Widowmaker were a Britishhard rock band[1] and active from 1975 to 1977. They were considered by many to be a supergroup and released two albums. Although their influences appeared to offer vast creative possibilities, musical and personality differences led to their break-up.[2] The legacy of Widowmaker is captured on the compilation Straight Faced Fighters (2002) released by Castle; it includes tracks from both of their albums.[3]
A few months after they began rehearsing at Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Manticore Studios in London, Don Arden, the owner of Jet Records signed them.[4] A single release "On the Road" followed in February 1976 and their debut album Widowmaker was released in the same year.[4] The line-up for Widowmaker was augmented in the studio by vocalist and guitarist Bobby Tench from Streetwalkers and Hammond player Zoot Money. Widowmaker reached #196 in US and featured an eclectic mix of blues, country, folk, and hard rock.[5]
Ellis left the band after a tour of North America with Electric Light Orchestra and was replaced by vocalist John Butler and the band recorded their second album Too Late to Cry.[4] Daisley joined Rainbow and Widowmaker broke up after the release of Too Late to Cry (February 1977).[4]
"On the Road"/"Pin a Rose on Me", Jet JET 766 (1976)
"When I Met You"/"Pin a Rose on Me", Jet JET 767 (1976)
"Pin a Rose on Me"/"On the Road", Jet JET 782 (1976) – UK No.53[A]
Notes
^Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".
References
^Colin Larkin. The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music: Threepenny Opera to ZZ Top. Volume 6. Guinness Publications (1995). p. 4470. ISBN978-0-85112-662-3.
^ abcdeJoynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras. Borderline. p. 928. ISBN1-899855-15-7.