HEALING FORCE

The legendary Healing Force was something of a 'supergroup', and its history intersects with several other important bands of the period, notably King Harvest and Friends. They made only one single, but it is still widely regarded as one of the flagship Australian progressive rock releases of the early '70s. All the members had a wealth of experience: Laurie Pryor (ex The Twilights); Charlie Tumahai (ex Aesops Fables); Mal Logan (ex NZ band The Rebels) and Lindsay Wells (ex Sari Britt).

The first lineup formed late in 1970 and began playing in Adelaide over the '70/'71 Christmas period. They played at several early rock festivals including Launching Place. In April 1971, they signed with Robie Porter's new Sparmac label. Midway through 1971, they expanded to a five piece with the addition of John Pugh (ex-18th Century Quartet) on guitar. In July, they released their brilliant single, "Golden Miles", written by Lindsay Wells. This track is one of the most admired Australian progressive rock recordings of the period, and indeed rock historian Ian McFarlane named his magazine after it and rates it as the best Australian progressive recording of the era.

It was deservedly successful and spent nineteen weeks in the Melbourne charts, barely missing out on entering the Top 30. It features rippling Hammond organ by Logan with a beautiful melody line and a dramatic chorus, highlighted by the soaring vocals of the late, great Charlie Tumahai. ''Golden Miles'' appears on the aussie compilations: 'Rock Me Gently: Australian Pop of the 70s Volume 4' (Sony/BMG), 'Seventies Downunder' (Raven) and 'Golden Miles 1969-1974' (Raven). The flip side, ''The Gully'' another Lindsay Wells composition, was heavier but almost as good. ''The Gully'' appears on the compilation album 'Psych Bites Volume 1' (2009) on the Past and Present label. Just before the single hit the charts, Charlie quit and the group returned to a four piece. He was replaced by Ray Findlay.

Pryor left soon after and was replaced by Joe Tattersall (ex-Barrelhouse), but then Lindsay also left, and the band fizzled out. In November 1972, Healing Force reformed with Logan, Pryor and Pugh, plus newcomers Gus Fenwick (ex The Pleazers) on bass and Mal Capewell (ex-Phil Jones and the Unknown Blues) on reeds. This version performed at the Sunbury Pop Festival in January 1973, with Charlie rejoining especially for the show. One track from their set, "Erection", was included on the Mushroom Records 'Sunbury '73' album. They disbanded shortly afterwards, during preparations for a planned LP, leaving their considerable promise sadly unfulfilled. Charlie Tumahai died in 1995. Laurie Pryor died in 2010. Joe Tattersall died in 2022.

Members

Laurie Pryor (drums), Charlie Tumahai (vocals, bass), Mal Logan (organ), Lindsay Wells (bass, guitar), Ray Findlay (bass), John Pugh (guitar), Joe Tattersall (drums), Mal Capewell (sax, flute),
Gus Fenwick (bass)

References

http://www.milesago.com/artists/healing-force.htm