Brian Parrish grew up in the „skiffle“ era and like many of his generation , he “saw the Light“ when he heard Lonnie Donegan. What he was hearing was “roots” music from America.Brians first professional job was as lead guitarist in the band of rock n roll legend, Gene Vincent (Be Bop Alula). Not long after this, the band, known as the Londoners, played a lengthy spell in the Star Club Hamburg around 1964.
The band returned to London where they recorded a string of singles under the name the Knack. Brian had already obtained a song publishing deal before the Star Club engagement, and this generated some success with his songs, notably a European hit with (French superstar) Johnny Hallyday , “C´est mon Imagination”. In 1965 the band returned to the Star Club, once again billed as The Londoners. Once back in England the band stretched out musically, becoming somewhat psychedelicised!
Brian left the band and played briefly with New York Public Library before leaving to pursue a solo career. Meanwhile he wrote pop songs for Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich and others. He was in demand for sessions playing on albums by Jerry Lee Lewis, Graeme Edge (MOODY BLUES), Jon Lord (DEEP PURPLE) and playing on hits for the likes of MEDICINE HEAD (One and One).
Whilst preparing demos for a solo album under the wing of Lou Reizner Brian ran into old friend Paul Gurvitz (formerly of the LONDONERS / THE KNACK). Paul sang harmonies on the demos and the blend and old telepathy were so good that they decided to make it a joint project, a double act. Thus PARRISH and GURVITZ was born. The BEATLES were breaking up and their history making producer, George Martin heard the P&G tapes. He signed them to his newly formed production company and the resulting album he produced was hailed as the debut of the “next Beatles”. Understandable, perhaps, but the reference was hard to shake off, and was the kiss of death. Suffice to say that sales failed to match the hype and expectations of the global press articles. The band, assembled to tour America began a second album, leaving half way through to tour America and promote the first album . The album was already old news by this point, having been out for some months. The new material and the band treatment of the songs from the first album was altogether rockier than the accoustic feel the label had expected. This caused disputes with the label and management, both.
Returning to the U.K. They recorded the rest of the album they had started, but PARRISH&GURVITZ had to let the musicians go. The musicians joined Peter Frampton as a working unit, Paul joined brother Adrian and Tony Newman to form Three Man Army. Later they teamed with Ginger Baker.
Brian formed a band with Tony Kaye (ex YES), Roy Dyke (ASHTON GARFNER & DYKE) and David Foster , author of songs together with Jon Anderson recorded by YES. The new band was BADGER and recorded its debut album “One Live” in concert at the now defunct Rainbow Theatre London. The album entered the U.S. Billboard charts, was widely acclaimed and the band prepared to tour America. In what would become a hallmark of his “bad timing” Brian elected to leave the band more or less on the eve of the tour!