On This Day 23/12/2000 Andy Fairweather Low, Man, Racing Cars

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On this day, 23 December 2000, Welsh rockers Andy Fairweather Low, Man and Racing Cars played Cardiff’s Coal Exchange venue.

Andrew Fairweather Low was a founding member and lead singer of 1960s pop band Amen Corner, and in recent years has toured extensively with Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.

Man were formed in November 1968 by Micky Jones (guitar and vocals), Deke Leonard (guitar and vocals), Clive John (keyboards and vocals), Ray Williams (bass guitar) and Jeff Jones (drums), in Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, out of previous local band The Bystanders. They were active through to 1976 with an ever-changing personnel, the last line-up consisting of Jones and Leonard with John McKenzie (bass), Terry Williams (drums) and Phil Ryan (keyboards). Amongst others, Martin Ace (guitar and bass) had a significant spell with group. They released 9 studio albums including the UK charting albums Back into the Future Rhinos, Winos and Lunatics and the live album Maximum Darkness. Their musical style is rock encompassing elements of psychedelia and progressive, and they are noted for their extended live improvisations.

Racing Cars was a Welsh pop band, formed in the Rhondda Valley, Wales in 1973. The only hit single was "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?", which peaked at number fourteen in the UK Singles Chart in 1977, and was inspired by the film, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Touring included dates supporting Bad Company in 1976.

On This Day 02/08/1948 Andy Fairweather Low

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On this day, 2 August 1948, Welsh guitarist and singer Andy Fairweather Low was born in Ystrad Mynach. He was a founding member and lead singer of 1960s pop band Amen Corner.

Fairweather Low's first opportunity to play guitar came when he took a Saturday job at a music shop in Cardiff.

He achieved fame as a founding member of the pop group Amen Corner in the late 1960s. They had four successive top-ten hits on the UK Singles Chart, including the number-one single "(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice" in 1969. 

In the description of AllMusic critic William Ruhlmann, the band's overnight success and Fairweather Low's teen idol looks "put his attractive face on the bedroom walls of teenage girls all over Britain".

Amen Corner split in two in 1970, with Fairweather Low leading Dennis Bryon (drums), Blue Weaver (organ), Clive Taylor (bass) and Neil Jones (guitar) into a new band, Fair Weather. The band's "Natural Sinner" peaked at No. 6 in the UK in July 1970, but their albums, Beginning From An End and Let Your Mind Roll On, failed to chart. 

After twelve months, Fairweather Low left to pursue a solo career. He released four albums up to 1980 on A&M and Warner Bros.These spawned further single chart success with "Reggae Tune" (1974), and "Wide Eyed and Legless", a No. 6 Christmas-time hit in 1975. Welsh group Budgie covered "I Ain't No Mountain" off Fairweather Low's 1974 album Spider Jiving on their 1975 release Bandolier.

In the late 1970s and 1980s he worked for numerous artists as a session musician, performing as a backing vocalist and guitarist on albums by Roy Wood, Leo Sayer, Albion Band, Gerry Rafferty, Helen Watson, and Richard and Linda Thompson.

In 1978, Fairweather Low sang backing vocals on the album Who Are You, from The Who, specifically on the tracks "New Song", "Had Enough", "Guitar and Pen", "Love Is Coming Down", and "Who Are You". On the Who's 1982 album It's Hard, he played rhythm guitar on the song "It's Your Turn". Fairweather Low later appeared on Townshend's 1993 album Psychoderelict and the accompanying concert tour.

In 1995, Fairweather Low played rhythm guitar on Joe Satriani's self-titled CD, along with Nathan East on bass and Manu Katché on drums. One reviewer commented that "this backup band of extremely gifted backup musicians sincerely adds a diverse range of textures and colors, bringing out a much-needed live feel to an otherwise bland album of blues-oriented jazz-rock."

Fairweather Low has worked with Roger Waters since Waters' The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking tour of America in 1985. He contributed to two of Waters' albums – Radio KAOS in 1987 and Amused to Death in 1992. He played guitar and bass on Roger Waters' all-star performance of The Wall – Live in Berlin on 21 July 1990, on the 1999–2002 In the Flesh world tour and was playing on Waters' Dark Side of the Moon Live world tour in 2006[1] and 2007, but was not able to perform with him in 2008.[10] His role was picked up by session guitarist Chester Kamen.

In 1992, he began working on projects alongside Eric Clapton. Fairweather Low had earlier appeared in Clapton's band in the 1983 ARMS concerts for Ronnie Lane and, while he has continued to do session work for various people, including Dave Edmunds, Fairweather Low has spent most of his time since the early 1990s as a sideman in Clapton's backing band, as well as session work; notably Clapton's Unplugged concerts, as well as on From The Cradle.

In the same year, he was present on tours with the 1999 Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris collaboration. In December 1991, he played guitar on George Harrison's Live in Japan tour and album, along with the rest of Clapton's band, and in 2002, he played several of the lead guitar parts for the Harrison tribute Concert for George, on some songs playing Harrison's famous Fender Stratocaster "Rocky" and Harrison's gold Fender Electric XII. In 2004, he appeared in the Stratpack concert, celebrating 50 years of the Fender Stratocaster.

An extremely busy sideman, Fairweather Low continues to perform with some of the greats in the industry while also including regular tours with his own band The Lowriders.

Between September 2021 and April 2022, Fairweather Low & the Low Riders undertook an extensive UK tour, billed as 'On The Road Again', playing over 50 dates and ending at the Flowerpot in Derby on 30 April 2022. On 31 December 2022/1 January 2023 he appeared as a guest artist on Jools' Annual Hootenanny show on BBC2 to welcome in the new year.

During the coronavirus lockdown, Low recorded a new solo album, Flang Dang, at Rockfield Studios, on which he played every instrument except the drums. The album was released in February 2023 under The Last Music Company label.

Solo album discography

Andy Fairweather Low on stage with Eric Clapton at London's Royal Albert Hall, 23 May 2009

Spider Jiving (1974)

La Booga Rooga (1975)

Be Bop 'N' Holla (1976)

Mega Shebang (1980)

Wide Eyed And Legless: The A&M Recordings (First three albums on a double CD release) (2004)

Sweet Soulful Music (2006)

Best of Andy Fairweather Low – Low Rider (2008)

Live in Concert (DVD) 2008

Lively (Sold at concerts exclusively) (2012)

Zone-O-Tone (2013)

Live From The New Theatre, Cardiff (Limited Edition 2CD/1DVD set) (2015)

Lockdown Live (2021)

Flang Dang (2023

On This Day 18/01/1968 I’m Backing Britain Campaign

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On this day 18 January 1968, it was reported that the government’s I’m Backing Britain was getting support from the country’s movers and shakers amongst the country’s musical fraternity including comments from two Welsh pop exports, Spencer Davis and Amen Corners Andy Fairweather Low.

A group of Surbiton typists began it all in December 1967 when they agreed to stay and work an extra half hour a day for free at a firm called Colt Heating. Within days they had become front-page news and many thousands followed their lead – in the face of great opposition from Trade Unions.

The media and establishment picked up their idea. Robert Maxwell took out “Buy British” ads in the papers and people were encouraged to sport T-shirts and badges emblazoned with “I’m Backing Britain” over a union jack.

The Duke of Edinburgh even lent his support saying it was “the most heartening news I’ve heard in 1967”. The campaign was made that much easier because – post devaluation – the pound now bought less overseas.

When asked about whether they’d be Backing Britain, Spencer Davis replied, “I’ve been backing Britain for a long time. I think the pop scene can definitely help the economy. All the groups could play a mammoth charity show for ten years to help the trade gap. Quite frankly the trade gap is being helped by The Beatles and the Stones selling so many records abroad. A lot of people don’t realise that when they put down groups because of their long hair and clothes. Anyway think how much long hair helps the shampoo manufacturers!

Andy Fairweather Low replied, “One can’t distinguish whether this is an intensified campaign boost the government’s sagging image, correction… Harold Wilson’s sagging image or, if it is genuine, and a few misguided people feel they can help. It’s been proved ants can’t move rubber tree plants. If everyone owned up, the truth would be that each individual puts his interests first. I would sympathise if the movement was backing Wales Home Rule.

On This Day 26/10/1968 Amen Corner/ Spencer Davis

On this day, 26 October 1968, Melody Maker announced that Cardiff band Amen Corner will have a new single release on December 6 and next week start work on their second album.

The album will include four tracks that were recorded live - probably at the Sophia Gardens before an invited audience.

The band will take its annual holiday for two weeks over the Christmas period in the West Indies.

Also in the news, Swansea-born Spencer Davis announced the names of his two new group members. They are drummer David Hynes and bass guitarist Dee Murray. Both were former members of Hertfordshire group the Mirage.

They replace Peter York and Eddie Hardin who left the group last week.

The group fly to Germany for the premiere of the hippy musical Hair, in Munich. Spencer has recorded a German version of "Aquarious."

On This Day 05/10/1969 Amen Corner

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On this day, 5 October 1969, Cardiff and South Wales's finest band Amen Corner announced they had split up.

The split was announced on the front page of Melody Maker with the headline saying, After four years at the top AMEN SPLIT Andy refuses to comment.

Andy Fairweather low and Amen Corner have split.Britain's number one teeny bopper pop group took the decision this week to break up after four years at the top, and weeks of denials.

Their representative Keith Altham told the MM on Monday: "They have decided to abdicate their role as Britain's number one teenage group following a fairwell concert at Boston Glyodrome on Oct 4.

The decison to disband was taken unanimously by the group at a time when they feel they have achieved all that is possible for them

within the musically creative limitations of their particular market."

Saxist Mike Smith is planning an orchestral album and singer Alan Jones may follow a solo career.

Andy Fairweather Low, their idolised lead singer has gone home to Wales and is said to be refusing to comment on the split.

Amen Corner were formed in 1966 and the members included, Andy, Clive Taylor, Blue Weaver, Mike Smith, Neil Jones Dennis Byron and Alan Jones.

They have had six top ten hits including "Bend Me Shape Me," "Gin House," "High In The Sky," "Half As Nice," and "Hello Suzie."

Their records have also been hits in many European and Commonwealth countries.

On This Day 26/08/1967 Amen Corner

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On this day, 26 August 1967, the Melody Maker reported that Cardiff popsters Amen Corner, despite holding the number 13 slot on the Melody Maker top 30 this week, the band had won a prize for an amateur talent contest they had entered last June.

It was Granada's TV's "First Timers" show which is screened daily in the North and features artists who have never appeared on TV before, produced by Johnny Hamp.

On Wednesday this week the group were to receive a trophy and cheque from Engelbert Humperdinck.

When the group entered the contest they were still without a recording contract.

The song that won them the contest? - "Gin House."

On this day 10/09/1976 Queen

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On this day 10 September 1976, legendary British rock band Queen played Cardiff Castle. Also on the bill was Cardiff’s Andy Fairweather-Low, Frankie Miller's Full House and Manfred Mann.

Richie Blackmore & Rainbow were originally part of the package but refused to play Cardiff Castle because they couldn't get onstage their 35-foot high artificial rainbow which they regarded as an "essential part of their act". Probably they weren't allowed to put it up due to upstaging Queen.

Roger Taylor wrote about the show in the autumn '76 fan club magazine, describing the weather as "virtually a monsoon." He adds, "The sight of the rain pouring down through the spotlights on everybody, and of Freddie splashing his way through pools of water at the front of the stage will remain indelibly printed on our memories forever. The fact that people stayed on and enjoyed themselves right to the end made it quite a moving occasion for us. In fact, I was so overcome I just had to wreck me drum kit at the end, which reduced 'Crystal' my roadie to floods of tears rivalling the rain (it was a brand new kit too!). Anyway if you were there thanks for being our bravest audience ever and I hope the pneumonia cleared up."

This is assumingly the final performance of Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon.

In his Queen Live book, Queen archivist Greg Brooks alleges there is a bootleg of this show called "Queen At The Castle," but no such release ever occurred. There are no known recordings of this show.

Setlist

A Day At the Races Intro

Bohemian Rhapsody

(Rock Section)

Ogre Battle

Sweet Lady

White Queen (As It Began)

Flick of the Wrist

You're My Best Friend

Bohemian Rhapsody

Killer Queen

The March of the Black Queen

Bohemian Rhapsody

(Reprise)

Bring Back That Leroy Brown

Brighton Rock

Son and Daughter

'39

You Take My Breath Away

The Prophet's Song

Stone Cold Crazy

Doing All Right

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon

Tie Your Mother Down

Keep Yourself Alive

Liar

In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited

Encore:

Now I'm Here

Big Spender

(Cy Coleman cover)

Jailhouse Rock

(Elvis Presley cover)

God Save the Queen

([traditional] cover)