The Stirlings

*For the album, see The Stirlings (Album)*

**The Stirlings** were an English rock band formed in Bristol in 1965. Consisting of Chaz Michaels (vocals), David Crane (lead guitar), Samuel Crowell (bass guitar), and John Mitchells (drums), The Stirlings became one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Inspired by bands such as *The Beatles* and *The Rolling Stones* and led primarily by lead singer Chaz Michaels, The Stirlings experimented with many different sounds and genres, and pioneered many techniques still in use in the music industry today.

## The Stirlings

### Members

Chaz Michaels, David Crane, Samuel Crowell, and John Mitchells

The Stirlings were formed in 1965, and became well known by playing in clubs around Bristol. In 1966, they were discovered by manager Gary Edwards, and released their first album self titled *The Stirlings*. In 1966, like many other English rock bands of the time, The Stirlings toured the United States, where they were becoming increasingly popular. By 1970, with the help of producer Neville Cromme, The Stirlings were one of the best-selling bands, showing immense musical talent and ingenuity, releasing albums such as *On the Road* (1967), *The Big One* (1968), *In the Clouds* (1970), and *The Human Mind* (1972). In 1974, lead singer Chaz Michaels was hit and killed by a bus near his home in Bristol. The remaining members disbanded in 1975.

## History

### Origin (1963-1965)

The Stirlings were founded in Bristol in 1965 by members Chaz Michaels, David Crane, Samuel Crowell, and John Mitchells. In 1963, Michaels and Crane founded a band called The Mills. Although the band was short-lived, the two would stay in touch. In 1965, along with friends John Mitchells and Samuel Crowell, they founded The Stirlings.

Lead singer Chaz Michaels was credited with creating the name "The Stirlings". Other names suggested included "The Guys", "The Coins", or simply resusing "The Mills".

### Club Shows and Discovery (1965-1966)

The Stirlings began playing in local nightclubs in and around Bristol in 1965. The group quickly became a local favorite, with many fans following the band to whatever nightclub they were playing at on weekends. In 1966, while performing at The Cats Meow nightclub, Gary Edwards heard the band for the first time. As an entrepeneur, Edwards knew that the band was special, and planned a meeting to discuss signing a contract. In 1966, Gary Edwards became the manager of The Stirlings, and they began work on their first studio album.

### Early Work and Touring (1966-1968)

The Stirlings' first album, self titled *The Stirlings*, was a breakout hit. Mimicking the style of other popular bands of the time, the album put The Stirlings on the world stage, and allowed them to begin their international touring in Canada and New Zealand. In 1966, they toured the United States for the first time.

In 1967, off the success of their first album, The Stirlings released *On The Road*, another huge hit. The album was the first to be produced by longtime producer Neville Cromme, who would produce the rest of their albums. By this point Chaz Michaels was the clear leader of the band, and he wrote the majority of their songs and lyrics.

### Musical Maturity and Later Work (1968-1974)

Beginning with the album *The Big One* in 1968, The Stirlings switched their style and began expirementing more with their music. This is when the affects of drugs such as acid became apparent in their music. In 1970 they released *In the Clouds*, another milestone in rock history, and finally in 1972 *The Human Mind* was released, which is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time.

### Death of Chaz Michaels and Disbanding (1974-1975)

*See The Death of Chaz Michaels*

In 1974, lead singer Chaz Michaels was hit by a bus while walking to a grocer nearby his home in Bristol, and died in the hospital two days later. Unsure what to do, David Crane became the temporary leader of the band. After a tribute concert to Michaels in 1975, the group disbanded.

## Legacy

To this day, many still consider The Stirlings to be one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Albums such as *The Human Mind* and *In the Clouds* have been included on lists of the greatest rock albums of all time, and dozens of documentaries have been created about the band.

In 1976, guitarist David Crane founded the band The Dozen Eggs, of which he is still an active member today. In 1997, John Mitchells was tragically killed while on safari in Kenya, when he startled a herd of wildebeest and caused a stampede. After the band, Samuel Crowell became a shoemaker and no longer performs music of any type.