Thanks so much for posting this clip - people (i.e. the young) don't realise that fabulous songs like this were "normal" pop music back in the early 70's. How richly we were blessed...
This was the track that turned me on to rock and roll for good. I heard it in 1970 when I was 10 years old, it was in the UK charts then. Totally underrated band.
Saw Family play as support act for The Who 1976 , Swansea Vetch Field, Roger Chapman blew em away !!! Think they were Streetwalkers then thinking about it, nearly 50 years ago !!! Great memory
remember seeing this band at the Droitwich blues festival in 1969....and Fleetwood Mac was the main band..with Peter Green and co...brilliant...and I had hair in those days
Superb! I was a young teenager when I discovered this band :an excellent fusion of raw ,wild vocals of Chappie with sophisticated instrumental arrangements...they don't come like this any more ...
Have this great clip on DVD. It keeps cropping up, but 1971 is the year that pops up the most in terms of my top music whatever genre. Don't even mind if the drummer looks like Noel Edmonds. 1971? DEAL!
one of the best all time bands , one of my faves , amazing live [saw them many times ,70s, lyceum 71, fantastic], love this , my fave album altho , love all, is anyway ,chappo one of the all time great voices , great band,
It's rather comforting to see how ugly bands looked back in the day and that talent was the be all, rather than today where image is everything. What a voice Mr Chapman has, great band from back in the day.
Saw them in a hilly field at Buxton in 71 or 2. The compere, John Peel (for it was he), welcomed them onstage with the immortal line, ‘And now, the Northern Dance Orchestra’. The stuff dreams are made of…
Great song, Great band, the 'Anyway' album was my first purchase as a 14 year old. I still have it (albeit in the loft) my mother hated it! Hoping to get to the reunion concert next year.
I lived in the UK when this band were at the height of their musical careers. I guess they never got much play in the United States. Too bad, they were a great band.
No they didn't get to play much in the States because on their first gig at the Fillmore Chapman got into an argument with Bill Graham and told him to fuck off! Graham then told 'em they'd never work in the USA again. Graham could make getting gigs difficult, and he did! That was that.
So, sooo, sooooo thankful for this upload patto69 - since the 70s, have only played this in my own mind & now, thanks to you, can experience the wonderful 'Family' again xxx
I always thought they were underrated, they were a brilliant live band, much loved in their home town. They played a few gigs at the DeMontfort Hall when they toured and always sold out. And I believe they were regulars in the Spion Kop at Filbert Street.
Funnily enough, they really didn't like each other at all.... in fact, there was very nearly a punch-up around the back of The Marquee in late 1969, Stainton and Rob Townsend had to separate them.
One of the best and most original bands that came out of that humdrum period in British rock! (actually it wasn't that hum drum when you think of the stuff we've put up with since) Isn't music great though? no matter what you say about the looks, the music bit into your soul then and you remembered you liked it enough to visit it now. That's why it's great and thats why we visit it so often, I can still name the so called friend who borrowed this single and never gave it back.
IA's favourite band - is that so? The two greatest bands ever, Tull and Family in my opinion. I never knew that... always knew Anderson was a right thinking man, though! Family was the first real band I saw, at Leeds Town Hall and the PA collapsed during My Friend the Sun. Chappo praying to the heavens until it fizzed back into life. Great days.
@sillysid1967 I couldn't agree more. I first saw them at Woburn Abbey in 68 and they completely blew me away. I finished up seeing them ten times! I was a fanatic. I think they were at their best at the beginning, when Jim King was with them. Those were the days.
Hands down, the most inventive pop song of the 70's. NOT JUST because of the song, the players, the use of double neck electric guitar and VIBRAPHONE (!!!), but also lyrically ... oh yeah, and the best singer of his type ... just FABU-F'in-LOUS! Who was the creative recording genius behind FAMILY? Anyone know? RTQ
Saw these guys at the Electric Gardens in Glasgow about 1969. Didn't appreciate how good they were at the time. Thought Roger Chapman was a nutter, throwing the mike all over the place. Great night! (I think).
Thanks. Great stuff, 'Chappo' in top form. Hopefully there's some more footage from this criminally underrated band around, should be a clip of 'Dim' around.
Hey DNGBT, I think the flip side was "No Mules Fool" a rather catchy little number. Or maybe that was the flip side of the Weavers Answer, can't remember for sure. Wow that seems so long ago and it's great to hear these again. So much nostalgia! I was about 17 years old at the time and we used to hang out, drink beer and listen to this band. Thanks for posting this gem on youtube.
It's rather comforting how ugly bands were back in the day when talent was all that mattered rather than how today when everything is about image, what a majestic voice Mr Chapman has.
Actually a set of vibes. I looked after Poli when he was in The Shortlist with Roger back in the 80s. At that time he was playing a Simmons Silicon Mallett, which is a set of midi electronic vibes which he connected to a Yamaha YX81Z Synth module. A great player and a lovely bloke.
yes that could explain it .( the merriment) they were on the old grey whistle test about the same time.excellent performance,but i,m afraid i,ve forgotten the content.
Thanks so much for posting this clip - people (i.e. the young) don't realise that fabulous songs like this were "normal" pop music back in the early 70's. How richly we were blessed...
This was the track that turned me on to rock and roll for good. I heard it in 1970 when I was 10 years old, it was in the UK charts then. Totally underrated band.
It came out in 1971
Family. Great Band. Over 50 years later . Still Fresh !!!
one of the best bands there has ever been.
Saw Family play as support act for The Who 1976 , Swansea Vetch Field, Roger Chapman blew em away !!! Think they were Streetwalkers then thinking about it, nearly 50 years ago !!! Great memory
Walked from West Pier me and the boys up Paxton St, great gig, wish I could go back
Just imagine ,my friends ,what if music nowadays was anywhere near as good as this ?
Totally Agree !!
No-one's ever sung like Chappo - totally unique.
Like Brian johnstone of acdc
Noddy Holder too.
Format and dynamics just spot on 👍
There's a reason no one's copied it.
The singing goat 🐐
Roger Chapman Family what a genius he is, nothing ever the same, nothing like it ever again... saw him 1967 and 72.
The first two albums are both masterpieces as far as I'm concerned.
Never heard a voice like this before or since. Brilliant Chapman
Love this. They always played at the youth club at school in 1971. Happy days
remember seeing this band at the Droitwich blues festival in 1969....and Fleetwood Mac was the main band..with Peter Green and co...brilliant...and I had hair in those days
Superb! I was a young teenager when I discovered this band :an excellent fusion of raw ,wild vocals of Chappie with sophisticated instrumental arrangements...they don't come like this any more ...
The only era in my 65 years where I felt I understood the rock scene. That state lasted around 2 months.
Birmingham Town Hall 1970 - what memories.
Many thanks for posting!
What a voice! Brilliant!!!
Family. Great Band. Nothing today is this good !!
Have this great clip on DVD. It keeps cropping up, but 1971 is the year that pops up the most in terms of my top music whatever genre. Don't even mind if the drummer looks like Noel Edmonds. 1971? DEAL!
one of the best all time bands , one of my faves , amazing live [saw them many times ,70s, lyceum 71, fantastic], love this , my fave album altho , love all, is anyway ,chappo one of the all time great voices , great band,
I have admired Family ever since I found their Bandstand album in a cut out bin in 74 or so. Nice to find them on youtube....
It's rather comforting to see how ugly bands looked back in the day and that talent was the be all, rather than today where image is everything. What a voice Mr Chapman has, great band from back in the day.
LOVE THIS FOR 41 YEARS /ONE OF THE FINEST BANDS EVER/WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF 71/
Me too!
one of the great voices of rock.
Saw them at St.Albans Civic and this has bought a shiver to my spine.The man was barking but a genius!!
St Albans Civic, great venue. I went to a few there.
The best rock singer this country ever produced
Loved this and burlesque 2 cracking trak s
Great song reminds me of summer 1971 at Great Yarmouth with a girl from Kettering called Sue Green ppy days
By far the best vocalist you wil
l EVER hear
love it, used to play it on the jukebox in the beach cafe at Polperro every day.
Saw them in a hilly field at Buxton in 71 or 2. The compere, John Peel (for it was he), welcomed them onstage with the immortal
line, ‘And now, the Northern Dance Orchestra’. The stuff dreams are made of…
Great song, Great band, the 'Anyway' album was my first purchase as a 14 year old. I still have it (albeit in the loft) my mother hated it! Hoping to get to the reunion concert next year.
Anyway, terrific album, "on the road again "...
Saw them in 68 - amazing; thanks for this reminder of misspent student years :-)
One of rocks all time great vocalists. Truly unique. Never confuse Rogers voice for anyone else.
saw them at the Queens Hall in '72, were brill. Takes me back. Bones.
Our local lads , Awsome , first big group I saw 72 🇬🇧🎶
All emotions of the time come flooding back. 😁
this really does remind me of my childhood. I was about eleven when i bought this record
I lived in the UK when this band were at the height of their musical careers. I guess they never got much play in the United States. Too bad, they were a great band.
No they didn't get to play much in the States because on their first gig at the Fillmore Chapman got into an argument with Bill Graham and told him to fuck off! Graham then told 'em they'd never work in the USA again. Graham could make getting gigs difficult, and he did! That was that.
Yay!!....flared levis and pints of Newcastle Brown....big spliffs rolled out on a double album cover! magic!
Memories, excellent.👌
So, sooo, sooooo thankful for this upload patto69 - since the 70s, have only played this in my own mind & now, thanks to you, can experience the wonderful 'Family' again xxx
Incredible voice.
This song always reminds me of Fish n' chips, ten number 6, Higsons bitter and the Five Bars Rest in Seacombe, Wirral.
Not from Seacombe but I understand the sentiment....what a band they were
This is fabulous music. Thank you.
saw these in manchester,he was spittin at everyone at the front and stamping on thier fingers and they luved it,what a voice!
Best band I ever saw ... Sheffield City Hall on their farewell tour fabulous
I was approx 13, what a sound, I remember every note! Love the organ, electric piano, fantastic...I am still 13! ;-)
Sue Thomas right !! x
I always thought they were underrated, they were a brilliant live band, much loved in their home town. They played a few gigs at the DeMontfort Hall when they toured and always sold out. And I believe they were regulars in the Spion Kop at Filbert Street.
Chappo was dynamite! Not even Joe cocker could gravel it like him.
It's a toss up!
Funnily enough, they really didn't like each other at all.... in fact, there was very nearly a punch-up around the back of The Marquee in late 1969, Stainton and Rob Townsend had to separate them.
you gotta love the Rock N' Roll Goat!
Family @ Newcastle City Hall - my first ever big band gig, almost 40 years ago now!
incredible voice
If it wasnt for my dad i've never know about this band. Awesome song
Good Man Your Dad !
One of the best and most original bands that came out of that humdrum period in British rock! (actually it wasn't that hum drum when you think of the stuff we've put up with since) Isn't music great though? no matter what you say about the looks, the music bit into your soul then and you remembered you liked it enough to visit it now. That's why it's great and thats why we visit it so often, I can still name the so called friend who borrowed this single and never gave it back.
Like a bleeting ram in the mating seson....marvellous
Jim
Gotta love Chappo-no mincing glam rock pretty boy he!
There is something great about the bass player the way he grooves along with the song. The 70's what a decade. Top band
I still have this on a 45 1971
My absolute favorite band of all time ! VERY early synth from the inimitable Poli Palmer !
Awesome. Love Ashton on keyboards 🏴
Bedsit on Cowley road Oxford. I'm back there listening to this.
What band I met Roger Chapman a couple of times With Boz Burrell on Bass RIP 👌🙋♂️
Riminds me of Great Yarmouth summer 1971 with a girl from Kettering.
love family
RIP John Wetton :-(
Bandstand outstanding Chapman 🎸
Roger's got his nutty vibrato under control here. It works quite well with this song.
either one, "No mules fool" is a great one.
Brilliant song
IA's favourite band - is that so? The two greatest bands ever, Tull and Family in my opinion. I never knew that... always knew Anderson was a right thinking man, though!
Family was the first real band I saw, at Leeds Town Hall and the PA collapsed during My Friend the Sun. Chappo praying to the heavens until it fizzed back into life. Great days.
@sillysid1967 I couldn't agree more. I first saw them at Woburn Abbey in 68 and they completely blew me away. I finished up seeing them ten times! I was a fanatic. I think they were at their best at the beginning, when Jim King was with them. Those were the days.
you probably saw my dad play as drummer then? Do you have any photos I'd love to see?
My all time favourite band. 👍👍
Gonna see Chappo again in May. Man's a legend.
Hands down, the most inventive pop song of the 70's. NOT JUST because of the song, the players, the use of double neck electric guitar and VIBRAPHONE (!!!), but also lyrically ... oh yeah, and the best singer of his type ... just FABU-F'in-LOUS! Who was the creative recording genius behind FAMILY?
Anyone know?
RTQ
Fantastic song and awesome voice, but does put me in mind of Japeth the Singing Goat from Hoodwinked.
Saw these guys at the Electric Gardens in Glasgow about 1969.
Didn't appreciate how good they were at the time.
Thought Roger Chapman was a nutter, throwing the mike all over the place.
Great night! (I think).
Thanks. Great stuff, 'Chappo' in top form. Hopefully there's some more footage from this criminally underrated band around, should be a clip of 'Dim' around.
Ahh The Farinas, one of Leicester's finest bands, I think I saw their first gig as the Family.
Bloody marvellous
what a trak! best leicester band ever!
i was crashing in a tent in St Ives when I first heard this - still sounds great - thanks for posting
awesome band all their great tracks are available on double cd
simply wonderful
Oh, what memories
Hey DNGBT, I think the flip side was "No Mules Fool" a rather catchy little number. Or maybe that was the flip side of the Weavers Answer, can't remember for sure. Wow that seems so long ago and it's great to hear these again. So much nostalgia! I was about 17 years old at the time and we used to hang out, drink beer and listen to this band. Thanks for posting this gem on youtube.
hate to reply to myself, but thanks to the people who posted "No mule's fool".
I really missed that one.
I bought the single as a kid!
This was the First Record which held Real Mystery for me.Know what I mean?It was ,and still is...STUNNING
It's rather comforting how ugly bands were back in the day when talent was all that mattered rather than how today when everything is about image, what a majestic voice Mr Chapman has.
Great - the best band ever?
Great!!!
Seen them at plymouth guildhall in the 70s think roger got through a bottle of whiskey during that gig
Another great Leicester product
Always made the pilgrimage to DeMont when they played. Truly an amazing live band.
The two superb "Rogers" - chapman on vocals, and Palmer on keyboards, how many rock bands can you name with a xylophone.
Actually a set of vibes.
I looked after Poli when he was in The Shortlist with Roger back in the 80s. At that time he was playing a Simmons Silicon Mallett, which is a set of midi electronic vibes which he connected to a Yamaha YX81Z Synth module.
A great player and a lovely bloke.
yes that could explain it .( the merriment) they were on the old grey whistle test about the same time.excellent performance,but i,m afraid i,ve forgotten the content.
Seen them in Leicester with my great friend Jonah
Most excellent
as good a band live as I ever saw , chappo was great .
How could you not like this fking song!!!.
The 1st record I bought and I'm glad I did