Ten Years After - A Space in Time
On this weeks episode, we dive deep into the history of British rock legends Ten Years After and discuss their iconic 1971 album "A Space In Time." Their first record for new label Columbia showcased a notable shift towards a more acoustic and melodic direction compared to their previous works. Alvin Lee, widely regarded as the Flash Gordon of guitar, delivered some of his most memorable guitar licks throughout the record. This collection also includes the instantly recognizable number, "I'd Love To Change The World."
No Recommendation this episode.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
Along with blues and jazz, a young Alvin Lee was inspired by the advent of rock and roll, especially guitarists like Chuck Berry and Scotty Moore.
Alvin Lee’s first successful band was Ivan Jay and the Jayhawks.
The band consisted of Ivan Jay (vocals), Alvin Lee (lead guitar), Ray Cooper (rhythm guitar), Leo Lyons (bass) and David Quickmire (drums).
In 1962 Ivan Jay left so Alvin Lee assumed vocal duties. Rhythm guitarist Ray Cooper also left and the band continued to perform as a trio renamed the Jaybirds. Like some other British bands at the time (most famously the Beatles) the Jaybirds found steady employment on the Continent performing at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany.
The band adds keyboardist Chick Churchill. Using names like Blues Trip and Blues Yard,
they gig around London focusing on playing rock infused blues. They eventually settled on the name Ten Years After. Alvin Lee idolized Elvis Presley and according to him, the name was chosen to honor the10th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s commercial breakout year: 1956.
In August,1967, Ten Years After played the National Jazz & Blues Festival held at Windsor Racecourse west of London with several other now legendary bands.
Their performance made a splash and the band attracted the attention of a Chris Wright )(later of Chrysalis, who became there manager. Wright got the group a deal with Deram Records, a subsidiary of the British Decca label.
Here is Alvin Lee performing at the 1969 Newport Jazz Festival.
That year marks the the first time the festival invited rock artists to perform. On the bill with Ten Years After is the Jeff Beck Group, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa, and Led Zeppelin.
In July 1969, Ten Years After plays the Singer Bowl Music Festival. The show ends with an all-start rendition of “Jail House Rock” that includes Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Robert Plant, John Bohnam, and members of Jethro Tull. Things got a wee bit rowdy and Bonham started tearing his clothes off. He was carried offstage before he could get past his underwear and possibly arrested.
In August, the band played Woodstock. While plagued with technical difficulties due to a recent rain storm, the band finally found their groove.They closed out the set with “I’m Going Home.” Alvin Lee burned up the fret board for ten minutes and the crowd went absolutely nuts. It is considered a highlight of both the film and the soundtrack of the festival. It would become a career defining moment for the band, propelling to international stardom after the movie is released.
In 1971, the band switched record labels and signed with Columbia Records. After signing them, Columbia president Clive Davis promises the band that he would get them their first gold record. But to do that, he told them they needed a hit single.
He was true to his word. Their first release for the label is A Space in Time which contained their biggest hit “I’d Love to Change the World.”
