Stone the Crows | Artist
Band member Les Harvey died in 1972 at the age of 27, tragically joining that illustrious group of brilliant yet ill-fated artists known as the "27 Club"
Stone the Crows were a Scottish blues rock band formed 1969 in Glasgow by Maggie Bell (vocals), Colin Allen (drums), John McGinnis (keyboards), James Dewar (bass), and Leslie Harvey (guitar). McGinnis and Dewar left the band in 1971 and were replaced by Ronnie Leahy and Steve Thompson. Guitarist and co-founder Les Harvey was electrocuted onstage at Swansea's Top Rank Suite in May 1972. He was replaced by ex-Thunderclap Newman guitarist Jimmy McCulloch. The band were formed after Maggie Bell was introduced to Les Harvey by his elder brother Alex Harvey, frontman of the Alex Harvey Band. After playing together in the Kinning Park Ramblers, their next band Power was renamed Stone the Crows (after a British/Australian English term for surprise or shock) by Led Zeppelin's manager, Peter Grant. The band was co-managed by Grant and Mark London. London had also managed the predecessor band Cartoone which featured Les Harvey on guitar. Only together for four short years, Stone the Crows recorded four fine studio albums and achieved a degree of mainstream success, due to their excellent musicianship and the charismatic front-woman Maggie Bell. Standout albums include Stone the Crows (1970), Ode to John Law (1970), Teenage Licks (1971), and Ontinuous Performance (1972). Also recommended is the excellent compilation Stone the Crows Featuring Maggie Bell from 1973. Sadly, the band will always be remembered for the onstage electrocution of guitarist and founding member Les Harvey. Whilst playing at Swansea's Top Rank Suite in May 1972, wires to the group's equipment were reportedly damaged by the audience and although the road crew attempted to repair the damage, they overlooked a loose ground wire. Harvey received a jolt of electricity as he reached for a microphone while his fingers touched the metal strings on his guitar. His body reportedly flew into the air and came to rest with his guitar in contact with the microphone stand. Bandmates who tried to rescue him reportedly got shocked themselves and it wasn't until someone kicked his guitar away that medical personnel were able to render aid. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Stone the Crows ultimately broke up in June 1973, and Peter Grant continued to manage Maggie Bell's career. Guided by Grant, Bell subsequently recorded two solo albums, Queen of the Night (1974) and Suicide Sal (1975). Bell is also known for her session work on Rod Stewart's album Every Picture Tells a Story (1971), in particular her co-lead vocal with Stewart on the album's title track. Legend has it that after Harvey's death, the band originally contacted Fleetwood Mac leader Peter Green to replace Harvey. The band rehearsed with Green for six weeks to prepare for an upcoming music festival but Green pulled out two days before the event. Jimmy McCulloch joined instead and he went on to join Paul McCartney's group Wings when Stone the Crows folded.
Artist Website: wikipedia/Stone_the_Crows
Featured Albums: Stone the Crows
Related Artists: Maggie Bell, Les Harvey, Jimmy McCulloch, Alex Harvey
Collections: 27 Forever
