A Tribute to Tony McPhee of The Groundhogs (1944-2023)

[@marksieczko7766]

RIP Tony McPhee. Incredible guitarist, horribly underrated lyrist, great live. Never sold out. One of a kind.

[@artslife3876]

Im heartbroken 💔

[@TheRockerxx69]

Absolutely great guitarist and band!! I m 71. Followed them since 1970

[@AC-jj7hf]

So sad. Saw him in the early '70's ,'80's & 00's - Still play Split, TCFTB, Blues Obituary, Crosscut Saw to this day. Brilliant musician and top bloke too. RIP Tony, thanks for the memories

[@realcapitalist1462]

Great tribute. Saw them play in Birmingham 50 (ash) years ago. Thank Christ for the Bomb and Split, wore 'em out! Tony TS McPhee, a hero!!

[@snowfiresunwind]

I saw them live during that period promoting those classics albums and have never forgotten those gigs - so powerful.

[@mckayuk]

First live Band I ever saw at Edinburgh Odeon 1974 with them huge speakers that were featured on one of the album sleeves. I was just learning guitar then and long before internet & youtube and couldn't fathom how to play one single song which changed when I happened across Guitar Tundra YT channel and a cool english guy that breaks down how to play almost every Groundhogs song so that even I can play now a few of my favorites (well the basic chords at least, no way can I ever replicate his solos). Saw him live again as Groundhogs with different line up in 90s playing a plush Hamburg Brothel with red sofas and the stage with a large mirror behind which was surreal. I liked TCFTB, Splitt, Hogwash, WWSTW, the most and what can I say but RIP Tony "Tough Shit" McPhee and thanks for the music you gave us.

[@marcsabatier]

Great video, thanks. The first Zemaitis metal front (ungraved) guitar was made for Tony. The second one was Ron Wood’s.

[@garyh.238]

Nice tribute to the late great Tony McPhee. A wonderful guitarist with a unique style. RIP Tony TS McPhee.

[@JasonDavies-vf3kl]

RIP T S McPhee,great memories of fab gigs at Swansea Patti Pavilion. Met TS a few times and always had time for a drink and chat.Will cherish my Groundhog albums for ever.

[@crazymanmichael100]

When i saw the headline, i thought oh no not Tony McPhee, we've lost another legend. Saw them many times in the seventies. Thanks Pete for your tribute, great guitarist and band.

[@davidlynch433]

They are a favourite band of mine looks like I'm going to blast out Split and Hogwash in tribute to Tony TS Mcphee RIP Tony.

[@axelheyst2397]

Sad news. I've been a Groundhogs fan since 1972. Split, Hogwash, The Mighty Groundhogs, etc. Played the shit out of those records. I'll miss Tony. RIP, Man.

[@aviationlba747]

I was listening to the Groundhogs just the other day! Rest in peace man.

[@MarwinEthel-Mollusk]

A fantastic guitarist and composer and an underrated singer. I love the 7 first albums. A bluesman with an open mind. With his power blues band, he made two first fantastic bluesy albums leading to hard, prog, funky ambitious conceptual albums. A nice person too, an animal lover, with always a friendly smile when I see his video interviews. Thank Christ for the Groundhougs and his tremendous leader ! RIP

[@joebutler4784]

Great Tribute. RIP Tony McPhee. I’ve been listening to the Blues Obituary album a lot lately. Really good. Great band and a great guitarist.

[@alanthorne3921]

One of favourite guitarists as a teen growing up in the 70s.Either Split or Solid was my first lp and blew me away.Spookily I ordered Live at the Astoria dvd off eBay and it landed the day he died.Tony played a Strat and a 61 SG”Les Paul”.They were an SG shape but were called a Les Paul without Les’s authority after the classic Les Paul shape guitars were temporarily discontinued.I knew a bloke who had one ,it had a small plate between neck p/u and neck with Les Paul inscribed as well as the logo on headstock.R.I.P.Tony.Gonna poor my self a beer and have Groundhog afternoon

[@morganlefey]

I had the incredible privilege of attending many TS McPhee and The Groundhogs gigs in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Tony McPhee was uncompromising! He delivered!

[@umbertoyltp]

Thank you for putting Tony McPhee in the spotlight! ❤

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Thanks for the tribute Pete, got to see him just the once, and managed to speak to him, and what a lovely man he truly was, he really will be missed.

[@colinerswell7490]

I was lucky enough to have seen the Groundhogs six times in the early 70s. Always excellent with Tony's wonderful blues guitar, Always front stage. They always performed Cherry Red . RIp Tony.

[@stephenmortimer1653]

Thanks for a lovely tribute Pete. I had the pleasure of meeting Tony in 1998 after The Groundhogs played a gig close to my home in Hull (UK). He spent time with myself and a couple of friends discussing his early years and the influence of the blues on his music. I've been a fan of the band since the 1970's so it was a great honour and pleasure at the time to meet such a lovely, sociable and articulate human being. Such a sad loss all round, R.I.P. Tony, you and your music will never be forgotten.

[@Groundhogfan1962]

The reason I became a Musician.RIP Tony and Thank you

[@rayboreham2648]

Lovely tribute to a great musician and band. Live, they were unstoppable. R.I.P. Tony.

[@TheGenreman]

It doesn’t get any better than that Trio of albums, thank Christ, split & who will save….

[@morganlefey]

I had the incredible pleasure of attending many TS McPhee gigs in the ‘60s and’70s. Tony McPhee was uncompromising! He delivered!

[@alexhamilton4084]

I saw them live twice. Once in Leeds and once at Stonehenge. The loudest band I ever heard. Awesome guitarist. Sad day.

[@BlackMoore82]

A fitting tribute, well done Pete. Saw Earthless cover the Groundhogs' 'Cherry Red' a couple times.

[@jasongaylor2232]

Such an underrated band here in the U.S. Thank Christ, Split and the archive release of Live At Leeds '71 are all essential listening for Brit power blues rock.

[@jimhawkes]

Saw The Groundhogs several times back in the day they were absolutely great and Tony's guitar playing was ferocious. Another sad day.

[@ianpickles4485]

had a beer with him and loved his guitar work what a nice man

[@stephaneherringtoniowritin4986]

R.I.P. Tony🤘💜Keep on Rocking mate

[@shaunogle530]

A talented writer and guitarist. Another of my school day hero’s passes. Every album contains a gem . Hogwash and Who will,save the world are particular favourites of mine. RIP Tony, and thanks for many years of enjoyment which lives on in a masterful discography.

[@Walesktf]

So sad. Very under-rated guitarist and leader of a very under-rated band. Thanks for the tribute Pete, much appreciated. I saw him last in 2009, he didn't look in the best of health then and was recuperating from I think, his second stroke. R.I.P. Tony

[@marygaleac]

Thank you for this….Cherry Red……never forget the first time I heard that as a young teenager….great musician…..we all succumb eventually….

[@thealternative9580]

They’re a really cool underground heavy blues acid rock counterculture anarchist band. Only discovered them a couple years ago. Really good shit.

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Thanks, Pete, for this tribute. Know they are tough to do, but they being a sense of order in times when needed. R.I.P. Tony, and thanks for all your music.

[@Brian-jv5me]

Nice tribute Pete! I was lucky enough to see the Groundhogs open for Humble Pie in St Catharines Ontario quite a few years ago. Wonderful double bill. Cheers Brian

[@jeffreywebb7932]

Groundhogs👍RIP Tony McPhee

[@deleteend666]

another Legend has left us,another underrated band,thank christ for Tony Mcphee.

[@LinnyRaven]

'Nachez Is Burning'. What a great track to hear his skills

[@markspooner1224]

Fine obit for the great man. RIP Tony.

[@simpleman5688]

Thanks Pete. Split! is an excellent album. The whole thing is great-“It’s a low down dog, a dirty groundhog, been rootin round my back door..”

[@nsw9154]

saw the Groundhogs in 1970 playing at our local youth club during their Split Album Toure we actualy helped cary the gear in then got told by managment that we hat to que up outside untill the doors opened R.I.P. Tony one of the most underated Guitarists of all time

[@analoguesoul4594]

One of the true (relatively) unsung musical heroes of the era and an excellent human being too. Saw him solo at the Running Horse pub in Nottingham in the 90s - absolute beast on guitar - I found it curious that such a well-known musician would operate as a total loner, moving all his equipment by himself! R.I.P Tony

[@danguee1]

I have to confess I've only really listened to Hogwash - courtesy of my brother just leaving it lying around. But, my god, what a creative force he was! A guitarist the likes of which never appeared again - so distinctive, great singer, fantastic lyricist...

[@aerogray2500]

What a lovely tribute. Well done Pete.

[@stephenparker9434]

Nice Tribute to Tony McPhee. Received quite a bit of press coverage here in UK, where deaths of blues rock artists of the 1970s from less than major bands largely go unnoticed in mainstream media. But not on SoT. Quite rightly, the Groundhogs were acclaimed and respected as being one of best British blues rock bands of the 1970, with albums like 'Split' and 'Thank Christ..' Tony being a fine exponent of the genre as leader, writer, singer and guitarist of the band. I've seen them a couple of times in the long past. Last time Tony did an accoustic solo set at the Colne Rhythm & Blues festival a few years back. I will keep that in memory of his passing. Still, the band left a legacy of great blues rock to be listened too, and concerts on KZbin to be viewed.

[@clivejohnson1680]

Nice words. I've only found tributes to him in the Guardian and here on you tube. Where have you seen the others because it's annoying me that no one else appears to have done so. My two favourite band alongside Wishbone Ash. Rest in peace Tony TS. The best of the best. I spoke to him s few times after gigs, a great down to earth guy. Loved the man, love his music, voice, lyrics, guitar and mellotron playing. You'll not be forgotten Mr. McPhee.

[@stephenparker9434]

@@clivejohnson1680 This is an interesting snippet I got from someone in Preston. Seems Tony was an very unpretentious guy despite being an acclaimed unsung guitar hero: Tony and the band stayed at my flat in westcliff (Preston) in the 80s once After playing clouds and taking me up on my offer of when they play up north to stay over, They took me down to the conti (pub) for a few jars and a friend of mine said he's a dead ringer for mcphee, when he was told he rushed home for his groundhog albums to be signed, tony was a gent ,rock in peace sir !

[@justamops]

Oh, this is sad to hear. Just a week ago I bought a CD of his first solo album, The Two Sides Of Tony (T.S.) McPhee. That early ‘70s Groundhogs is arresting stuff, and I need to get that live album. Another thing to mention is that he went proggy at one point, incorporating mellotron on the Groundhogs’ “Earth Shanty” and elsewhere, and synths on the sidelong avant-garde electronic track “The Hunt” on the solo album I mentioned above. Psych fans should check out “Machines” by his 1966 band Herbal Mixture. And the vinyl of Who Will Save the World has an awesome foldout comic by the great Neal Adams featuring the Groundhogs as superheroes! Thanks for this tribute.

[@alexmerziotis4981]

R.I.P tony.

[@clevebaker8399]

Hogwash!! What a band!! What a guitarist! RIP!!

[@markknight7780]

Thanks for this tribute Pete. I wasn’t really sure how well known this band was. I only have Who Will Save The World, I came across it as a kid, not really understanding what it was. It was long before I heard any real blues rock. I’ve grown to love the album, but just haven’t got around to getting more of their stuff, although I always meant to. A KZbin search a few years ago turned up very little live footage. So I don’t really know a lot about them. I only recently realized that they were not called “The Mighty” Groundhogs as the cover suggests. I’ve definitely got some homework to do.

[@risingstar7161]

Great guitarist and a legend RIP

[@avrilconacher]

Sorry to hear of his passing. A fine player and a great band especially live R.I.P.

[@DIGITALWOLF1]

I Saw the Groundhogs in the 70's in CHESTER UK a great great band R.I.P Tony McPhee😢

[@DanScribla]

Yes the Groundhogs were an amazing band. First LP my Dad gave me was Thank Christ. 30 years later, I still love the Groundhogs.

[@CptMark]

Spinned a lot of "Live at Leeds '71" in the last few months. Great guitar player. Thanks for helping me notice.

[@mordrid11man15]

Great review Pete, they were a great Blues Rock band no doubt about it

[@matweb8195]

I'm sad that he's moved on, but happy that he and the band managed to crank out some great music. I only managed to see The Goundhogs once (2002 I think) even at that stage in their career they still kicked ass!

[@notabillyjoelfan]

RIP, to a man that should be a household name for his writing and guitar talents. His playing is up there with any of the Brit contemporary axemen.. Clapton, Beck, Page, Blackmore. I do believe that, while I like McPhee's vox just fine, they would have been bigger with a stronger vocalist. I think they could have made a few hits and had some commercial success.

[@martyn26.2]

He made great music and was a really nice man. What more do you want? He will be sadly missed. Every rock fan, regardless of age, should have Thank Christ for the Bomb and Split in their collection.

[@tonylocke1214]

1:00 don’t forget that the Groundhogs also notably, toured the UK with John Lee Hooker, who wrote Groundhog Blues, after which the band was named. TS was a huge fan of JLH, and wrote a number of songs in honour of, and/or in the style of the great man. Tony’s version of Groundhog Blues has to be experienced to be believed. A masterpiece, and a beautiful memorial to a great, and influential artist. RIP Tony TS McPhee.

[@kzustang]

What a band. Tremendous guitar. Really killer killer hard blues. Everybody knows Split, but their Live at Leeds 1971 album is probably the best live album ever. It's not just the solos and the heaviness of their blues playing. It's their great songs. Some really great songwiriting. Really weird and out there. A bit like the Nirvana weird chord progressions. Love them.

[@justamops]

I’ve always considered the early ‘70s Groundhogs music a sort of precursor to grunge - it’s similarly heavy, churning, and serious.

[@notabillyjoelfan]

Status People and Junkman are 90s alternative/grunge from a time machine

[@kzustang]

@@justamops exactly!!

[@davidevans2484]

Along with Rory Gallagher my favourite guitarist. Both down to earth, humble, and very talented guys. I still regularly play the Split album, and in particular the final track Groundhog, a solo slide guitar classic in my book. RIP Tony Mcphee.

[@georgenye1165]

One of a kind no one will match him again

[@mikedown3219]

Master of the wah wah pedal. Sad is the Hunter still one of my favourite songs

[@czarevich]

Nice tribute. I think I read famed Seattle producer Jack Endino encouraged his artists to listen to the Groundhogs… and it makes sense as you can hear the Groundhogs in the Seattle sound.

[@thealternative9580]

Interesting I’ll have to research that.

[@justamops]

Very interesting. As I replied to another post, I’ve considered the Groundhogs’ early ‘70s music a precursor to grunge, but I never realized there was an actual connection.

[@clivejohnson1680]

That's true. He produced a single for him. Would've been an album too if it wasn't for his heart attacks. He said it was going to be titled "At the Third Stroke". Mr. Tony TS McPhee, a true legend. Miss you, thank Christ we have your fine body of music

[@steveepp7152]

Who Will Save The Earth now that Tony McPhee is gone ? He’s Split to the Blues Obituary and that’s no Hogwash. He was Scratching the Surface of music with his Solid guitar playing and his solos sounded like a Crosscut Saw. In time his body will turn in a Black Diamond…and we’ll rejoice and Thank Christ for the (Band) 🪦 RIP

[@OutRAjious]

a noble man ..

[@rogernevin7461]

Very Sad to hear of Tony McPhee's passing.I have Blues Obituary (Daze of the Weak),TCFTB (Garden),Split ( Cherry Red), WWSTW (Death of the Sun.Bog roll Blues) on original LP format. I saw them live at Newcastle City Hall 1st Dec.1971,52 years ago! They were brilliant. Other Guitarists i have seen live include Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page (2),Ritchie Blackmore (3), Peter Green, Paul Kossof, Pete Haycock, Adrian Gurvitz and many more. Tony is included in very illustrious company and rightly so. RIP Blues Legend .

[@enfieldhbs2204]

NICE TRIBUTE,He backed John lee Hooker in the early 60s,met him at the Standard pub Walthamstow modest kind guy ,man what a great player ,song writer. joins RORY for A JAM.

[@Dafalex22]

A.K.A. the "White Hendrix"........old friend.........RIP 🖤♠

[@tatedavis2016]

That’s too bad, what a beast of a player he was. I’m going to be blasting Split and Thank Christ For The Bomb the next week or so.

[@LordMelbury1953]

He was a great man of the early British blues from the midlands. Groundhogs were a classic band of the early seventies rock era with great albums. But Tony wanted back to the more pure blues, but i think the basic soundwas always blues based in some way. Hes off to 3744 James Rd, RIP musician guitar player , we'll all meet again.😊

[@brandycat8513]

On Crosscut Saw, Tony's guitar work is pushed to the fore in the mix. Standout musician and a really authentic guy too,

[@שאולנקר]

NEVER HEARD ABOUT HIM AND HIS BAND. SOMETIMES THE DEATH OF A MUSICIAN GIVES A REASON TO LISTEN TO HIS OR HER MATERIAL. I WILL LISTEN TO THEM. RIP TONY MCPHEE

[@laverdabru]

You will be amazed, I got into them in the late '70's, saw them many times, met him at couple of gigs.

[@JoyDivision88]

Saw them in 1971 touring the Split album. Possibly the loudest band I had experienced at that time. Deafening but great. Eccentric Man shook the foundations.

[@markbaumbargt3430]

You forgot to mention that "Who Will Save the World" included a small comic book by the late great comic book legend Neal Adams.

[@NEVAB4]

Check out guitar solos on sad is the hunter and 3754 James rd, both on hogwash. Really brilliant, huge fan

[@rikgay857]

RIP ledge

[@markkonzerowsky8871]

Definitely up there with Edgar Broughton in the progressive heavy hippie blues scene. RIP Tony.

[@rabnori4836]

❤

[@evileyes4070]

Saw Tony McPhee guitarist and vocalist from Groundhogs playing in a pub called the Lady Godiva Coventry. The guitar was to low in the mix. I went up and said " Tony the guitar needs to go up." He told me F Off. Blues Obituary is my favourite 😎😍

[@chrislewis-n3v]

sad to hear of death of tony mcphee-first lp i ever bought was the brilliant hogwash, made some other great records, split,solid, and the underrated albums crosscut saw and black diamond-perhaps time for people to rediscover the groundhogs

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

RIP Tony. Thanks for acknowledging, Pete. We featured their "Thank Christ For The Bomb" album not long ago, played the whole first side here, complete with lyrics displayed kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp-0fqGur66lrK8

[@urs-wernermerkli3035]

Who will save the world now?

[@ianpickles4485]

fucdkin legend

[@gabrielheftye973]

Sad that this happened....Thank Christ for The Bomb, and for the Groundhogs..Eccentric Man, Garden , Cherry Red, Earth is not Room Enough, Split, a lot of songs

[@postmanlondon]

I missed Tony McPhee passing away I don’t know how except I don’t watch MSM anymore

[@brucybabyy7355]

Played obit thank christ split who will save in honor

[@DeanUSAMale]

"Morning's Eye" by Tony McPhee... from his 1973 solo album, "Two Sides of Tony McPhee"... kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3_Pk2mHm7qAnqM en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_McPhee

[@Vinylfiend60]

Pete I watched a few videos of the Ground Hogs after watching some of your video . Not everybody likes everything I know but what I saw was really terrible. What albums would you recommend I listen to that might change my mind. They sound like a jam band that mostly improvise their parts it sounds disjointed to me. Thanks 😊

[@sotdude7]

The four I recommended in the video…also go watching my ranking the albums episode.

[@Vinylfiend60]

@@sotdude7 thanks Pete I appreciate you taking the time to personally answer. Love the channel.

[@Mark-ro5zg]

Never heard of this band or guitarist.

[@thedrugstorecowboy2948]

Now you have

[@evileyes4070]

These guys are better theJimi Hendrix band

[@milanmoravec7244]

R,I,P tóny thanks from Bratislava

[@igolfjtweetler4097]

RIP Tony, my step father was a big fan and got me listening.