Toe Fat "Two" 1971 on the Sunday Morning Album!

Toe Fat were an English rock band active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep and of Jethro Tull. During their brief existence, they released two full-length studio albums.
Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett and, in the course of its two-year, two-album career, featured lead guitarist and keyboardist Ken Hensley; bassist John Glascock (who replaced original bassist John Konas (Joseph Stanley Konas)); and drummer Lee Kerslake. After the first album, Kerslake and Hensley were replaced by Brian Glascock (drums) and Alan Kendall (guitar) respectively.
The band was founded by Bennett, a former pop star, after the dissolution of the Cliff Bennett Band. He teamed with the former Gods' keyboard player Hensley, who drafted in fellow ex-Gods' members Kerslake and Glascock. The name was decided over dinner when Bennett and his manager attempted to create the most disgusting band name possible.
Toe Fat was signed to the record label, Rare Earth, in the US. In the UK, the band signed with EMI, who released their first album on the Parlophone label, and the second on Regal Zonophone.
The self titled first album flopped commercially, but gained considerable critical praise. Such was the stir that after their first single, "Workin' Nights", (the B-side was an early Elton John composition "Bad Side of the Moon") they were booked for a tour supporting Derek and the Dominos in the US. The album was also notable for its cover designed by the recently formed graphic art company Hipgnosis. The cover showed a beach scene with four people who have large toes superimposed over their heads. For the US release, a man and a topless woman in the background were replaced by the image of a sheep. The photo of the band on the back of the US album shows Cliff Bennett, Alan Kendall, John Glascock, and Lee Kerslake even though Alan Kendall did not play on the first album. This was an interim line-up, and Lee Kerslake would soon depart also before the second album was recorded.
Hensley quit the band to form Uriah Heep. Alan Kendall replaced Hensley, before their second album, Toe Fat Two. Bennett admitted in the sleeve notes of his Rebellion album that when asked to join Uriah Heep, he "probably should have joined them". Kerslake left to join the National Head Band, before also joining Uriah Heep in 1971. Glascock later joined Jethro Tull. Another ex-Gods man, Brian Glascock, became the new drummer.
Jonathan Peel (not the DJ) produced Toe Fat 2, after hearing them on several BBC radio sessions, including one for Terry Wogan. However, this LP also flopped, despite more radio airplay, and a reasonably successful US tour promoting it. Following these successive failures, their management and labels informed the group that they could no longer fund them.
Bennett recorded Rebellion, before quitting the music industry to become a shipping magnate. He used to occasionally tour with the Rebel Rousers, until returning to music in the 2000s, issuing the album Loud And Clear in 2002, followed by Nearly Retired in 2009.
Alan Kendall and Brian Glascock went on to play with, and write for, the Bee Gees.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

Toe Fat were an English rock band active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep and of Jethro Tull. During their brief existence, they released two full-length studio albums. Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett and, in the course of its two-year, two-album career, featured lead guitarist and keyboardist Ken Hensley; bassist John Glascock (who replaced original bassist John Konas (Joseph Stanley Konas)); and drummer Lee Kerslake. After the first album, Kerslake and Hensley were replaced by Brian Glascock (drums) and Alan Kendall (guitar) respectively. The band was founded by Bennett, a former pop star, after the dissolution of the Cliff Bennett Band. He teamed with the former Gods' keyboard player Hensley, who drafted in fellow ex-Gods' members Kerslake and Glascock. The name was decided over dinner when Bennett and his manager attempted to create the most disgusting band name possible. Toe Fat was signed to the record label, Rare Earth, in the US. In the UK, the band signed with EMI, who released their first album on the Parlophone label, and the second on Regal Zonophone. The self titled first album flopped commercially, but gained considerable critical praise. Such was the stir that after their first single, "Workin' Nights", (the B-side was an early Elton John composition "Bad Side of the Moon") they were booked for a tour supporting Derek and the Dominos in the US. The album was also notable for its cover designed by the recently formed graphic art company Hipgnosis. The cover showed a beach scene with four people who have large toes superimposed over their heads. For the US release, a man and a topless woman in the background were replaced by the image of a sheep. The photo of the band on the back of the US album shows Cliff Bennett, Alan Kendall, John Glascock, and Lee Kerslake even though Alan Kendall did not play on the first album. This was an interim line-up, and Lee Kerslake would soon depart also before the second album was recorded. Hensley quit the band to form Uriah Heep. Alan Kendall replaced Hensley, before their second album, Toe Fat Two. Bennett admitted in the sleeve notes of his Rebellion album that when asked to join Uriah Heep, he "probably should have joined them". Kerslake left to join the National Head Band, before also joining Uriah Heep in 1971. Glascock later joined Jethro Tull. Another ex-Gods man, Brian Glascock, became the new drummer. Jonathan Peel (not the DJ) produced Toe Fat 2, after hearing them on several BBC radio sessions, including one for Terry Wogan. However, this LP also flopped, despite more radio airplay, and a reasonably successful US tour promoting it. Following these successive failures, their management and labels informed the group that they could no longer fund them. Bennett recorded Rebellion, before quitting the music industry to become a shipping magnate. He used to occasionally tour with the Rebel Rousers, until returning to music in the 2000s, issuing the album Loud And Clear in 2002, followed by Nearly Retired in 2009. Alan Kendall and Brian Glascock went on to play with, and write for, the Bee Gees.

[@DoreenBellDotan]

I hear a lot of proto riffs and vocals that would become more defined and definitive in other groups.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@DoreenBellDotan Yes, no doubt these guys were innovative and influential! They could have been big if they had a better name! Haha

[@robertjackson2663]

I had both Toe fat albums ,rare as hens teeth.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@robertjackson2663 I've still got my two! I bought a lot of records in the 80's when everyone was switching to CD! Haha I post an album every Sunday morning, and if you want to check out any of the ones I've already posted I have a playlist on my channel.

[@RichGalbraith]

Cool music and history on the members, also like the blinking light, I had made several of those back in the 70's along with a hexagon table with the lights and controller for music.........

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@RichGalbraith Thanks Rich, I'm glad you enjoyed this album! I have a video of side 2 also. The light is cool, my Dad had it a long time ago, and he gave it to me in the early 80's.

[@grc7231]

Awesome.... Thanks.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@grc7231 You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed this album! Side 2 is on another video, be sure to listen to that one too!

[@robertruck5501]

Anything with Hensley and Kerslakes names on is bound to be phenomenal.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@robertruck5501 I agree, but those guys were only on the first album. By the time this one (their second album) was recorded, Ken left to form Uriah Heep and Lee joined the National Head Band before also joining Uriah Heep. Either way this is a really good album, I actually like it better than their first album.

[@robertruck5501]

@@allenscarsandstuff The blues/rock is way cool. I knew Hensley was in Toe Fat, but I didn't know Kerslake was. Kerslake played on Ken's first solo albums. I had them both on vinyl.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@robertruck5501 I've got "Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf " but I don't have any of his other solo records. Lee and Ken were in a band called The Gods before Toe Fat, I have one of their albums too.

[@robertruck5501]

@allenscarsandstuff proud words was an awesome album.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@robertruck5501 Yes it is! I'm sure I'll post it on here eventually, but tomorrow's album is a Paul Kossoff (guitarist from Free) album called Backstreet Crawler.

[@hendrixnut64]

Toe Fat formed after Joe Konas left The Gods for Canada. He is an AMAZING guitarist and was a big hit here in the Windsor Ontario area from 1970 until today

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@hendrixnut64 Very cool, thanks for the info! I've got an album by The Gods too! I didn't know what he did after that.

[@johnapplegate1289]

I saw Toe Fat open for Dereck And The Dominos at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. 1970.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@johnapplegate1289 That's very cool!

[@anthonynapier4668]

Sunday at Allen's,,😀👍👍

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@anthonynapier4668 Another rockin Sunday! 🪨🎸🎶

[@Allan-zb7mb]

Cool blasting hard rock except the last standard blues song.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@Allan-zb7mb Thanks Allan, from another Allen! Haha Don't forget to check out side 2!

[@ds440RB]

What a terrible name and cover for a great album haha, I really like this one! That was a strange beginning like you said, but then it was really good, the last two songs were my favorites, but I like all of them! Thank you for posting these!

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@ds440RB Thanks Dylan, I'm glad you like this one!

[@ds440RB]

@allenscarsandstuff You're welcome Allen!

[@egilbokn6097]

Uriah Heep was established and had recorded most of "Very Éavy, Very Úmble" when Ken Hensley came as a new member.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@egilbokn6097 Cool, thanks for the info! I have that album too, but I didn't know Ken wasn't on all of the songs. Or did he overdub his parts? Uriah Heep is a great band, I have most of their albums, I've also got albums from other bands that those guys were in, like The Gods, Toe Fat, Lucifer's Friend, and even a Ken Hensley solo record.

[@SergioCabezas-ep5zf]

👍

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@SergioCabezas-ep5zf Thanks Sergio! Here's side two of the album: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5fSe4mdetKearMsi=p2BVee5r3ycSwwHU

[@thomasthurston6656]

It sounds a little like Hendricks Foxy Lady.

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@thomasthurston6656 Cool!

[@brianhammer5107]

HENDRIX

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@brianhammer5107 🎸 Here's side two! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5fSe4mdetKearMsi=REtOvac7g-H-xRTP

[@allenscarsandstuff]

@@thomasthurston6656 Here's a link to side two! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5fSe4mdetKearMsi=REtOvac7g-H-xRTP

[@brianhammer5107]

@@allenscarsandstuff I bought the Toe Fat albums waaaay back in the Seventies