Climax Blues Band

Led by Colin Cooper, the former frontman of the R&B group the Hipster Image, the Climax Chicago Blues Band from Stafford, England, emerged as a leading force in the late '60s blues scene. The sextet, featuring guitarists Derek Holt and Peter Haycock, keyboardist Arthur Wood, bassist Richard Jones, and drummer George Newsome, debuted in 1969 with a self-titled album reminiscent of John Mayall's work. The band shifted to a more rock-oriented sound after moving to the Harvest label in 1970, releasing albums like A Lot of Bottle and Tightly Knit. As their lineup evolved and their sound adapted, they found commercial success with albums like Stamp and Gold Plated in the mid-'70s, propelled by hits like "Couldn't Get It Right."

Despite their prolific recording output into the '80s, the rise of punk in the late '70s halted the Climax Blues Band's momentum. The group, now a quartet and dropping the "Chicago" from their name to avoid confusion, faced challenges but continued to release music, with FM Live capturing a New York radio performance in 1974. Following a period of silence after 1988's Drastic Steps, the band returned in 1994 with Blues from the Attic. Their journey, marked by lineup changes and musical shifts, showcases their resilience and enduring presence in the blues and rock music landscape.