May Blitz were an obscure but pioneering hard rock band with blues and psychedelic tendencies. Started in 1969 in the UK, it consisted of vocalist/guitarist Jamie Black, Tony Newman on drums, (ex Sounds Incorporated and Jeff Beck Group), and Reid Hudson on bass and vocals.
Black and Hudson, from Victoria, British Columbia, played Canadian West Coast music prior to moving to England. The original lineup featured bassist Terry Poole and drummer Keith Baker from Bakerloo, but both left before recording anything.
May Blitz’s self-titled debut in 1970 was a mixture of heavy riffs, psychedelic breaks, melodic song-writing and extended jams. It sold moderately, and a follow-up, “The 2nd Of May,” was recorded in 1971. Despite being an excellent album full of heavy original numbers, the album flopped. The band were dropped by Vertigo shortly after, causing them to split in 1971. Black and Hudson returned to Canada, but Newman played with many bands throughout the ’70s, including Three Man Army, Marc Bolan, David Bowie & Mick Ronson, Chris Spedding and Whitesnake.
Their debut album is a must-hear for anyone curious about the early development of heavy music. |
