By March 1975, the Album & the American Tour was in full swing. This is the 50th anniversary of the release of "Mad Dog" & the American Tour. Entwistle's OX tour went across the USA playing with Acts such as" Humble Pie", "J. Giles Band", "Joe Walsh", "Frampton's Camel" & "Roy Buchanan". The tour coincided with The Who's "Tommy" Movie premier parties in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles in which Entwistle's OX Band made special appearances.
(PRUnderground) March 11th, 2025
In August of 1974 at the invitation of legendary British Guitarist Chris Spedding, Memphis Guitarist Robert Johnson, moved to London England after a year of touring with R&B Legend, Ann Peebles. Chris Spedding had asked Johnson to join his band with Snips Parsons, Sharks. Johnson declined the offer as Spedding wanted Johnson to play Bass Guitar. Johnson had sat in with Sharks on their American Tour as their Bass Player did not show up for a show, Johnson upon arriving in England ended up writing 2 songs with Snips for the upcoming Sharks album on MCA Records. When Johnson showed up at The Who’s Rempart Studio in Battersea, he met Sharks producer John Alcock. To Johnson’s surprise, Alcock asked Johnson to come into the lounge and be introduced to the co-producer who turned out to be John Entwistle. Chris Spedding immediately told Entwistle, who was looking for a guitarist for his sole project, that Johnson would be a great choice. Entwistle & Alcock (who was also producing Entwistle’s Mad Dog Album) invited Johnson to Shepperton Sound Stage to audition for John Entwistle’s OX Band. Upon arriving, Johnson was told by Alcock that they had been auditioning dozens of guitarists for 4 months and have not found anyone who can keep up with Entwistle’s playing ability. After a very loud audition with Entwistle & The OX Band, Alcock asked Entwistle. “What did you think of Robert’s playing”? Entwistle replied, I don’t know as I could not hear him. Entwistle was playing extremely loud. Alcock decided they should go to Entwistle’s house in London & and have a quiet jam session. Upon arriving at Entwistle’s home, Entwistle reached up to grab a bass guitar on the wall and 6 of his bass guitars fell on the floor. Entwistle said, no big deal, The Who are used to smashing gear. It was decided that night by Alcock & Entwistle that Johnson had secured the job as guitarist of John Entwistle’s OX.
By December of 1974, John Entwistle’s OX had completed a sold out tour of England, Scotland & Wales. In Mid-December, Johnson found himself in Wessex Recording Studio recording with Alice Cooper, Leo Sayer, Bill Bruford, John Entwistle, Frankie Miller, Nicky Hopkins, Elkie Brooks & Keith Moon. The project was a musical score & LP entitled, “Flash Fearless & the Zorg Women” for Chrysalis Records. During these sessions, Nicky Hopkins had told Mick Jagger about Johnson as a guitarist and gave Jagger Johnson’s phone number as Mick Taylor had just quit the Rolling Stones. This led to Johnson’s personal invitation from Jagger to join the Stones in Rotterdam Holland for the “Black & Blues sessions January 31st 1975- March 4th 1975. The January 31st & February 1st sessions feature both Johnson & Jeff Beck. Jagger had invited Johnson & Keith Richards had invited Jeff Beck & either told each other. This is also noted on Bill Wyman’s website.
After the Stones Rotterdam sessions, Johnson headed back to London to prepare for the release of John Entwistle’s solo album, “Mad Dog” which features Johnson on the 2 single releases, “Cell Number 7” & “Mad Dog” & the album track “Jungle Bunny”.
By March 1975, the Album & the American Tour was in full swing. This is the 50th anniversary of the release of “Mad Dog” & the American Tour. Entwistle’s OX tour went across the USA playing with Acts such as” Humble Pie”, “J. Giles Band”, “Joe Walsh”, “Frampton’s Camel” & “Roy Buchanan”. The tour coincided with The Who’s “Tommy” Movie premier parties in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles in which Entwistle’s OX Band made special appearances.
Entwistle’s Ox was recorded live on the King Biscuit Flower Hour at the Philadelphia Spectrum with Humble Pie & Frampton’s Camel on March 15th 1975 & were also featured on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test February 17th 1975.
Recalls Tiven, “I went to the New York City gig, at the Academy of Music, and the band was excellent and extremely loud. At the afterparty at The Plaza Hotel, I was chatting with Phil May of the Pretty Things when Mick Jagger walked in and made a beeline for us. We all had a nice chat with John Entwistle & Robert Johnson.”
Interview by Jon Tiven
Music writer & 4 time Grammy Nominee
& Producer of Steve Cropper
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