In 1969 with the exit of vocalist Gerry Anderson, Paper Grape evolved into Hot Cottage, a pop orientated outfit featuring multi layered harmonies, favouring the music of Neil Young and Buffalo Springfield mixed with the Brit styling’s of the Hollies and Beatles. Rick Suey from the band Rick and The Bad Boys was recruited as co vocalist, along with Greg Grace from The Flying Circus. The line up was completed with Hammond organist Dick Huxley (ex-Johnny Rebb & The Atlantics), Steve Hart on bass Kim Humphreys on guitar and Kevin ''Loppy'' Morris on drums.
The band became an instant crowd pleaser and was quickly snapped up by EMI / Alberts. Their single ''Mr Soul/ Bluebird'', received a ton of airplay of but was not a major chart success. In time, Greg Grace returned to the Flying Circus, keyboardist Dick Huxley lost interest and Rick elected to go and party 24/7 with his newfound friend, Easybeats singer Stevie Wright. The band then called on Barry Dominey (ex-Omen) to fill the vocal spot. Back down to a four piece, the band returned to the Paper Grape format of blues rock, embracing the new Brit sounds of Free, Rory Gallagher, Family and Spooky Tooth. The band supported The Kinks on the Sydney leg of their Australian tour in 1971. Their next single, ''Made To Love You'', was penned by Ted Mulry. The record did much better aided by weekly TV appearances on the four-hour Saturday morning music show, Happening 72. The band did a huge outdoor gig supporting The Kinks and Daddy Cool at Randwick Racecourse to a crowd of over 20,000. They finished up not long after.
Members
Rick Suey (vocals) Barry Dominey (vocals) Jim Willebrant (vocals) Steve Hart (bass)
Kim Humphreys (guitar) Dick Huxley (organ, guitar, vocals) Alan Marshall (organ, guitar)
Kevin "Loppy" Morris (drums)
References
1969-1972: Hot Cottage (kimhumphreys.com)
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