Butterfly Ball
Encyclopedia
The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast is a concept album
and subsequent live rock opera
appearing in 1974 and 1975 respectively, based on the children's book of the same title (The album cover design is from Alan Aldridge
's design for the book).
to be produced by Roger Glover
who had recently left Deep Purple
. However, Lord proved too busy with Deep Purple
and Glover took up the reins on his own. Using his connections, Glover recruited a large cast of noted rock musicians to perform on it, with a different vocalist for each track including David Coverdale
and Glenn Hughes. The single "Love Is All", with vocals from Ronnie James Dio
, made a minor impression in the UK but reached number one in The Netherlands. Its accompanying animated short movie also gained unexpected success in France, where the newly launched second TV channel Antenne 2 used it as a fill-in every time it experienced "technical difficulties". These random airings, together with the psychedelic tone of the clip and the lack of subtitles, made it very popular amongst young viewers. In 2006 the song was used by the Dutch political party CDA
in its election advertisements for the 2006 Dutch General Election
. Many Americans in the late 70's, 80's and 90's recall seeing the animated song clip "Love Is All" being regularly played in children's TV programs like the The Electric Company
and Nickelodeon
morning shows.
"Love Is All" and its animated music video was also given wide exposure in the southern hemisphere. It became something of a favourite well into the 1980's on pioneering Australian music show Countdown (1974 - 1987). With its rousing lyrics and parade of animals marching through the forest on their way to the mythical Butterfly Ball, the song attained Top 10 status 'Down Under' four years after it was recorded.
On 16 October 1975, a one-off performance at the Royal Albert Hall
took place. Again it had a star-studded cast of rock musicians, most notably Ian Gillan
who was drafted in at the last minute and received a standing ovation on his entrance. He replaced an unavailable Ronnie James Dio
who had commitments with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
(although Dio did eventually get to perform the song at the Royal Albert Hall
in 1999 as the guest of Deep Purple
). Gillan had not performed since leaving Deep Purple
in 1973. Also notable was the appearance of Twiggy
as singer and actress and Vincent Price
as narrator. Apart from most of the musicians involved in the studio recording, the concert also featured Jon Lord
. The live concert was filmed and released in 1976 produced by Tony Klinger.
of The Decemberists
has used the piece as intro music for the band's shows.
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
and subsequent live rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
appearing in 1974 and 1975 respectively, based on the children's book of the same title (The album cover design is from Alan Aldridge
Alan Aldridge
Alan Aldridge is an English artist, graphic designer and illustrator.-Personal life:Born in 1943 in east London, he currently resides in Los Angeles...
's design for the book).
Origin and production history
The work was originally conceived as a solo vehicle for Jon LordJon Lord
Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
to be produced by Roger Glover
Roger Glover
Roger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
who had recently left Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. However, Lord proved too busy with Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
and Glover took up the reins on his own. Using his connections, Glover recruited a large cast of noted rock musicians to perform on it, with a different vocalist for each track including David Coverdale
David Coverdale
David 'Jack' Coverdale is an English rock singer, most famous for his work with the his own hard rock band Whitesnake which achieved massive commercial success.-Early life:...
and Glenn Hughes. The single "Love Is All", with vocals from Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio
Ronald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
, made a minor impression in the UK but reached number one in The Netherlands. Its accompanying animated short movie also gained unexpected success in France, where the newly launched second TV channel Antenne 2 used it as a fill-in every time it experienced "technical difficulties". These random airings, together with the psychedelic tone of the clip and the lack of subtitles, made it very popular amongst young viewers. In 2006 the song was used by the Dutch political party CDA
Christian Democratic Appeal
The Christian Democratic Appeal is a centre-right Dutch Christian democratic political party. It suffered severe losses in the 2010 elections and fell from the first to the fourth place...
in its election advertisements for the 2006 Dutch General Election
Dutch general election, 2006
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on November 22, 2006. And followed the call for new elections after the fall of the Second Balkenende cabinet....
. Many Americans in the late 70's, 80's and 90's recall seeing the animated song clip "Love Is All" being regularly played in children's TV programs like the The Electric Company
The Electric Company
The Electric Company is an educational American children's television series that was produced by the Children's Television Workshop for PBS in the United States. PBS broadcast 780 episodes over the course of its six seasons from October 25, 1971 to April 15, 1977...
and Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
morning shows.
"Love Is All" and its animated music video was also given wide exposure in the southern hemisphere. It became something of a favourite well into the 1980's on pioneering Australian music show Countdown (1974 - 1987). With its rousing lyrics and parade of animals marching through the forest on their way to the mythical Butterfly Ball, the song attained Top 10 status 'Down Under' four years after it was recorded.
On 16 October 1975, a one-off performance at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
took place. Again it had a star-studded cast of rock musicians, most notably Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
who was drafted in at the last minute and received a standing ovation on his entrance. He replaced an unavailable Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio
Ronald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
who had commitments with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
Note: On the cassette version of the album, Side One features the last five tracks, while Side Two plays the first four. Also, on the case insert and on the cassette itself, "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" is written as "Sixteen Century Greensleeves"....
(although Dio did eventually get to perform the song at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in 1999 as the guest of Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
). Gillan had not performed since leaving Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
in 1973. Also notable was the appearance of Twiggy
Twiggy
Lesley Lawson née Hornby known as Twiggy is an English model, actress, and singer. In the early-1960s she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging sixties London with others such as Penelope Tree....
as singer and actress and Vincent Price
Vincent Price
Vincent Leonard Price, Jr. was an American actor, well known for his distinctive voice and serio-comic attitude in a series of horror films made in the latter part of his career.-Early life and career:Price was born in St...
as narrator. Apart from most of the musicians involved in the studio recording, the concert also featured Jon Lord
Jon Lord
Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
. The live concert was filmed and released in 1976 produced by Tony Klinger.
Later appearance
Colin MeloyColin Meloy
Colin Patrick Henry Meloy is the lead singer and songwriter for the Portland, Oregon, folk-rock band The Decemberists. In addition to vocals, he performs with an acoustic guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, percussion and interpretive hand gestures.-Early life...
of The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
has used the piece as intro music for the band's shows.
Original Album
- "Dawn" (Glover) 1.21
- "Get Ready" (Glover) 2.06
- "Saffron Dormouse and Lizzy Bee" (Glover) 1.25
- "Harlequin Hare" (Glover/Dio/Soule) 1.26
- "Old Blind Mole" (Glover) 1.11
- "Magician Moth" (Glover) 1.33
- "No Solution" (Glover) 3.28
- "Behind The Smile" (Glover) 1.46
- "Fly Away" (Glover) 2.22
- "Aranea" (Glover) 1.37
- "Sitting In A Dream" (Glover) 3.40
- "Waiting" (Glover) 3.11
- "Sir Maximus Mouse" (Glover) 2.35
- "Dreams of Sir Bedievere" 4.09
- "Together Again" (Glover/Dio/Soule) 2.05
- "Watch Out For The Bat" (Glover) 1.41
- "Little Chalk Blue" (Glover/Hardin) 3.44 CD Reissue only
- "The Feast" (Glover) 1.48
- "Love Is All" (Glover/Hardin) 3.14
- "Homeward" (Glover/Hardin) 4.12
1995 Reissue (Repertoire Records / REP 4567-WY)
- "Love Is All (Demo Version)" 3.04
- "Dawn" (Remix) 1.35
- "Magician Moth" (Remix) 1.37
- "Harlequin Hare" (Remix) 1.33
- "Magician Moth" (Remix) 1.34
- No Solution" (Remix) 3.58
- "Waiting" (Remix) 3.58
- "Fly Away"(Remix) 2.24
- "Aranea" (Remix) 1.38
Film version from the concert 16 October 1975
- "Dawn" (feat Vincent Price)
- "Get Ready" (feat Glenn Hughes)
- "Saffron Dormouse and Lizzy Bee" (feat Helen Chappelle and Barry St. John)
- "Together Again" (feat Tony Ashton)
- "Old Blind Mole" (feat Earl Jordan)
- "Magician Moth" (feat Vincent Price)
- "Watch Out For The Bat" (feat John Gustafson)
- "Aranea" (feat Judi Kuhl)
- "Sir Maximus Mouse" (feat Eddie Hardin)
- "Behind The Smile" (feat David Coverdale)
- "Little Chalk Blue" (feat John Lawton)
- "Waiting" (feat Al MatthewsAl MatthewsAl Matthews is a UK-based American actor and singer, best known as Sergeant Apone in the 1986 movie Aliens....
) - "Sitting In A Dream" (feat Ian Gillan)
- "No Solution" (feat Mickey Lee Soule)
- "The Feast" (feat Vincent Price)
- "Love Is All" (feat John Lawton a.o.)
- "Homeward" (feat Twiggy)
- "Love Is All" (encore)
Personnel Original Album
- Tony AshtonTony AshtonTony Ashton was an English rock pianist, keyboardist, singer, composer, producer and artist.-Biography:...
- vocals on track 15 - Les BinksLes BinksJames Leslie Binks , is a Northern Irish heavy metal drummer, who is most notable for having been the drummer for Judas Priest.-History:...
- drums - Helen Chappelle - vocals on track 3
- David CoverdaleDavid CoverdaleDavid 'Jack' Coverdale is an English rock singer, most famous for his work with the his own hard rock band Whitesnake which achieved massive commercial success.-Early life:...
- vocals on track 8 - Ronnie James DioRonnie James DioRonald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
- vocals on tracks 11, 19 and 20 - Jack Emblow - accordion
- Ray FenwickRay FenwickRay Fenwick is an English guitarist and session musician, best known for replacing Steve Howe in The Syndicats, and as the lead guitarist of Ian Gillan's post Deep Purple solo project, the Ian Gillan Band.-Biography:...
- guitar - Mo FosterMo FosterMo Foster is a British session musician, playing primarily jazz, jazz-fusion and rock bass guitar. He is also a music producer and songwriter/composer. In over 40 years as a musician Foster has played on and produced countless albums, singles, and film soundtracks...
- bass guitar, double bass, fingerpops - Kay Garner - backing vocals
- Michael GilesMichael GilesMichael Giles is an English drummer, best known as a co-founder of King Crimson in 1969...
- drums - Roger GloverRoger GloverRoger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
- synthesiser piano, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, backing vocals - John Goodison - vocals on track 5
- John GustafsonJohn Gustafson (musician)John "Gus" Gustafson also known as Johnny Gustafson is an influential bass player who has had a thirty eight year recording and live performance career...
- vocals on track 16 - Eddie HardinEddie HardinEddie Hardin , is an English rock pianist and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his associations with the Spencer Davis Group, Axis Point also Hardin and York...
- keyboards, background vocals - Jimmy HelmsJimmy HelmsJames H. Helms is an American soul singer.-Early days:Helms' first release "Ragtime Girl" was put out on Pye Records in 1963...
- vocals on track 12 - Glenn Hughes - vocals on track 2
- Eddie JobsonEddie JobsonEdwin "Eddie" Jobson is an English keyboardist and violinist noted for his use of synthesizers. He has been a member of several progressive rock bands, including Curved Air, Roxy Music, U.K., and Jethro Tull. He was also part of Frank Zappa's band in 1976-77...
- violin - Chris KaranChris KaranChris Karan is a jazz percussionist, primarily a drummer, of Greek descent from Melbourne. He played in Mike Nock's trio in Sydney in the early 1960s...
- tabla - Judi Kuhl - vocals on track 10 and backing vocals
- Neil Lancaster - vocals on track 4
- John LawtonJohn Lawton (musician)John Lawton is a rock and roll and blues vocalist best known for his work with Lucifer's Friend, Uriah Heep and the Les Humphries Singers.-Biography:...
- vocals on track 17 - Mike Moran - piano
- Ann Odell - piano
- Mickey Lee Soule - vocals on track 7
- Barry St. John - vocals on track 3
- Liza Strike - vocals on track 9
- Robin Thompson - bassoon
- Nigel WatsonNigel Watson (musician)Nigel Watson is a British blues-rock guitarist best known for his work with ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green.-Career:After Green left Fleetwood Mac in 1970, he worked with Watson on two solo singles, "Heavy Heart" and "Beasts of Burden", the latter being credited to both musicians...
- saw - Joanne Williams - backing vocals
- The Mountain Fjord Orchestra led by David Woodcock and conducted by Martin Ford, John Bell and Del Newman.
See also
For information on the poem, on which the book is based, see The Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's FeastExternal links
- Roger Glover & Guests - The Butterfly Ball And the Grasshopper's Feast, AvaxHome.com. Dave Thompson is credited with some or all of the text at this website. The unsourced "Origin and production history" body of this Wikipedia article (as of April 2011) appears to be sourced from -- or to be commonly sourced with -- this text.
- Roger Glover.com
- amazon uk listing
- Roger Glover - Love is all on YouTube
- The Butterfly Ball And The Grasshopper's Feast at Discogs.com