Fat Matress
Formed in 1969 by Noel Redding (b. David Redding, 25 December 1945, Folkestone, Kent, England), the disaffected bassist from the Jimi Hendrix Experience. A frustrated guitarist and songwriter, Redding established this group to run concurrently as an outlet for his talents. He was joined by vocalist Neil Landon, a colleague from beat group the Loving Kind and latterly a member of the Flowerpot Men, and two long-standing friends, Jimmy Leverton (keyboard/bass) and Eric Dillon (drums). Fat Mattress secured a large advance, but although their debut was an enjoyable, melodic set, in the English pop vein of the Move and Small Faces, it lacked a sense of identity. The quartet made its live debut in February 1969, but prestigious slots on Hendrix tours failed to generate public interest. The final ignominy came when Redding was fired by the rest of the group and replaced by guitarist Steve Hammond. This reshaped line-up completed FAT MATTRESS II before breaking up.