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Alan Warner (musician)

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Alan Warner (aka Allan Warner) (born 21 April 1947, Paddington in West London, England) is an English musician who has been active from around the mid-1960s. He was a member of groups such as The Ramong Sound, The Foundations, Pluto, and The Polecats.

Alan Warner
Warner in 1968
Background information
Also known asAllan Warner
Born (1947-04-21) 21 April 1947 (age 77)
OriginPaddington, West London, England
GenresRock, Soul, R&B, Pop
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1961–present
LabelsPye Records, Dawn Records
Member ofEdison Lighthouse
Formerly ofThe Skeletones, The Ramong Sound, The Foundations, Pluto, The Polecats

He was one of the founding members of The Foundations who would have hits with "Baby, Now That I've Found You", "Back On My Feet Again" and "Build Me Up Buttercup" and "In the Bad Bad Old Days (Before You Loved Me)". He played rhythm guitar and lead guitar as well as contributing to the song writing efforts of the group and backing both of the band's lead singers Clem Curtis and later Colin Young.[citation needed]

Background

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Alan Warner was born to parents John and Mary Warner on April 21, 1947, in Paddington. Warner is the youngest child of four children (two brothers and a sister).[1]

As a boy he originally wanted to play trumpet but ended up with a toy accordion. He started playing guitar at the age of 11, after his parents bought him a cheap Spanish guitar for Christmas, and he soon realised, listening to the twangy tones of Duane Eddy, Hank Marvin, The Ventures, he wanted to do music professionally.[2]

At some stage he was employed as a printer.[1] According to the back cover of the Foundations' album Digging the Foundations (1969), Warner is 5 ft 4in.[3] In 1967, he was living in Elstree, Hertfordshire with his parents.[1] Alan claims to have made guitars out of old bed frames.[1]

Musical career

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In the early 1960s, after leaving school at the age of fourteen, Warner played with several semi-professional groups playing local gigs, before becoming a professional musician two years later. Some of the groups he played in were The Leesiders Sect, The Skeletones and The Line-up, a popular Dublin-based group.

His first band was called The Select, a band that mainly covered Rnb songs. The band entered a Beat music competition in 1965, and with a rule that each act had to perform an original song, Warner penned his first song "Red, White And Blue For You".[4]

After a short stint in the Skeletones, he moved to the south of Ireland. Warner nearly joined a group called The Black Eagles, which included Phil Lynott and Brian Downey, both later members of Thin Lizzy, but he turned it down.[4][5]

The Ramong Sound

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In 1966, Warner placed an ad in a music magazine looking for work in a band. Soul music was coming into England and thought it would be nice to join a soul type band.[6] He got a reply and then passed an audition with a black band who were playing all over London.[7] He got another call and turned up a pub at Edmonton where the band was. The band didn't have any gigs but Warner felt that they had some great ideas.[8] So for some reason, he decided to go with the Ramong,[9] and became a member of The Ramong Sound,[4] a soul and ska group fronted by Raymond Morrison AKA Ramong which also featured Clem Curtis on vocals.[10][11] Another member was Nigerian born star trumpeter, Mike Falana.[12][13] They ended up leasing the Butterfly club.[14] Warner would be present though the band's name changes and evolution.[15] Morrison ended up being imprisoned for six months.[16][17] They did try and enlist Rod Stewart and they jammed with him but Stewart was heading into other genres. They did manage to have Arthur Brown in their group for a couple of months[11] where he shared lead with Clem Curtis before kicking off his own band the Crazy World of Arthur Brown.[18]

The Foundations

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They were eventually discovered by Ron Fairway who managed the group, The Ways and Means Fairway introduced them to a businessman called Barry Class.[11][19] This group apparently were offered the chance to record "Baby Now That I've Found You" but felt that it wasn't for them. So, The Foundations with Clem Curtis on lead vocals and Warner on guitar recorded it and it became a massive hit.[20]

 
The Foundations in 1968 (Warner furthest at left)

Warner co-wrote "New Direction" with Peter Macbeth and Tony Gomesz, which was included on the B side of their hit "Build Me Up Buttercup"[21][22] which was released in the earlier part of November, 1968.[23]

Digging the Foundations (album)

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By July 1969, the group's album Digging the Foundations had been released. It contained compositions Tony Macaulay and John Macleod as well as compositions by band members, Warner, Pete McBeth, Tony Gomesz, Colin Young, Pat Burke and Eric Allandale.[24]

In addition to "I Can Feel It", "My Little Chickadee", and the big hit "In the Bad Bad Old Days", it also featured "Till Night Brought Day" which Warner co-wrote with Peter Macbeth and Tony Gomesz.[25][26]

Further activities with The Foundations

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On Friday 19 July 1969, Warner's Fender Stratocaster was stolen while the group's van was being unloaded in Birmingham. This caused the group to delay their recording of the B side to their single, "Born to Live, Born to Die". As a result, the released of the single was delayed by a week.[27][28]

It had been noted by New Musical Express in the week ending 10 October 1970 that Colin Young, lead singer of The Foundations had left the group to pursue a solo career. He had already entered into a contract with Barry Class and was putting together his new group which was called Development.[29] The group then broke up at the end of the year.[30]

Pluto

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With The Foundations having broken up at the end of 1970, Warner had gone on to join the progressive rock band Pluto, who would sign up to the Dawn Label, a subsidiary of PYE.[31] The band was already formed and Warner had come in and replaced the previous guitarist.[32]

The Polecats

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It was noted in the February 7, 1983 issue of Record Business that Alan Warner was the new guitarist with the group The Polecats and the group after a year's absence had returned to the scene with a new single, "Make A Circuit With Me".[33]

Reconnection with Foundations members

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Warner later teamed up with original Foundations lead singer Clem Curtis to re-cut the original Foundations hits.[34] The result was Greatest Hits released on Double Play GRF176 in or around 1994. The recordings were produced and arranged by Keith Bateman and besides Warner on guitar and Curtis on lead vocals, featured Andy Bennett on Drums and Vince Cross on keyboards.[35][36]

In the late 1990s, due to the popularity of the hit film, There's Something About Mary and the revived interest in the song, "Build Me Up Buttercup", Warner reformed a version of The Foundations that featured Colin Young, and another former Foundations member, Steve Bingham. After Colin Young left another singer Hue Montgomery was brought in to front the group.[37] and they toured throughout the UK and down under in Australia.[citation needed]

Alan Warner's Foundations

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In 2012, Warner and his Foundations had planned to take a mini tour. The exercise proved to be a success that they added more dates which included a date in Borehamwood in February.[38]

In May 2014, Warner's Foundations which was made up of himself on guitar and backing vocals, Hue Montgomery on lead vocals, Dave Lennox on keyboards, John Dee on bass and backing vocals, Pete Stroud on drums, Nick Payn on saxophone, and Matt Winch on trumpet were set to undertake the Superstars of Soul Tour which was to continue until August. Other artists were Geno Washington and Jaki Graham.[39]

An article about Warner and his Foundations ensemble appeared in the 8 February 2020 issue of the Ilkley Gazette. They were booked to appear at the King’s Hall at 7pm Friday, 28 February. The line up at the time was Hue Montgomery on lead vocals, Alan Warner on lead guitar and backing vocals, Paul Hirsch on keyboards, Roger Nicholas on bass and backing vocals, Pete Stroud on drums, Nick Payn on saxophone and Backing Vocals), and Matt Winch on Trumpet.[40]

As of August 2022, Warner was still playing venues with Hue Montgomery as the vocalist for his version of The Foundations.[41]

Further activities

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In 2010, his book 100 Lead Licks For Guitar was published.[42] In January, 2017, Warner, Iain Houndog Terry and other artists were appearing at the Back In Our Rock ‘N’ Roll Days show which was headlined 1960s star Billie Davis known for the hit "Tell Him".[43]

Warner got together with bassist Roger Nicolas, vocalist Terry Rice-Milton, tambourine player Martyn McCoy, backing vocalist Nancy Ann Lee, drummer Tristan Long and vocalist Stefan Long. And from different locations they recorded their version of the Frank Wilson northern soul classic "Do I Love You". The clip was uploaded to Youtube on 15 January, 2021.[44]

In 2022, the three CD compilation Am I Groovin' You was released on the Cherry Red Records subsidiary, Strawberry (cat# CRJAM011T). The liner notes by Lois Wilson were based on a fresh interview with Warner.[45]

On 20 January 2024, Warner joined Edison Lighthouse.[46]

Bibliography

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As well as being a musician / guitarist / guitar teacher, Warner is also an author of various guitar instruction books and instructional videos that include How To Play Rock Blues Guitar.[47] The first book he wrote was called The Guitar Cook Book, the first of a succession of about 30 similar books and videos.[48][citation needed] He has also played on releases by Bob Mortimore and The Bobby Graham band.[49]

Publications

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  • The Blues Guitar, By Alan Warner, Published by Waltons Mnf. Ltd, (1986)[50]
  • The Guitar Cookbook, By Alan Warner (Not officially published. Sold at venues)[51][citation needed]
  • 100 Lead Licks For Guitar, By Alan Warner, Omnibus Music Sales Limited, 2010 - ISBN 9781849383875[42]
  • How to Play Electric Blues Guitar, By Alan Warner - Music Sales America (January 1, 2000) - ISBN 978-0825617935[52]
  • Country Guitar Licks: Start Playing Series by Alan Warner - Music Sales America (2000) - ISBN 978-0825617867[53]

Further reading

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1967 - 7 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit!, * Allan Warner
  2. ^ Alan Warner Website Biography Archived 27 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "The Foundations – Digging The Foundations". Discogs. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, 22 July 2011 - Pluto interview with Paul Gardner & Alan Warner, You were in The Foundations and recorded four albums.
  5. ^ Irish Rock.org - Black Eagles
  6. ^ Vinyl Vibes, Aug 23, 2023 - Episode 31, Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations - 12:00
  7. ^ Vinyl Vibes, Aug 23, 2023 - Episode 31, Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations - 12:42
  8. ^ Vinyl Vibes, Aug 23, 2023 - Episode 31, Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations - 13:05
  9. ^ Vinyl Vibes, Aug 23, 2023 - Episode 31, Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations - 13:50
  10. ^ Cherry Red Records, June 13, 2022 - THE FOUNDATIONS| Discover the ‘Pye’ recordings of The Foundations in this new collection – ‘Am I Groovin’ You’ Posted by Jack Clough
  11. ^ a b c It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, July 22, 2011 - Pluto interview with Paul Gardner & Alan Warner, You were in The Foundations and recorded four albums.
  12. ^ The Wire June 2019 (Issue 424) - Page 37 Mike Falana: The talented Nigerian trumpeter was a star of UK jazz until he vanished from the London scene. By Val Wilmer
  13. ^ The Musicians' Olympus - Trumpet Players, F, Mike Falana
  14. ^ Vinyl Vibes, Aug 23, 2023 - Episode 31, Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations - 14:05
  15. ^ Vinyl Vibe, Aug 23, 2023 - Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations
  16. ^ Sentirelblues, March 02, 2020 - THE FOUNDATIONS
  17. ^ Alan Warner Website - The Foundations, "Morrison left the band to occupy a room for six months at Her Majesty's pleasure"
  18. ^ The Classic Rock Music Reporter, Thursday, June 19, 2014 - Arthur Brown Exclusive: ‘The God of Hellfire’ & ‘Mastermind of Theatrical Rock’ Talks New CD
  19. ^ Strange Brew - The Ways and Means
  20. ^ The Strange Brew - The Ways and Means
  21. ^ Roots Vinyl Guide - ♬ THE FOUNDATIONS *NEW DIRECTION* WL PROMO MEX DECCA 45 UK GARAGE PSYCH
  22. ^ Official Charts - BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP by FOUNDATIONS
  23. ^ Disc and Music Echo, November 9, 1968 - Page 23 PENNY VALENTINE BRITAIN'S TOP SINGLES REVIEWER SPINS THIS WEEK'S DISCS, FOUNDATIONS, BUILD Me Up Buttercup (Pye)
  24. ^ Disc and Music Echo, 5 July 1969 - Page 12 Digging the Foundations, Digging their new album, track by track
  25. ^ Official Charts - IN THE BAD, BAD OLD DAYS by FOUNDATIONS
  26. ^ Disc and Music Echo, 5 July 1969 - Page 12 Digging the Foundations, Digging their new album, track by track, TILL NIGHT BROUGHT DAY:
  27. ^ Time and Date - Calendar for Year 1969 (United Kingdom)
  28. ^ Melody Maker, 26 July 1969 - Page 4 Guitar stolen
  29. ^ New Musical Express, 10 October 1970 - Page 8 Foundations lose their lead singer
  30. ^ Times Series, 4th February 2012 - Original Foundations guitarist Alan Warner talks to Rosy Moorhead about the band and growing up in Borehamwood and Edgware
  31. ^ It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, July 22, 2011 - Pluto interview with Paul Gardner & Alan Warner, Can you elaborate the formation of Pluto?
  32. ^ The Strange Brew, April 8, 2022 - Podcast 40:00
  33. ^ Record Business, February 7, 1983 - Page 4 news, Merchandising
  34. ^ Dopson, Roger. Baby Now That I've Found You, Sequel Records NEECD 300 (1st ed.). UK: Sequel Records.
  35. ^ Discogs - The Foundations – Greatest Hits
  36. ^ Television, July 1994 Vol. 44, No. 9, Issue 525 - Page 4 CD GRF176
  37. ^ "GARY MOBERLEY info". GeoCities. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  38. ^ Times series, 3 Feb 2012 - Original Foundations guitarist Alan Warner talks to Rosy Moorhead about the band and growing up in Borehamwood and Edgware By Rosy Moorhead
  39. ^ Beat Magazine UK, May 7, 2014 - Just Sweet Soul Music By Ralph Gowling
  40. ^ Ilkley Gazette, 8th February 2020 - Popular soul band heading to Ilkley By Claire Lomax
  41. ^ The Second Disc, August 14, 2022 - NEWS, Build Me Up, Buttercup: Cherry Red Collects The Foundations on "Am I Groovin' You" By Joe Marchese
  42. ^ a b Google Books - 100 Lead Licks for Guitar
  43. ^ The Shields Gazette, 13th Jan 2017 - News, Sixties star Billie Davis set to swing into town
  44. ^ the Tornados channel, Jan 15, 2021 - DO I LOVE YOU - Lockdown jam session No. 2
  45. ^ The Second Disc, August 14, 2022 - NEWS, Build Me Up, Buttercup: Cherry Red Collects The Foundations on "Am I Groovin' You" By Joe Marchese
  46. ^ "EDISON LIGHTHOUSE | WEBSITE". Edison Lighthouse. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  47. ^ Lick Library- DVD Tuition High Quality DVD tutorials, How To Play Rock Blues Guitar Archived 2011-07-13 at the Wayback Machine
  48. ^ Flashback Website - Meet the band
  49. ^ Alan Warner Website Albums [dead link‍]
  50. ^ SCRIBD - Alan Warner - The Blues Guitar PDF
  51. ^ Alan Warner Website - BOOKS
  52. ^ Amazon - - How to Play Electric Blues Guitar Paperback – January 1, 2000 by Alan Warner (Author)
  53. ^ Amazon - Country Guitar Licks: Start Playing Series Paperback – February 1, 2000 by Alan Warner (Author)
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