Listen to the Steampacket performing ‘Holy Smoke’ here:
The Steampacket first started performing gigs in 1962, but was not officially ‘formed’, by vocalist Long John Baldry after his backing band the Hoochie Coochie Men split up, until mid-1965. Baldry’s concept was for a soul-style revue and the line-up featured many musicians who went on to become [...]
From 1964 to 1965, the Authentics played the Marquee every Friday night for about 12 months. During that time, the big crowd pullers were Long John Baldry with Rod Stewart, at the Marquee on Wednesday nights I think, and Georgie Fame and Chris Farlowe at the Flamingo on a Thursday and Saturday. That seemed to [...]
A jazz pianist who worked his way up through the clubs, Brian Auger won the Melody Maker jazz poll in 1964 and established his reputation as a creative session keyboard player with his contribution to recordings like the Yardbirds’ ‘For Your Love’. At Long John Baldry’s request, he helped the vocalist to form Steampacket, which [...]
John Baldry appearing with the Brian Auger Trinity in 1965. (Look out for Rod Stewart and Julie Driscoll on backing vocals!)
Six foot seven inches in height, it was inevitable that John Baldry should be given the nickname ‘Long John’. However, he was not only an imposing physical figure, but will always be remembered as one [...]