CLIMAX BLUES BAND STORY - A VIEW FROM A FAN
1983 > 1985
Derek Holt was soon to leave the band and then John Cuffley also moved on.
In 1984 the album ‘Sample And Hold’ was released on Virgin, the nucleus of the band being Colin Cooper, Pete Haycock and George Glover with session players on drums and bass. Two singles were released from this album, ‘Listen To The Night’ and ‘Friends In High Places’. Other highlights were Haycock’s rock blast of ‘Heaven And Hell’, and Cooper’s smooth sophisticated ‘The Movie Queen’. On tour the rhythm section comprised of Jeff Rich and John ‘Rhino’ Edwards, who eventually went on to feature in Status Quo for many years. This line up toured the world in 1984 and the overall feel of the band at this time was more powerhouse blues rock which was a popular progression to audiences but maybe not quite the ideal move for the hardcore Climax fans. Ian Gillan of Deep Purple travelled the world with the band while taking time off to ‘rest his voice’, appearing for the encores each night.
In 1985 Peter Haycock left the band to pursue a solo career. Solo albums and touring with his own band, later becoming part of Miles Copeland’s entourage in The Night Of The Guitars and joining ELO Part 2. Numerous other solo projects and film soundtracks followed.