Stan Webb (born Stanley Webb, 3 February
1946, in Fulham, South
West London, England)
is the frontman
and lead
guitarist with the blues
band,
Chicken
Shack.
Career
Playing firstly in skiffle bands, Webb formed the first version
of Chicken Shack in 1965.
The band played in Hamburg, Germany over the next couple of years, as
Webb perfected his playing techniques. They signed to the Blue
Horizon record
label in 1967,
where their label mates were the fledgling Fleetwood
Mac. The group was then comprised of Webb, Christine Perfect,
drummer Dave Bidwell, and bassist Andy Sylvester (who would later play
with the British blues ensemble,
Savoy
Brown). Chicken Shack enjoyed their heyday in the mid to late
1960s, when
R&B
was a popular
music form in England.
Their music was traditional in make-up, and the group covered a variety
of American
blues
standards, as well as composing several home-spun tunes. Their
repertoire included, arguably, their most played track - "I'd Rather Go
Blind". This song was written by Ellington Jordan, and Billy Foster,
and became a modern day blues classic.
Apart from Chicken Shack, the most memorable version is by Etta
James. This song was later covered by Ruby
Turner in 1987,
and by Sydney Youngblood in 1990, and both versions
were minor hits in the UK
Singles Chart.
Chicken Shack are probably most remembered for including
Christine Anne Perfect as the keyboardist and backing
vocalist in their line-up. She rose to far greater fame when she later
joined Fleetwood Mac. She became Christine
McVie, after her marriage to the band's founder and bassist, John
McVie.
Chicken Shack's line-up has evolved and changed considerably
over the years with Webb being the only constant factor. His stage
presence, musicianship, and fervour have continued to satisfy a cult audience.
In 2001,
Webb released his first solo album for over eight years when Webb,
appeared on the Indigo Records label.
About to enter his sixties, Stan Webb's Chicken Shack played a
number of live dates around the UK in 2005.
External links
