Dumb Blondes
Encyclopedia
The 'Original' Dumb Blondes, as they were initially called, were a Punk/Rock/Glam band with the occasional touch of Reggae which included current Def Leppard
and Manraze guitarist Phil Collen
.
In 1977 the band consisted of singer Jeff Hepting, guitarist Phil Collen, bassist Pete Webb, and drummer Fred Ball aka Jean Harlow, Phylis, Pet Roleum and Pinky!
The 'Original' Dumb Blondes had high interest from EMI
and were given free recording time at studio by Ronnie Beck of Feldman/Trident Music who were the publishers of Queen
who recorded Queen I & II and also the soundtrack to Flash. The 'Original' Dumb Blondes recorded about 6 songs which included: "The Hooker", "Necrophiliac", "Blue Smoke/Two Stroke", "Old Time Movie Star", "Spider's Web", and "Money Grabber". Nothing materialised out of this (probably due to the explicit lyrics to some of the songs, of which the band refused to change!). Several of these songs are now on YouTube.
Hepting, Collen and Ball had previously played together in the band Tush
. Original members of Tush
were : Tony Miles, Mickey Tickton, Robert White and George Junor.
Collen & Webb were previously in a band called Lucy
, which had 2 singles out on Lightning Records titled "Really Got Me Goin'" and "Never Never".
After Dumb Blondes, Collen went on to the band Girl
with a very, very brief appearance (about a week or two) by Pete, this was after bassist Mark Megary and before Simon Laffy and before they were signed to Jet Records. Pete was never an official member of Girl
it must be said.
Fred Ball went on to perform in a band called XFX and is currently in a band called Slam.
Pete Webb ventured into several bands after this including Dumb Blondes (mark II) with Jeff and new members Paul Mason (guitar), Andy Tompsett (keyboards), Graham Garrett (drums).
Dumb Blondes (mark II) released a double 'a' sided single (1980) titled 'Strange Love' & 'Sorrow' (the McCoys song which was a big hit in 1966 by the Merseys) on the then Independent Fresh Records (Fresh 21) which was produced by none other than Pete "Overend" Watts and Dale "Buffin" Griffin the bass & drums of Mott the Hoople
Amongst other bands Pete was involved in were Tarazara, The Union (not the Luke Morley Union), WellHung, Metalworks and last information we have is currently the bassist in top tribute to Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne in the band The Sabbath.
Graham Garrett left Dumb Blondes to record and tour Japan with Panache, before forming Ya Ya with Panache band mate and bassist Terry Stevens.
Jeff Hepting also toured with Panache in Japan.
Jeff Hepting later sang with the outrageous Glam Wrock party band The Sugar Plums and also toured with 80s tribute band Spandex Belly.
Jeff Hepting now plays with covers band ARCHIVE who are based in Waltham Forest, London
Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
and Manraze guitarist Phil Collen
Phil Collen
Philip Kenneth "Phil" Collen is the co-lead guitarist and one of the backing vocalists for English rock band Def Leppard. He joined the band in 1982 following the departure of Pete Willis.-Early years:...
.
In 1977 the band consisted of singer Jeff Hepting, guitarist Phil Collen, bassist Pete Webb, and drummer Fred Ball aka Jean Harlow, Phylis, Pet Roleum and Pinky!
The 'Original' Dumb Blondes had high interest from EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
and were given free recording time at studio by Ronnie Beck of Feldman/Trident Music who were the publishers of Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
who recorded Queen I & II and also the soundtrack to Flash. The 'Original' Dumb Blondes recorded about 6 songs which included: "The Hooker", "Necrophiliac", "Blue Smoke/Two Stroke", "Old Time Movie Star", "Spider's Web", and "Money Grabber". Nothing materialised out of this (probably due to the explicit lyrics to some of the songs, of which the band refused to change!). Several of these songs are now on YouTube.
Hepting, Collen and Ball had previously played together in the band Tush
Tush (band)
TUSH were an English rock band from London active during the mid-1970s, and at one time featured current Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen....
. Original members of Tush
Tush (band)
TUSH were an English rock band from London active during the mid-1970s, and at one time featured current Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen....
were : Tony Miles, Mickey Tickton, Robert White and George Junor.
Collen & Webb were previously in a band called Lucy
Lucy (band)
Lucy were an English punk band featuring Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen.The first line-up of this band featured lead vocalist Paul Mewse, guitarist Phil Collen, bassist Peter Ferris, and drummer Len Foster...
, which had 2 singles out on Lightning Records titled "Really Got Me Goin'" and "Never Never".
After Dumb Blondes, Collen went on to the band Girl
Girl (band)
Girl were an English glam metal band formed in 1979, who split up in 1982 with band members going on to join Def Leppard and L.A. Guns among others.-History:The band's lead vocalist was Phil Lewis...
with a very, very brief appearance (about a week or two) by Pete, this was after bassist Mark Megary and before Simon Laffy and before they were signed to Jet Records. Pete was never an official member of Girl
Girl (band)
Girl were an English glam metal band formed in 1979, who split up in 1982 with band members going on to join Def Leppard and L.A. Guns among others.-History:The band's lead vocalist was Phil Lewis...
it must be said.
Fred Ball went on to perform in a band called XFX and is currently in a band called Slam.
Pete Webb ventured into several bands after this including Dumb Blondes (mark II) with Jeff and new members Paul Mason (guitar), Andy Tompsett (keyboards), Graham Garrett (drums).
Dumb Blondes (mark II) released a double 'a' sided single (1980) titled 'Strange Love' & 'Sorrow' (the McCoys song which was a big hit in 1966 by the Merseys) on the then Independent Fresh Records (Fresh 21) which was produced by none other than Pete "Overend" Watts and Dale "Buffin" Griffin the bass & drums of Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople were a British rock band with strong R&B roots, popular in the glam rock era of the early to mid 1970s. They are popularly known for the song "All the Young Dudes", written for them by David Bowie and appearing on their 1972 album of the same name.-The early years:Mott The Hoople...
Amongst other bands Pete was involved in were Tarazara, The Union (not the Luke Morley Union), WellHung, Metalworks and last information we have is currently the bassist in top tribute to Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne in the band The Sabbath.
Graham Garrett left Dumb Blondes to record and tour Japan with Panache, before forming Ya Ya with Panache band mate and bassist Terry Stevens.
Jeff Hepting also toured with Panache in Japan.
Jeff Hepting later sang with the outrageous Glam Wrock party band The Sugar Plums and also toured with 80s tribute band Spandex Belly.
Jeff Hepting now plays with covers band ARCHIVE who are based in Waltham Forest, London