To try and move away from the overexposed poppy image of The Onyx the band decided to release their next single under the name Salamander (a name selected by Guy & Doug), and hoped that the public would not know this was the same band they were hearing all the time on the radio, although they continued to gig under the Onyx name. “Crystal Ball/Billy” [CBS 5102] came out in July 1970 and despite some airplay, particularly in Europe, once again failed to give the band the break they were looking for.
This would be the bands last release under the CBS contract and also the last recording with the Fletcher/Flett writing team. The collaboration had lasted nearly three years and produced some of the finest harmony led psychedelic pop of the late 60s. Guy and Doug had written solely with The Onyx in mind, which included a number of songs that would not get released such as “All Fall Down” and “Ice”. However the relationship had run its course and in late 1970 the band split with Guy and Doug.
After the departure of Guy and Doug, Bob Potter introduced the band to Jerry Lordan. Jerry recorded a few minor singles at the start of the 60s, but received his big break when he started writing for other artists, including Apache which would score The Shadows a monster hit.
Under the guidance of Jerry the band began recording at George Martin’s Air Studios on the top floor of his Oxford Street offices. The first result of this collaboration would be “Our House/Air” (Parlophone R5888), released in February 1971. The Parlophone deal coming about through Jerry’s connections at Air Studios and his friendship with songwriters Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook.
The resulting single was the first not to feature material purposely written for the band. The A-Side, a cover of CSNY hippie anthem, was a perfect vehicle for the bands finely crafted harmonies and was one of the strongest songs in their live repertoire. It also featured fine strings from renowned composer Chris Gunning and a 60 strong orchestra. Supposedly the single even received some positive feedback from Graham Nash at the time.
The flip side, Air, was a superb band composition named after the studio it was recorded in. Not strictly an instrumental as it features harmonies from the band, it features some blistering guitar work from Alan Hodge and the band’s funkiest moment.
Just prior the release of the single the band were hit with a severe blow when, after a punishing schedule of recording and gigs, with that elusive break always just out of reach, guitarist Alan decided to throw in the towel. He was keen to return to Cornwall and in late 1970 quit the band and returned home. This came quite out of the blue. Alan’s input into the band had proved invaluable over the years. As well as his abilities as a guitar player he also had a natural ability to arrange the complex five part harmonies, which were so distinctive to the bands sound. On top of this they had become a close knit family, having done a lot of their growing up together on the road in the confines of a tour bus.
Despite Alan’s departure the promotion of the new single continued. It received a release in Spain (Belter 07-955). A number of ‘non-hits’ crop on this Spanish label. Its unclear how this came about, and the band did no promotional work in the country to plug it. Alan is clearly missing from the picture sleeve (as he also is on the UK promotional adverts).
In retrospect releasing a cover of such a hugely popular number only six months after CSNY had a hit with their own version was probably partly why so few people purchased the Onyx single, and so once again the band failed to score the break through single they had son long desired. Unabated they continued their extensive gigging schedule and continued to feature heavily on BBC Radio.
The band quickly regrouped and placed an advert in the music press for a replacement. After auditions Bernie Lee was selected as Alan’s replacement. Bernie’s had impeccable brit-psych credentials, having previously played with Paper Blitz Tissue, Orange Bicycle and Cupid’s Inspiration. The band still had a busy schedule of gigs to fulfil and hit the road, with the new guitarist having to quickly learn the ropes.
With Bernie in place the new line-up once again entered Air Studio to record the follow up to “Our
House”. “The Next Stop Is Mine/What’s That You Say” (Parlophone R5906) was released in May
1971. With no band written material ready after the departure of Alan, the top side, a brassy upbeat
number was penned by Jerry along with Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook. The two Roger’s had
previously been part of The Kestrels, who scored a number of hits in the mid-60s with their own
brand of pleasant pop, as well as performing as David & Jonathon. They would later go on to pen
the monstrosity that is ‘I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing”.
The B-side ‘What’s That You Say’ saw the band at perhaps their subdued. Once again the band were presented with songwriter penned material. This time by famed American duo Stephen Schlaks and Charlie Weiss. Schlacks had previously written “Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night”, which has been covered by a plethora of artists over the years.
Once again success eluded them as the single failed to take off. It would become the final release by the band under the Onyx moniker, although they would continue their busy touring schedule. |
