Thunderclap Newman

Formed 1969 in England Disbanded 1969

Group Members:

John "Speedy" Keen Andy Newman Jimmy McCulloch Leslie Taylor

John "Speedy" Keene was an old crony of the Who, and had written "Armenia City in the Sky," which appeared on The Who Sell Out LP. The unlikely Andy Newman played terrific pub-style piano and looked much like a postal clerk, which in fact, he was. Jimmy McCullough, the guitarist, looked to be a mere teenager, and so he was. It was this combination, plus the production efforts of Pete Townshend, that offered the album, Hollywood Dream. As the now-classic single, "Something in the Air" had long preceded it, the album delivered the goods in a similar fashion, fueled by Keene's reedy vocals and Newman's charming honky-tonk piano. Hollywood Dream has remained an anglophile fave; sadly, it was to be Thunderclap Newman's only album. Even if you own the original LP, make sure to check out the recently expanded edition of the compact disc.

Discography: