Thunderclap Newman

Thunderclap Newman was a British rock band that Pete Townshend of the Who and Kit Lambert formed in 1969 in a bid to showcase the talents of John "Speedy" Keen, Jimmy McCulloch, and Andy "Thunderclap" Newman.
Their single, "Something in the Air", a 1969 UK number one hit, remains in demand for television commercials, film soundtracks and compilations. The band released a critically acclaimed rock album, Hollywood Dream, and three other singles (which appeared on the album), "Accidents", "The Reason" and "Wild Country".
From 1969 until 1971, the nucleus of the band consisted of the songwriter John "Speedy" Keen (vocals, drums, guitar), Andy "Thunderclap" Newman (piano) and Jimmy McCulloch (guitar). Pete Townshend (using the alias "Bijou Drains") played bass guitar on their album and singles, all of which he had recorded and produced at the IBC Studio and his Twickenham home studio. The band augmented its personnel during its tours: in 1969 with James "Jim" Pitman-Avery (bass guitar) and Jack McCulloch (drums); and in 1971 with Ronnie Peel (bass guitar) and Roger Felice (drums). The band folded in April 1971 but was resurrected by Andy Newman with a new group in 2010.
The most current Thunderclap Newman group was formed in February 2010 at the instigation of music business manager Ian Grant. The line up of the band was Andy Newman, Mark Brzezicki, Nick Johnson, Josh Townshend and Tony Stubbings. They recorded and released an album in 2010 titled Beyond Hollywood.
Andy "Thunderclap" Newman died on 29 March 2016, at the age of 73.
==Links to Peel==
According to available tracklistings on this site, Peel seemed to have first played the group in the early 70's, although it is more likely he had heard of them in the late 60's when they had a UK number 1 hit single, 'Something in the Air', in 1969.
In 1974, the group performed at the North East London Polytechnic, where amongst others Roger Ruskin Spear performed, which Peel was present at. 
Peel also played solo material from musician, Speedy Keen, who wrote their big hit, "Something in the Air".
==Shows Played==
;thumb|220x220pxThunderclap Newman
*31 October 1970: Wild Country (album - Hollywood Dream) Track
*28 August 1971: Hollywood #2 (album - Hollywood Dream) Track
;Speedy Keen
*15 May 1973: Let Us In (LP – Previous Convictions) MCA
== See Also ==
*Gigography 1974
*Sounds
==External Links==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
Category:Artists