Sassafras are a rock band from South Wales first formed in 1970. They play a mix of rock and roll, progressive rock and country rock with the emphasis on vocal harmony. The use of twin guitar solos, played by original members Dai Shell and Ralph Evans, continues to be a distinctive feature of their music. The band holds the UK record for the group performing the greatest number of live gigs in a year.

History The band was formed in South Wales in 1970 with guitarist Ralph Evans, bassist Ricky John Holt and drummer Rob Reynolds. David (Dai) Shell, a noted Cardiff guitarist, joined soon afterwards.

The band signed to George Martin's AIR Productions in 1972 with a line-up completed by Terry Bennett on vocals and Robert 'Congo' Jones on drums. The band released their debut album, Expecting Company, on Polydor in 1973.

The band toured America's larger venues with such headlining groups as Ten Years After, Fleetwood Mac and Peter Frampton, played at festivals and achieved good press coverage, but never found real commercial success.

The band has been described as "a sort-of Welsh Fleetwood Mac/Eagles hybrid, with soaring west-coast melodies and a real roadtrip rock feel". In the early 1970s they held the record for highest number of gigs in a single year, with their 332 beating Slade by one. The band were still performing in 2022,https://m.facebook.com/events/1632436347089128?refid=17&ref=m_notif&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&_ft_=qid.-6215542253394654274%3Amf_story_key.751599849351693%3Atop_level_post_id.751599849351693%3Atl_objid.751599849351693%3Acontent_owner_id_new.100035050543328%3Athrowback_story_fbid.751599849351693%3Apage_id.166679586685136%3Astory_location.4%3Astory_attachment_style.photo%3Atagged_locations.166679586685136%3Aott.AX8oa_0vLNaNOlVH%3Aent_attachement_type.MediaAttachment%3Aapp_id.350685531728%3Apage_insights.%7B%22166679586685136%22%3A%7B%22page_id%22%3A166679586685136%2C%22page_id_type%22%3A%22page%22%2C%22actor_id%22%3A100035050543328%2C%22dm%22%3A%7B%22isShare%22%3A0%2C%22originalPostOwnerID%22%3A0%7D%2C%22psn%22%3A%22EntStatusCreationStory%22%2C%22role%22%3A4%2C%22sl%22%3A4%2C%22targets%22%3A%5B%7B%22actor_id%22%3A100035050543328%2C%22page_id%22%3A166679586685136%2C%22role%22%3A4%7D%5D%7D%7D%3Aprofile_id.100035050543328%3Aprofile_relationship_type.1%3Aactrs.100035050543328%3Atds_flgs.3%3Athid.100035050543328%3A306061129499414%3A2%3A0%3A1656658799%3A-2878186517840863473%3A%3A%3Aftmd_400706.111111l&__tn__=%2As-R

Galloni, James and Ray Jones later joined Son of Man, led by George Jones, who play music by Man, as well as their own compositions.

Personnel

Dai Shellguitars Ralph Evansguitars, backing vocals Rob Reynoldsdrums Ricky John Holtbass Terry Bennettlead vocals, percussion Steve Finnbass, backing vocals Robert 'Congo' Jonesdrums Ray Jonesbass guitar, vocals Richard Gallonivocals Garry Davisdrums Marco Jameskeyboards, violin, mandolin Chris Sharleydrums, backing vocals Andy Colesdrums

Discography Singles "Oh My (Don't It Make You Want To Cry)", 1974, Polydor: 2058 497 "Wheelin' 'N' Dealin'", 1975, Chrysalis: CHS 2063

Albums Expecting Company, 1973, Polydor: 2383 245 (reissued on CD, 2014, Esoteric Recordings) Wheelin' 'N' Dealin''', 1975, Chrysalis: CHR 1076Riding High, 1976, Chrysalis: CHR 1100Sassafras Live, 2002, Iberico Records: IB89001 Wheelin' 'N' Dealin' / Riding High, 2005, Gott Discs: GOTTCD026Expecting Company, 2014, CD re-issue, Esoteric Recordings, plus two bonus tracks

DVDs Sassafras Live DVD'', 2002, Iberico Records

References

External links

Busted Country Blues at soundcloud.com Sassafras – channel at YouTube