Award winning singer/songwriter Herbie Armstrong

I now own a Rock and Roll bar in Rowlands castle, England, where Music is played 4 nights a week. I am looking to go into Management of Music, as there is lots of budding young Talent in the musicians that play in my bar. Biography Bands/Discography: The Manhattan Showband Brian Rossi & The Golden Eagles Wheels The James Brothers Screamin' Lord Sutch Band Demick & Armstrong Little Willie Ramble (1971, MAM) Looking through (1972, A&M) Fox Fox (May 75, GTO) Tails of illusion (1975, GTO) Blue hotel (1977, GTO) The very best of Fox (, Hit) (compilation) Yellow Dog Yellow dog (1977, Virgin) Beware of the dog (1978, Virgin) Strangers in paradise (1981, Escape) Van Morrison o several lineups: Wavelength (Sep 78, Warner) Into the music (Aug 79, Common one (Aug 80, Beautiful vision (Feb 82, The philosopher's stone (Jun 98, ) (2CD, compilation of unreleased tracks) Herbie Armstrong And The River Solo albums: single 'Real real gone' (1980, Avatar) Back against the wall (1983, MMC) single 'Here comes the night' (1986) Leather boots (1992) (EP, Charming) Herbie Armstrong (, EMI)

THE MANHATTAN SHOWBAND

Herbie's first steps in music are closely related to Van Morrison one of Herbies best friends, and this was true for many years later too. This showband included both musicians in the lineup around 1964: This band was formed in the 60s in Belfast: Van Morrison (vocals, sax, harmonica) Herbie Armstrong (guitar) Geordie Sproule () Billy McAllen () + others unknown to me.

BRIAN ROSSI & THE GOLDEN EAGLES

That same year (1964), Van & Herbie form a new band with keyboardist Brian Rossi: Van Morrison (vocals, sax, harmonica) Herbie Armstrong (guitar) Brian Rossi (keyboards) Tito Tinsley (bass) + others unknown to me Again, it was a short-lived band. Van Morrison left to form Them, and asked Herbie to go with him, with Herbie stayed instead. But, not long after, a new band was formed from here.

WHEELS

This band was formed in Belfast, from the ashes of The Golden Eagles, when Rod Demick joined forces: Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals) Rod Demick (vocals, guitar, harmonica) Tito Tinsley (bass) Brian Rossi (keyboards) Victor Catling (drums) They released three singles in the 1965-1966 period. For some time, they changed their name to Wheels-A-Way. When the group disbanded, Demick & Armstrong formed a duo, under that name, or using another one: The James Brothers.

THE JAMES BROTHERS

Not such brothers, but good friends Herbie & Rod: Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals) Rod Demick () They released a couple of singles in 1968 for the Page One label. Then, they became the backup band for legendary Screamin' Lord Sutch.

SCREAMIN' LORD SUTCH

They played with Sutch for six months, before resuming their duo career. Motorheads Lemy used to go and watch Herbie play in this band when he was only 17 years old.

DEMICK & ARMSTRONG

Here we have them alone again: Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals) Rod Demick (bass, vocals) They released two albums: Little Willie Ramble was issued in 1971, with Gordon Smith (vocals, guitar), David Watkins (keyboards), Tony Knight (drums), plus vocals by Kay Garner, Sue Glover, Sunny Leslie and Alice Pepper. Looking through in 1972, with Gordon Smith (vocals, guitar), and Henry Spinetti (drums). In 1973, each one developed his own career.

FOX (Noosha Fox)

This band was formed by great musicians around 1974, assembled with a special vocalist with a powerful look. Noosha Fox (vocals) Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals) Kenny Young (guitar, vocals) Jim Gannon (guitar) Gary Taylor (bass) Pete Solley (keyboards) Jim Frank (drums) Their first album was called Fox. Recorded with help from BJ Cole (pedal steel guitar), Dean Parks (guitar), Leland Sklar (bass), Jim Horn (horns), Russ Kunkel (drums), Chris Gunning (strings). Roger Taylor (drummer for Queen) sings backing vocals in a track of their 2nd album, Tails of illusion. Their 3rd album was Blue hotel, recorded with external contributions: Andy Roberts (guitar, banjo, mandolin), Bud Beadle (sax), Jay Gurden (guitar), Ann Odell (keyboards), John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (keyboards), Glen LeFleur (drums), Martin David (drums, percussion). Their main visual impact was Noosha, but she left the group in 1977, starting her solo career. Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals) Kenny Young (guitar, vocals) Jim Gannon (guitar) Gary Taylor (bass) Pete Solley (keyboards) Jim Frank (drums) but soon Kenny and Herbie started their own project.

YELLOW DOG

This was next musical venture by Herbie Armstrong and Kenny Young, with some of their mates from Fox, plus the great Andy Roberts: Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals) Kenny Young (guitar, vocals) Andy Roberts (guitar, vocals) Jim Gannon (guitar) Rod Demick (bass, vocals) Gary Taylor (bass) Gerry Conway (drums) Their first, self-titled album, Yellow Dog, was produced by Kenny Young. Also with Gordon Smith (guitar), Phil Becque (bass), Pete Solley (keyboards), Jim Horn (horns), Johnny Van Derrick (violin), Glenn LeFleur (drums), Richard Bailey (drums). Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals) Kenny Young (guitar, vocals) Rod Demick (bass, vocals) Their 2nd album, called Beware of the dog, shows a quartet in the cover. It was recorded with help from many people: Phil Palmer (guitar), Micky Feat (bass), Mo Foster (bass), Jack Hall (bass), Peter Bardens (keyboards), Pete Solley (keyboards), Jim Hall (sax), Peter Van Hooke (drums), Paul Atkinson (drums), TK (drums - who is it?), Neville Roberts (reggae box), Simon Phillips (percussion), Jack Spence (percussion). Strangers in paradise was recorded with Phil Palmer (guitar), Phil McWalters (guitar), Phil Becque (bass), Kevin Llewellyn (bass), Mark Yates (bass), Chris Parren (keyboards), Nick Glennie Smith (keyboards), Mark Steeds (keyboards), Peter Van Hooke (drums), Ricky Medlocke (drums), Mush Chimes (drums), Chris Warwick (percussion).

VAN MORRISON BAND

Around July 1978, this was Van Morrison's live band: Van Morrison (vocals,guitar,keyboards,sax) Bob Tench (guitar) Herbie Armstrong (guitar) Peter Bardens (keyboards) Micky Feat (bass) Peter Van Hooke (drums) They record a new album, Wavelength. With help from Garth Hudson (from The Band, who were friends of Van Morrison), Mitch Dalton (guitar) and backing vocals Laura Creamer, Linda Dillard and Ginger Blake. They augment the backing vocals section for live concerts: Van Morrison (vocals,guitar,keyboards,sax) Bob Tench (guitar) Herbie Armstrong (guitar) Peter Bardens (keyboards) Micky Feat (bass) Katie Kissoon (vocals) Anne Peacock (vocals) Peter Van Hooke (drums) Vocalist Linda Dillard was also in the lineup for some time, around 1978. In September 1979, the band had lost keyboardist Peter Bardens (ex-Camel): Van Morrison (vocals,guitar,keyboards,sax) Bob Tench (guitar) Herbie Armstrong (guitar) John Allair (keyboards) Micky Feat (bass) Katie Kissoon (vocals) Anne Peacock (vocals) Peter Van Hooke (drums) A later lineup was: Van Morrison (vocals, guitar,keyboards,sax) Bob Tench (guitar) Herbie Armstrong (guitar) John Altman (sax) Katie Kissoon (backing vocals) David Hayes (bass) Peter Van Hooke (drums) There is an official release of a live video from Wavelength tour, called "Live in Ireland". Warner Bros issued a promotion demo LP in 1978, Live at the Roxy, later put out on general release in 1989 on the Seagull label. In 1979, Bobby Tench left the band, and a major reformation was made: Van Morrison (vocals, guitar,keyboards,sax) John Platania (guitar) Herbie Armstrong (guitar) David Hayes (bass) Pete Wingfield (keyboards) John Allair (keyboards) Toni Marcus (violin) Pee Wee Ellis (sax) Mark Isham (trumpet) Peter Van Hooke (drums) This was the lineup in May 1981: Van Morrison (vocals, guitar,keyboards,sax) Mick Cox (guitar) Herbie Armstrong (guitar) David Hayes (bass) John Allair (keyboards) Pee Wee Ellis (sax) Mark Isham (trumpet) Peter Van Hooke (drums) Next to leave was Herbie, who left Van's company around 1981. He still appeared in some more albums: Into the music was recorded with his band: Herbie Armstrong (guitar), David Hayes (bass), Mark Isham (keyboards), Pee Wee Ellis (sax), Katie Kissoon (vocals), Tony Marcus (violin), Pete Van Hooke (drums). Plus contributions by Ry Cooder (guitar), Zakir Hussain (tabla), Mark Jordan (keyboards), Kurt Workman (drums), and Robin Williamson & His Merry Band (whistle). The beautiful Common one was recorded in February 1980, with his band: Herbie Armstrong (guitar), Mick Cox (guitar), David Hayes (bass), John Allair (keyboards), Mark Isham (trumpet), Peter Van Hooke (drums), plus Pete Brewis (vocals), Eddie Lee Charlton (drums). Arrangements were made by Jeff Labes. Beautiful vision was recorded with: Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals), Chris Michie (guitar), David Hayes (bass), Mark Isham (keyboards, trumpet), John Allair (keyboards), Pee Wee Ellis (sax), Tom Donlinger (drums), Gary Mallaber (drums), plus Mark Knopfler (guitar), bass virtuoso Rob Wasserman, Seam Fulsom (pipe), Pauline Lozana (vocals), Bianca Thornton (vocals). The philosopher's stone is a compilation of unreleased tracks, covering a wide period, from 1971 to 1988. Herbie Armstrong appears in the four tracks from 1979 and 1980. A fantastic list of musicians appear here (Van has always known how to choose superb players).

SOLO ALBUMS

Herbie has released a few albums, as well as some singles: Singles: 'Real real gone / Blackout in Manhattan' (1981, Avatar) 'Heaven only knows / Do you' (1983, PRT) Josie / Do you' (1983, MMC) Save the last dance / Do you' (1983, PRT) 'Here comes the night / Back against the wall' (1986, Making Waves) Leather boots (1992) (EP, Charming) Solo albums: Back against the wall (1983, MMC) Herbie Armstrong (, EMI) Back against the wall was recorded with: Herbie Armstrong (vocals, guitar) Patrick O'Hearn (bass) Pee Wee Ellis (sax) Mark Isham (trumpet, keyboards) Peter Van Hooke (drums)