Smoke
Mick Rowley (vocals), Mal Luker (lead guitar), Phil Peacock (rhythm guitar), John Zeke Lund (bass) and Geoff Gill (drums) were initially known as the Shots. This Yorkshire, England, group was groomed for success by Alan Brush, a gravel pit owner and self-made millionaire who harboured dreams of pop management. His ambitions faltered when the Shots’ lone single, Keep A Hold Of What You Got, failed to sell. Phil Peacock then dropped out of the line-up, but within months the remaining quartet approached producer Monty Babson with several new demos. The most promising song, My Friend Jack, was released in February 1967 under the group's new name, the Smoke. Although irresistibly commercial, problems arose when the line ‘my friend Jack eats sugar lumps’ was construed as celebrating drug abuse. The record was banned in Britain, but became a massive hit on the continent and on the pirate radio ships, inspiring a release for the group's only album, IT'S SMOKE TIME. Later singles continued their quirky-styled pop, but they failed to garner a significant breakthrough. Having toyed with yet another appellation, Chords Five, Lund, Luker and Gill began work as resident musicians at Babson's Morgan Sound studios. Several more singles, credited to the Smoke, appeared on various labels during the late '60s/early '70s. These often throwaway efforts featured sundry variations on the above triumvirate, accompanied by any other backroom staff present.