humble pie

Biography

Humble Pie was a British blues rock band formed in 1969 in Moreton, Essex, England, by Steve Marriott (formerly of Small Faces), Peter Frampton (from The Herd), Greg Ridley (from Spooky Tooth), and Jerry Shirley (from The Apostolic Intervention). Drawing media attention as a supergroup due to the members' prior successes, they rehearsed at Marriott's cottage and signed to Immediate Records, releasing the hit single 'Natural Born Boogie' (UK #5) and albums 'As Safe As Yesterday Is' (progressive rock) and 'Town and Country' (acoustic-focused). After Immediate's collapse, they joined A&M Records in 1970, shifting to a heavier boogie rock sound with albums like 'Humble Pie' and 'Rock On,' culminating in the landmark live album 'Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore' (1971), featuring the FM radio staple 'I Don't Need No Doctor.'[1][2][3][4]

Fun Facts

• Peter Frampton initially wanted to join Small Faces, but Steve Marriott instead asked to join Frampton's new band after leaving his group.[3]
• The band's name 'Humble Pie' was chosen to downplay supergroup hype and build slowly, countering their prior teen idol images.[1][3]
• Their 1971 live album 'Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore' was recorded before Frampton left, capturing peak energy despite his imminent departure.[1]
• Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton nearly reunited in 1991 for a new album and tour, but Marriott died in a house fire before it happened.[1]

Members

• Peter Frampton - lead vocals, original (from 1969 until 1971)
• Peter Frampton - background vocals, original (from 1969 until 1971)
• Peter Frampton - guitar, original (from 1969 until 1971)
• Steve Marriott - lead vocals, original (from 1969 until 1983)
• Steve Marriott - background vocals, original (from 1969 until 1983)
• Steve Marriott - guitar, original (from 1969 until 1983)
• Greg Ridley - lead vocals, original (from 1969 until 1983)
• Greg Ridley - background vocals, original (from 1969 until 1983)
• Greg Ridley - bass guitar, original (from 1969 until 1983)
• Jerry Shirley - drums (drum set), original (from 1969 until 1983)
• Clem Clempson (from 1971 until 1975)
• Bobby Tench (from 1979 until 1981)
• Jerry Shirley (from 1988 until 2002)
• Greg Ridley (from 2001 until 2002)
• Bobby Tench (from 2001 until 2002)

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Glyn Johns - Producer who guided their early direction and emphasized strengths (Humble Pie (1970), early albums) [1969-1970]

Key Collaborators

• Steve Marriott - Lead vocalist and guitarist, co-founder (All early albums including As Safe As Yesterday Is, Performance Rockin' the Fillmore) [1969-1975, 1980s]
• Peter Frampton - Guitarist and co-founder, left for solo career (As Safe As Yesterday Is, Town and Country, Performance Rockin' the Fillmore) [1969-1971]
• Greg Ridley - Bassist, co-founder (Debut albums and early live performances) [1969-1975]
• Jerry Shirley - Drummer, co-founder, later led Humble Pie Legacy (All original albums, Humble Pie Legacy tours) [1969-1975, 1980s, 2018-present]
• Dave Clempson - Guitarist, replaced Frampton (Smokin' (1972), Eat It (1974)) [1971-1975]
• The Blackberries (incl. Venetta Fields) - Backup singers (Smokin' (1972)) [1972]
• Bobby Tench - Guitarist in 1980s revival (1980s albums) [1980]

Artists Influenced

• Led Zeppelin - Robert Plant was a devotee of Steve Marriott; shared high-octane soul-rock terrain (Led Zeppelin debut (1969)) [Late 1960s-1970s]
• Various rock and metal bands - Influential turbocharged blues rock sound (General influence noted in hard rock genre) [1970s onward]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #blues-rock, #boogie-rock