Spring - Spring

(2-LP set) Formed in 1970 and based in Leicester, vocalist Pat Moran, guitarist Ray Martinez, drummer Pick Withers, bassist Adrian Maloney and keyboardist Kipps Brown had all previously played in local bands. Following a gig in Cardiff the Spring touring van broke down on the way home leaving the band stranded 'somewhere in Wales'. It was then that fate dealt one of it's kinder blows for the first car to stop and help them was one driven by Kingsley Ward who owned Rockfield Recording Studios. Prior to the release of their self-titled debut album, produced by Elton John cohort Gus Dudgeon, Spring toured the UK supporting Velvet Underground and also played with the likes of Keith Christmas and The Sutherland Brothers. Their sole album was released in 1971. Spring's music is notable for the use of the mellotron with three of it's five members credited with playing that instrument on the album.