Links to Artists Featured in Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Roll

Web pages devoted to even the most arcane music artists are sprouting all the time. Thus this can't purport to be a definitive list of every page that might have been devised for the 60 artists in the book, but it's a start. If there are other pages related to artists in the book that could be listed here, you can email the author with the relevant info.

Also note that some of the most "popular" artists covered in Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Rollhave not one but several Internet fan sites, with more no doubt on the way. That's not a surprise with Syd Barrett, say, but if and when some of these cult icons catch on in a big way, you can expect more such pages to mushroom. Even in the years since Unknown Legends'release, for instance, Nick Drake's following has multiplied several times over, due to his music's use in television commercials, of all things. Of course, these web sites often duplicate each other's information, discographies, news updates, etc.

So in cases where there are numerous web sites for the same artist, I've usually limited myself to listing one or two. These will almost always have links to other sites, and with a little time and navigation, you should be able to find almost anything on the Internet that's specifically devoted to the artist in question.

Syd Barrett: Where to start with the mad genius who probably has a bigger following than any other cult rock musician? Try Magnesium Proverbs. Many many articles, sounds, photos, links, and so on.

Graham Bond: Bio, discography, photos, articles, and interviews with Dick Heckstall-Smith on a new site devoted to the British blues-jazz-rock pioneer.

Can: The website of Can's Holger Czukay has info and updates about both his solo projects and his band, Can.

Kevin Coyne: The singer-songwriter's home page as bio, thorough discography, and news, as well as images representing his work as an artist, and excerpts from his work as a writer. Pascal's Kevin Coyne Page features an amazingly comprehensive official and non-official discography, including, amazingly, a few dozen bootlegs; it's also a place to trade Coyne rarities with fellow fans, while The Kevin Coyne Group is an online discussion group devoted to the performer.

Crass: The official site is principally devoted to a discography and basic bio. For something a little heftier, go to Penny Rimbaud and G. Sus interviews on the Perfect Sound Forever page. These are the lengthy transcripts of the actual interviews they gave in 1996 for the chapter written about them in Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Roll. The Pomona Press website has information on their 2004 book "Love Songs."

Sandy Denny: Basic biographical and discographical information on Britain's greatest folk-rock singer. Also good is this Sandy Denny memorial site (actually a part of the larger English Folk Music site), which has a bio, bibliography, database of Denny's records and songs, guide to cover versions, and more.

The Deviants: The home page of Deviants leader Mick Farren has details on his ongoing writing, recording, and performing projects, as well as some excerpts of his writing and a link to a different Mick Farren fan page.

Nick Drake: The Nick Drake Homepage has almost all of the information you'll need to guide yourself around his discography, lyrics, and the available literature.

Roky Erickson: There's not much more here than a discography, but there are links to other sites with Roky info, including a page for his first band, the 13th Floor Elevators.

Merrell Fankhauser: Run by the artist himself, with a bio, pix, catalog, an interview, and links to his primary reissue label, Sundazed. You can e-mail Merrell himself from here, and if you buy albums from him directly, he'll be glad to autograph them.

The Hampton Grease Band: The home page of guitarist Glenn Phillips has a section for his old group the Hampton Grease Band, with a history written by Glenn himself. The site also keeps you up-to-date on Phillips' more recent solo projects, and has a long interview (from Goldmine) with Glenn.

Francoise Hardy: Updated bimonthly, this site for everyone's favorite French pop-rock fox has biographical material (mostly collected from French sources), reviews and samples of her records and CDs, images and facts about her acting career, and photos. There's also a link to a frighteningly exhaustive discography. You want fanatical? There's a Quicktime video of her brief appearance in "What's New Pussycat?" From the same site that brings you much of the same about another cult legend, Lee Hazlewood (see below). Warren Gilbert's Francoise Hardy fan page is also useful and directs you to the transcript of an actual recent interview with the singer, though the text is entirely in French. And lastly, in September 2000 Virgin Records launched an Official Francoise Hardy website  at www.francoise-hardy.com. Very snazzy looking, bilingual, and, alas, not too much actual information, although there's a 1960s video clip (incomplete) of her miming "Mon Amie La Rose" if you click enough buttons. There's also actually a place for emailing the goddess herself if you want to give it a try. Tell her you found about her through Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Roll, if enough fans do so maybe she'll consent to an actual interview when it comes time for the next edition.

Lee Hazlewood: An overdue Hazlewood fan site that has a deep well of information on a man whose body of work has been so sprawling and oft-obscure that it's been difficult to sort through the jungle. These pages do much to untangle the confusion, particularly in the extremely comprehensive discographical information, including solo recordings and Hazlewood productions. There's also an extremely detailed general history of his career, info on his television appearances and concerts, reproductions of album and single sleeves, and lists of magazine and newspaper articles.

Judy Henske & Jerry Yester: A Judy Henske fan page has a discography, articles, mailing list, and audio clips, including an early-'60s one of "House of the Rising Sun" from a rare compilation LP. You can find out about and order Henske's new CD on her own home page, www.judyhenske.com.

Holy Modal Rounders: Just a basic bio and discography here, with a pointer to a Holy Modal Rounders newsgroup. You can also link from here to the modest home page of Holy Modal Rounder Peter Stampfel, with updates on his latest activities and recordings.

Penelope Houston: Well-maintained official website with news of her latest tours, gigs, and releases, with lyrics and bio.

Wanda Jackson: The rockabilly singer's website has her bio, discography, merchandise, and current tour news.

John's Children: Comprehensive site with band story, discography, CD reissue reviews, interviews with band members, and links to other top 1960s rock sites.

Love: Strange, isn't it, that one of the most esteemed cult rock bands of all time doesn't have a top-notch web site. This page, though, does have a discography (including bootlegs), news updates, cover versions, and most importantly, links to some other pages with Love info. Among the more interesting of those are the web sites for Love leader Arthur Lee, secondary Love singer-songwriter Bryan MacLean, and Love drummer Michael Stuart.

The Misunderstood: Free downloads, lots of links to quotes and info about the group, and overviews of the music from this '60s psychedelic band that's available on reissue.

The Monks: History, pictures, an Eddie Shaw interview from the Ptolemaic Terrascope magazine, recollections from the group members, a message board, and an excerpt from Eddie Shaw's autobiography. Some may think it's amazing a Monks page exists at all, but not only is it there, it's better than many a major label-sponsored site for bigger bands.

The Music Machine: The home page of Sean Bonniwell, leader of the Music Machine. History, photos, information on his autobiography and currently available reissues.

Martin Newell: News, song snippets, links to related projects (such as Newell's poetry books), and a detailed discography, which you'll need if you're serious about tracking Newell's music down, so involved and complicated is his catalog. The Official Martin Newell site concentrates on current activities and basic summaries of his projects; Newell can be e-mailed through this page.

The Outsiders: The finest '60s band from a non-English-speaking territory (in this case, Holland) gets paid tribute by the Touch Home Page, which includes the full transcript of the interview I did for the book with lead singer Wally Tax.

The Raincoats: Here's a page devoted to mysterious original Raincoats drummer Palmolive, featuring a lengthy interview with her.

The Red Krayola: In addition to thorough record listings, the Mayo Thompson/Red Krayola Discography has links to a bunch of pages with Red Krayola articles, interviews, reviews, bulletin boards, etc.

The Remains: A basic page with info on reissues and live reunion dates.

Rocket from the Tombs: Our pals at Perfect Sound Forever come through again with an article on this barely-recorded band, especially useful for a discography that even includes cover versions.

The Rutles: Band history, trivia, lyrics, and pictures. While you're at it, you can look at the very in-depth site for head Rutle Neil Innes , which has links to pages covering his other projects, including his 1960s group the Bonzo Dog Band , featured in Urban Spacemen & Wayfaring Strangers, the sequel to Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Roll.

Savage Republic: Band history, discography, and news about their reissues, side projects, and recent reunion.

The Savage Rose: News, history, discography, links, reviews, articles, and bios.

Screaming Lord Sutch: There isn't much on this page besides some tributes, but it does have many links to other pieces of information about the singer and head of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party throughout the Internet.

Swamp Dogg: The official Swamp Dogg page is mostly geared toward selling his CDs, but you can find out about his latest touring activities and recording projects here, and also read a few articles penned by the singer himself.

Robert Wyatt: Discography, lyrics, interview transcript, and links, including some to pages that cover the entire Canterbury art-rock scene from which Wyatt and the Soft Machine emerged.

X-Ray Spex: The X-Ray Spex fan page has a bio, lyrics, and new release info.

Young Marble Giants: The Young Marble Giants archive Cardiffians has FAQs, discography, message board, links, and even some setlists.

Eurobeat: The home page of Ugly Things magazine gives you the lowdown on the periodical that gives more coverage to 1960s Eurobeat than any other publication. Back issues with articles on Eurobeat performers may be available.

Flying Nun Records: The home page of the New Zealand label has plenty of info about their extensive catalog, reaching back to the early 1980s, and including work by one of the artists profiled in Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Roll, Chris Knox.

Idiot Savants: Irwin Chusid's book Songs in the Key of Z: The Curious Universe of Outsider Music is highly recommended for those who want to find out more about artists covered in the "Idiots Savants" sidebar of Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Roll. Irwin's site tells you all about his book, which has chapters on outsider faves such as Jandek, the Shaggs, and Wildman Fischer, as well as ones that are more in the rock mainstream (Captain Beefheart, Syd Barrett) and others that are unknown to almost anyone. The site also has links to articles about outsider music, a mailing list, an audio interview with Chusid, and odd extras like Lester Bangs' review of the Shaggs in the Village Voice.

Krautrock: Covers, as the home page proclaims, "a genre of electronic, psychedelic, progressive, and/or avant-garde music originating from West Germany in the late 1960s and 1970s, often using electric guitars, primitive synthesizers, and pre-recorded audiotape to create sonic, droning landscapes."  Lots of record reviews, articles, interviews, and links of interest to Krautrock fans.

60sgaragebands.com: News and information about '60s garage bands, including three interviews per month with former members, covering both groups that had hits and more obscure ones that never broke out of their region or town.

And some general resources...

All Music Guide: The world's largest on-line database of record reviews and artist biographies, including many bios and reviews by this author. Many of them are also in the 1400-page book the All Music Guide to Rock (Backbeat).

Perfect Sound Forever: There are plugs for PSF throughout my site, so I'll just note again that this has dozens of well-done, in-depth interviews and features with cult musicians of all styles and eras, presented with more intelligence than anywhere else on the Internet.

The Acid Archives: Thousands of reviews of obscure North American psychedelic, garage, and folk-rock-related albums from the 1960s and 1970s (also available in book form). Its parent site, Lysergia, has additional information about psychedelic rock and interviews with psychedelic rock musicians.
 

contents copyright Richie Unterberger , 2000-2010
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