Recently, we caught up with veteran session guitarist, Chris Spedding. Among other things, we touch on what he’s been up to during the lockdown, his origins in music, his long and storied career, cult band, Sharks, and a whole lot more.
If you would like to learn more about Chris Spedding, the link to his webpage is here. Once you’ve checked that out, dig into this interview with Chris. Cheers.
Andrew:
As a young musician, what were some of your early leanings which eventually shaped your style?
Chris:
Violin lessons. Then Skiffle, Elvis, Little Richard, Eddie Cochran. Then a bit of 1960s Jazz.
Andrew:
Take me through your early years with the Battered Ornaments. How did the band initially form?
Chris:
We were a bunch of misfit Jazz players put together by Pete Brown and Dick Heckstall Smith. We thought we could play Rock.
Andrew:
It wasn’t long before you began to make a name for yourself, with you handling guitar duties on Jack Bruce’s early solo recordings, Songs For A Tailor, and Harmony Row. How did you initially begin working with Jack?
Chris:
Through Pete Brown. I think Jack wanted a guitar player who didn’t sound like Eric Clapton.
Andrew:
You continued your session work with Harry Nilsson and handled the guitar duties on his watershed record, Nilsson Schmilsson. Paint a picture of the sessions for us.
Chris:
A lot of concentration. Very serious. No “lost weekends.”
Andrew:
You were an early member of Nucleus, which for those that don’t know, was a Jazz-Fusion band. Take me through the formation of the band.
Chris:
They gave me a solo to do on the song “Elastic Rock.” It was done in one take. I guess I passed the audition.
Andrew:
How big of a role did you play in the recording of Elton’s John’s classic album, Madman Across The Water?
Chris:
It was a full orchestra, live in the studio, which was conducted by Paul Buckmaster. I got the call, showed up at Trident, and played what was written. All in a day’s work.
Andrew:
Sharks, which featured Andy Fraser, Marty Simon, and Steve Parsons, is a criminally underrated band. How did the band come together?
Chris:
Andy called me. I took a two-year break from session work to do Sharks. Too bad it didn’t work out better.
Andrew:
It’s rumored that during auditions for the band’s singer, the likes of Robert Palmer and Leo Sayer were passed over for Steve Parsons. Is there any truth to that?
Chris:
That’s very true!
Andrew:
First Water and Jab It In Yor Eye are cult classics of the 1970s, which resonated enough to find Sharks on tour with the likes of Roxy Music. What do you recall about the sessions for those records?
Chris:
The albums could have been better. Maybe they would have sold more if they were better. I recall a lot of chaos. My only experience of recording was via session work, so I didn’t know any better. I thought that was how it was done. The Battered Ornament sessions were also chaotic.
Andrew:
As I mentioned, Sharks hit the road with Roxy Music in the mid-70s. What was the experience like? Do you have any significant memories of the road?
Chris:
There were some good shows, but we were always on the point of breaking up. I met the guys from Roxy though which was a positive thing. Including Roxy’s management, who managed me for a while.
Andrew:
Ultimately, what led to the breakdown during the sessions for the band’s third album, culminating in the demise of Sharks?
Chris:
Island Records heard the rough mixes of the third album and dropped us.
Andrew:
After the demise of Sharks, you had a solo hit with “Motor Bikin'” in 1975, and were backed by The Vibrators on 1976’s “Pogo Dancing.” If you can, dig into the success you experienced as solo artists, and subsequently hiring The Vibrators to back you.
Chris:
Malcolm McLaren suggested I hire The Vibrators. I wasn’t the main writer for Sharks. I started writing more songs after I left. Maybe if Sharks had recorded “Motor Bikin’,” we wouldn’t have broken up, but I can’t see Sharks doing a Pop song.
Andrew:
You’ve got a long-standing friendship with Chrissie Hynde and often would perform with The Pretenders in the early 80s. Was there ever any talk of you joining the band full time?
Chris:
Yes, that’s true. No one ever said anything to me!
Andrew:
Two of the most interesting credits on your long resume is Tom Wait’s album, Rain Dogs, and Roger Daltry’s, Parting Should Be Painless. How did you end up working with Tom, and Roger, and what were the sessions like?
Chris:
I don’t choose all my projects. If I’m free and they ask me, I usually do them. I’m lucky to have been asked to do some great jobs, including Tom and Roger.
Andrew:
The 1980s also saw you record with Paul McCartney on Tug Of War, Pipes Of Peace, and Give My Regards To Broad Street. How did you get the gig with Paul initially?
Chris:
Pretty simple, I think Paul had seen me live with [Bryan] Ferry.
Andrew:
Sharks did reform again in 1993 for Like A Van Parked On A Dark Curve. Take me through the reformation, and subsequent delays in releasing the record.
Chris:
I know nothing about the background regarding the delays of that record coming out. We were lucky to get Pete Thomas to play drums…great drummer.
Andrew:
In 2001, you joined a reformed Roxy Music in a touring capacity. Were you ever asked to come on as an official member?
Chris:
No, I was a hired hand.
Andrew:
As for Sharks, Killers Of The Deep was released in 2017 and was followed by Ready Set Go in 2018, which were both well received. Where do things stand today for Sharks?
Chris:
We tried doing some live shows recently, but there’s not enough of a following to make it work. Steve (Snips) is currently working on a Sharks movie made up of old clips, and interviews.
Andrew:
You’ve got a long history both in the studio and on the road with Bryan Ferry. Will we continue to you see you touring and recording with Bryan as we move forward?
Chris:
Yes. If he asks me!
Andrew:
While you’re most well-known for your session work and Sharks, you’ve had a long solo career as well. Looking back, what are some of your favorite albums, and overall moments as a solo artist?
My albums? Hurt still sounds good. Click Clack and Pearls are pretty good too.
Andrew:
What’s next for you in all lanes, Chris?
Chris:
I hope we can get back to full-time touring again.
Interested in learning more about Chris Spedding & Sharks? Check out the link below:
Dig this interview? Check out the full catalog of VWMusic Interviews, by Andrew Daly, here: www.vinylwritermusic.com/interviews
