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7 Male
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7 MaleOrigin
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Born
1967
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1967 to Present...
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Rhinoceros - Apricot Brandy
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Rhinoceros was a late-60s psychedelic rock "supergroup". They charged forward with high expectations from Electra, but sadly the horned beast thundered into the wilderness eventually falling prey to the carrion of overindulgence. In the late sixties Electra producer Paul Rothchild whose credits include Love's Forever Changes and the Doors' Strange Days had self-manipulated this manufactured supergroup which was signed up in 1968. Its understandable that big things were expected from a classically trained keyboardist from Jon Lee & The Checkmates called Michael Fonfara (keyboards) ex- Electric Flag, Billy Mundi (drums) ex- Mothers of Invention, Doug Hastings (guitar) ex- Daily Flash & Buffalo Springfield, Danny Weis (guitar) ex- Iron Butterfly- Jerry Penrod (bass) and John Finlay (vocals). The spectacular foldout cover with artwork by G. Sazaferin depicting a brightly colourful beaded Rhinoceros had all the qualifications for superstar status. In hindsight the beast was more electric soul apart from the surging instrumental "Apricot Brandy", which was later adopted as a Radio One Theme for the BBC. A certain amount of acknowledgement has to be given to the Little Richard classic "You're My Girl (I don't want to discuss it)" which was covered superbly by Delaney & Bonnie on their live tour with Eric Clapton and a brassy version of Larry Williams' "I Need Love". The bluesey takes on Alan Gerber's "When You Say You Sorry", the laidback "Same Old Way" and "I Will Serenade You" later covered by Three Dog Night were great once listened to over and over, but lacked impact. The album did however initiate heavy body drumming by the strong armed Billy Mundi way before the Zep's John Bonham but closer to Vanilla Fudge. The follow up albums Satin Chicken and Better Times Coming now devoid of Penrod failed to make the grade with Mundi, Gerber and Hastings departing. Fonfara featured extensively on numerous Lou Reed recordings.
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