Hatfield And The North

The whimsical progressive rock group Hatfield and the North emerged from the Canterbury, England musical scene that also launched Gong and Kevin Ayers’ the Whole World. The group was named after a motorway sign in London. Its founding members included a number of prominent figures from the Canterbury art rock scene: Richard Sinclair, guitarist Phil Miller, and Pip Pyle, drummer with Delivery and Gong. After several lineup shuffles, Dave Stewart, an Egg alumnus, was hired to complete the roster. He also joined the Northettes, a trio consisting of Ann Rosenthal, Amanda Parsons and Barbara Gaskin. Hatfield and the North recorded the self-titled debut album, which was a jazzy mix of melodic pop and avant-garde. At the end of 1974, a single, “Let’s Eat (Real Soon”)” was released. However, the group resurfaced in 1975 with The Rotters’ Club. Although the record reached the U.K. charts briefly, Hatfield and North were soon disbanded. Sinclair joined Camel soon afterward, and Stewart recorded with Bill Bruford. In 1981, Stewart had pop success with an ex-Zombie Colin Blunstone performing a cover of “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted?” by Jimmy Ruffin. Stewart continued to sing pop in a duo with Barbara Gaskin (ex-Northette), and released a cover of “It’s My Party”, which was a hit in the U.K. in September 1981. Stewart

Leave a Comment