The original bassist and vocalist for the reknowned Deep Purple left the band to become involved in a couple of fairly interesting projects. First up, bass player Nicky Simper departed the band over a dispute in the band's direction . This was a mutual decision given that Blackmore, Lord and Paice essentially fired Simper and vocalist Rod Evans desiring musicians of different capabilities. The trade-up in Simper's case turned out to be a good one, given replacement Roger Glover's added production expertise. Simper next joined singer Marsha Hunt's backing band and replaced the guitarist and drummer with Ged Peck and Mac Poole, respectively. Hunt became pregnant and left the act, prompting Simper and Peck to make an adjustment or two. Ashley Holt was brought in as lead singer and Rick Wakeman (yes, that Rick Wakeman) was recruited on keyboards, shortly after to be replaced by Frank Wilson. The band was christened Warhorse. A listen to the band's initial work reveals perhaps a bit more of a progressive rock leaning, but it's hard to divine just what real "musical differences" seperated Simper and his former band at that point.
Rod Evans' departure from the band saw him relocating 'cross the ocean to California, where he joined forces with ex- Johnny Winter sideman Bobby Caldwell on drums, original Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman, and latter-day Iron Buterfly guitarist Larry "Rhino ' Reinhardt. This band was called Captain Beyond, again cast in a heavy, somewhat Deep Purplish mold. While the songs tended to go on a bit for my tastes, the opening riff on the tune "Dancing Madly Backwards (On A Sea Of Air)" is a splendid one that would be right at home on any song in Purple's repetoire. I will point out to any up and coming rock bands that a song's title need not consist of an entire line of the song's lyrics - but that's just me. Also, "Raging River Of Fear" from the band's debut album is a perfectly rendered monster of a song that should have been the template for all future efforts by the band.
Rod Evans' departure from the band saw him relocating 'cross the ocean to California, where he joined forces with ex- Johnny Winter sideman Bobby Caldwell on drums, original Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman, and latter-day Iron Buterfly guitarist Larry "Rhino ' Reinhardt. This band was called Captain Beyond, again cast in a heavy, somewhat Deep Purplish mold. While the songs tended to go on a bit for my tastes, the opening riff on the tune "Dancing Madly Backwards (On A Sea Of Air)" is a splendid one that would be right at home on any song in Purple's repetoire. I will point out to any up and coming rock bands that a song's title need not consist of an entire line of the song's lyrics - but that's just me. Also, "Raging River Of Fear" from the band's debut album is a perfectly rendered monster of a song that should have been the template for all future efforts by the band.
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