the start of a new era for the band. It represents the studio album the band always wanted to make, and the direct shift from analogue recording to digital era.
This lineup featured John Simms, Kraznet Montpelier, Maxine Marten and Kenny White, Lee Limerick (backing vocals)and was released by Stone Island Records on the Stargaze International label. The stunning cover art is by world renowned artist John Pitre . Additional art and layout by Maxine Marten and Colin Masson.
It features a luxury, full colour 32 page booklet. Produced & engineered by Kraznet Montpelier.
In 2009, John became associated with Thomas Tiefenbacher, aka ‘Tom Space’. Thomas is a dynamic drummer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer.
Thomas recorded live in a London studio with Clear Blue Sky, and the band produced a fresh batch of spontaneous songs collectively known as the album. ‘Don’t Mention Rock ‘n’ Roll’, which was released early 2013 by Stone Island Records on the Stargaze International label.
This is a blend of original rock, psyche, progressive, blues and more. John Simms, Kraznet Montpelier and Maxine Marten (Lyricist, vocal arrangements and vocals) are featured along with sparkling contributions from Lee Limerick, David Hendry (Ohead) and Lee & Lucy Limerick (backing vocals). Produced & engineered by Kraznet Montpelier. Art by Colin Masson.
There are lots of unreleased recordings in the archives, including songs written in the early years of Clear Blue Sky that were never issued but carry the flavour of those early years.
The core members of Clear Blue Sky remain very active musically and frequently collaborate with other bands and artists. In 2019 John Simms & Maxine Marten featured on what was to be the very last album from Bernie Torme. Sadly he died just after its completion.
In 2020, at last, a long awaited solo album from John Simms! Entirely original (of course) and combining many elements and styles, and of course the very notorious guitar works John is known for. Entitled 'John Simms' Light Trails: Chromatology', aptly entitled as the invented word 'Chromatology' means the colour of music. The album showcases John's ability to play many styles, fusing genres in an original way. John has never followed trends, but is known for spontaneous combustion - the art of writing songs on the spot and amazing guitar solos in one take!! Features the great talents of Ohead and Tim Jones.
John Simms' Light Trails 'Chromotology'
Thanks for your interest!