Keef Hartley himself wasn't your average drummer, he'd carved his name into the rock 'n' roll history books, having been in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and replacing Ringo, in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes when he joined the Beatles
But Keef had his own vision. He wasn't content just keeping time for someone else. In '68, he decided to form his own band, following, in that respect, the contemporary drummer, Aynsley Dunbar. And so, the Keef Hartley Band was born. This was raw, gutsy blues-rock, often with a jazzy edge thrown in. Heavy riffs colliding with intricate drum patterns and soulful vocals.
Their debut album, *Halfbreed*, landed in '69. The title itself reflected Hartley's Romany heritage. It was a powerful debut, showcasing their tight musicianship and Hartley's unmistakable driving force. Tracks like "Sinnin' for You" and "Leavin' Trunk" were proper stompers.
Then came *With a Little Help from My Friends*. You might recognize that title. But Hartley's take was a whole different beast – an instrumental, psychedelic workout that stretched out over an entire side of the LP. It was ambitious, it was bold, and it showed they weren't afraid to push the boundaries. It sounds so radical, even now.
The band toured hard, building a solid following on the live circuit. They were a force to be reckoned with on stage, with Hartley's energetic drumming anchoring their powerful sound. They even played Woodstock in '69, though their performance wasn't included in the original film or soundtrack. The only performer that happened to.
They released a few more albums – The Battle of North West Six, Seventy-Second Brave, The Time Is Now #41 UK and Lancashire Hustler – each with their own flavour, exploring different vibes while always keeping that bluesy core intact, with excellent players like Miller Anderson, future Uriah Heep man, soon to be electrocuted on stage, Gary Thain and Henry Lowther, trumpeter session guy.
But like so many bands of that era, the Keef Hartley Band eventually ran out of steam. The musical landscape was shifting, tastes were changing, and perhaps they never quite managed to break into the mainstream in a big way. By the mid-70s, the original lineup had largely dissolved.
Keef Hartley himself continued to play and record in various projects, but the magic of that original band, that raw energy and that unique blend of blues, rock, and jazz, was something special to the late 60s and early 70s. They might not be a household name these days, but for those who dig a bit deeper into the British blues-rock scene, the Keef Hartley Band were a proper force.
Digging deep into the British blues-rock scene...
