BAND OF TALABENE

Band of Talabene began its short career in April 1972 under the name Willy and The Philtones, consisting of Phil Manning on guitar (ex-Chain), Tony Buettel on drums (ex-Bay City Union, Fraternity), guitarist Tony Naylor and bassist Phil Gaunt (both ex Ida May Mack). The original name was inspired by Eric Clapton's group of the time, Derek and The Dominos. There was no "Willy" in Manning's band, but the "Philtones" of course combined the names of the two Phils and the two Tonys. A few months later, Phil's young daughter Kim had a dream in which she saw a band called Talabene that featured pumpkins playing guitars. Taking this as a good omen, Phil renamed the group accordingly. In July '72 bassist Gus Fenwick (ex-Pleazers) replaced Gaunt. They recorded one single, the rocky "Herbert's Boogie / Tell It Like It Is" (Nov. 1972) produced by Brian Cadd which was released on Ron Tudor's new Bootleg label. This lineup split in December 1972 when Manning left to join Mighty Mouse, which in turn led to him rejoin Chain during 1973.

 
Tony Naylor kept the Talabene name, however, and put together a new lineup featuring Peter Roberts (ex-Freshwater, La De Das, Band of Light) on guitar, Geoff Prime (ex-The Kelly) on bass, and former Party Machine drummer Peter Curtain. They released one single, "Oh Darlin / Blind Man" (April 1973) again produced by Brian Cadd. By June '73 the lineup had changed again -- Kelly and Curtain were replaced by the great Paul "Sheepdog" Wheeler and Dallas Royal, although Royal was soon replaced by Steve Webb (ex Blackfeather, Duck). This last incarnation of Band of Talabene dissolved at the end of 1973, with Naylor joining the Bootleg Family Band, which included Gus Fenwick, former Cycle drummer Geoff Cox and ex-Ram Jam Big Band trumpeter Russell Smith.

Members

Tony Buettel (drums), Phil Gaunt (bass), Gus Fenwick (bass), Phil Manning (guitar, vocals), Tony Naylor (guitar, vocals), Peter Roberts (guitar), Geoff Prime (bass), Peter Curtain (drums), Paul "Sheepdog" Wheeler (bass), Dallas Royal (drums), Steve Webb (drums)

SINGLES
''Herbert's Boogie / Tell It Like It Is'' 1972 Bootleg
''Oh Darling / A Blind Man'' 1973 Bootleg

References

http://milesago.com/Artists/ArtistFrames.htm