Ducks Deluxe
Denizens of London's '70s’ ‘pub rock’ circuit, Ducks Deluxe was formed in 1972 by Sean Tyla (b. 3 August 1947, Barlow, Yorkshire, England; guitar/vocals) and ex- Help Yourself member Ken Whaley (bass). The line-up was completed by former Brinsley Schwarz roadie, Martin Belmont (b. 21 December 1948, Grove Park, London, England; guitar) and Tim Roper (b. 9 April 1953, Hampstead, London, England; drums), before Whaley was replaced by Nick Garvey (b. 26 April 1951, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England). The reconstituted quartet completed DUCKS DELUXE, an exciting, emphatic set drawn from rock's traditional sources. Andy McMaster (b. 27 July 1947, Glasgow, Scotland; keyboards) expanded the group for TAXI TO THE TERMINAL ZONE, but dissent over Tyla's autocratic rule resulted in a split. Garvey and McMasters left in October 1974; they were later reunited in the Motors, while Mick Groom (bass) joined the now-ailing Ducks. Although popular in Europe, the band was all but ignored at home and a dispirited Roper quit the following year. Brinsley Schwarz (guitar) and Billy Rankin (drums), both from the defunct Brinsley Schwarz group, augmented Ducks Deluxe on a tour of France, but the group broke up on 1 July 1975 following a final appearance at London's 100 Club. Martin Belmont later resurfaced in Graham Parker And The Rumour, while Tyla formed the Tyla Gang with the prodigal Ken Whaley.