By Ray Shasho
Guitarist/songwriter/vocalist/ Henry McCullough may
not be a household name but has undeniably imprinted his roots in rock and roll
folklore. McCullough’s first band of prominence was spearheaded by (Animals
bassist/Hendrix manager) Chas Chandler. The band (Eire Apparent) toured with
legendary performers such as The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Move, and Pink
Floyd.
McCullough joined the legendary Irish Folk group,
Sweeney’s Men, before joining Joe Cocker’s Grease band. McCullough toured with
Cocker as his lead guitarist. Joe Cocker and The Grease Band performed on day (3)
of the Woodstock Festival, August 17th, 1969. The band’s electrifying performance
of the Beatles, “With a Little Help from My Friends,” was considered one of the most memorable of the event.
McCullough also had a short stint with the
progressive rock band Spooky Tooth.
Several members of The Grease Band were asked to
play on an avant-garde concept album called, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ Henry
McCullough and bandmate Neil Hubbard would play under the direction of Andrew
Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The album reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in
1971.
Also in 1971, Paul McCartney asked Henry McCullough
to join his new band Wings as their lead guitarist. McCullough’s most
significant contribution to McCartney’s Wings was his awe-inspiring solo on,
“My Love.” According to McCullough, his guitar lick may have been induced by a
divine nature. McCullough also played on, “Hi, Hi, Hi” which got tremendous
airplay over Top 40 radio in America and peaked at #10 on the charts. The upbeat
tune was loaded with sexual innuendos and banned by the BBC. McCullough also
played on the James Bond theme song, “Live and Let Die” penned by McCartney, and
charting at #2 on Billboard Top 100. The song was recorded during the ‘Red Rose
Speedway’ sessions.
During a Wings recording session at Abbey Road
studios, McCullough was asked to contribute a simple spoken sentence for
another session in progress next door. The band was Pink Floyd and the
recording was for the ‘Dark Side of the Moon album.’ McCullough’s notorious
line, “I don't know; I was really drunk at the time” found its way on
the “Money” track. ‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ became one of the most successful
selling albums in history, and is considered one of the greatest rock albums of
all-time.
Some of the incredible artists that McCullough has worked
with over the years include… Eric Burdon, Roy Harper, Donovan, Ronnie Lane,
Frankie Miller, Marianne Faithful, and The Who.
McCullough most recently reunited with former Wings
bandmate and drummer Denny Seiwell, and performed at the ‘Fest for Beatles
Fans’ in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Henry McCullough’s latest release, “Poor Man’s Moon”
is an amazing dose of British-blues, rock, folk, and country, played by one of
the very best guitarist in the business.
Here’s my recent chat with the enduring and
incredible Henry McCullough.
Ray
Shasho:
Thank you so much Henry for spending time with me today. You’ve performed on
countless recordings throughout the years with so many legendary artists. Have
you collaborated with fellow countrymen Van Morrison or the late great Rory
Gallagher?
Henry
McCullough: “I met Rory many years ago, he also played in
showbands in Ireland, but I never had the pleasure of playing with
Rory, I did speak to his brother(manager) about Rory coming over to produce my ‘Unfinished
Business’ CD, but he wasn't well enough so that was that, RIP Rory Gallagher. I've
not had the pleasure of playing with Van Morrison either, though our paths did
cross a few times over the years.”
Ray Shasho: The greatest cover of The Beatles,
“I Am The Walrus” has to be Spooky Tooth’s Prog Rock/ Psychedelic version on, ‘The
Last Puff’ album. Was the band actually in the studio together or was it
recorded in succession?
Henry McCullough:
“From
what I can remember, all of Spooky Tooth were in the Studio together, and my
guitar part was overdubbed, I only had a minor part to play on ‘The Last Puff.’”
Ray
Shasho:
Do you know if The Beatles listened to the Tooth’s version of, “I Am The Walrus?”
Henry
McCullough:
“I
really don't know if any of the Beatles heard this particular track on ‘The
Last Puff,’ I doubt it, if any of The Beatles were to listen to every cover of
Beatles songs; they would be listening for a very long time.”
Ray
Shasho:
Some of the most memorable Woodstock concert moments caught on film were Alvin
Lee and Ten Years After’s “I’m Going Home,” Santana’s “Soul Sacrifice,” Joe
Cocker and The Grease Band’s “With a Little Help from My Friends,” and Ritchie
Havens “Freedom.” I’ve chatted with Gregg Rolie (Santana) about his Woodstock
experience, what was Henry McCullough’s flashback to Woodstock?
Henry
McCullough: “What a day that was, we were air
lifted by helicopter, did the gig, and airlifted out. Impossible to try and
explain to anyone what seed was planted at Woodstock that day, it changed a lot
of people, it wasn't until in later years, looking back, that one
realized, "what a moment in rock n roll history." I must
say that Joe Cocker and The Grease Band were at top form and it did wonders for
Joe. It was a great performance by Joe and the band. That was some gig, yes sir….
that was some gig.”
Ray
Shasho:
Santana’s Gregg Rolie hung around to watch one of his favorite performers, Sly
Stone. Did you hang around to watch the other performers?
Henry
McCullough: “We did not hang around
too long after the gig at Woodstock, it was back to the hotel, a
"last Puff" and away we went the following morning, to where, I can't
remember.”
Ray Shasho:
Have you ever jammed with Jimi Hendrix?
Henry
McCullough: “Yes I did jam with the great Jimi Hendrix. We
(Eire Apparent) had the same managers, and he produced the first single, and
the first L.P. which I didn't play on. I was sacked for enjoying the fruits of
America. Steve Paul had the Scene Club in New York and the "Eire
Apparent" had a week’s residency. Jimi arrived with Buddy Miles and that
was a jam and a half … jeez, I've just realized how long ago it all was.”
Ray Shasho: ‘Jesus
Christ Superstar’ was an incredible album. How were you and Neil Hubbard
selected to play on the album? Also describe the production process.
Henry
McCullough: “It was The Grease Band that played
on all the tracks. Together we were doing a lot of sessions in
and around London; Joe had gone to do his thing with Leon Russell in the U.S.,
Mad Dogs & Englishmen. We needed another guitar player to work live gigs
with The Grease Band and that’s where Neil Hubbard came into the picture …
a great guitarist.
“We would start the day with Andrew Lloyd Webber
showing us the chord sheets etc. etc. and away we went. Particular bits
that had a short riff for guitar … I learned on piano before we would
start the session. When all the backing tracks were finished, that was it for us,
then they brought in the singers etc, I never played with Ian Gillian, nor
did I get to meet him or any of the singers involved.”
Ray
Shasho: You played on;
“My Love” WINGS first number 1 hit in America. Was that beautiful guitar solo
your own creation?
Henry McCullough: The solo on "My Love" was done at Air studios,
George Martin’s studio.
Yes that's me playing
the solo, and was done in one take. I mentioned to Paul that I wanted to
change whatever was suggested. The conversation between Paul and I
went like this ..."what are you gonna’ play?" - "I
don't know" - " You don't know what you’re gonna’
play?" -"No."
“Now, there's Paul, George Martin etc. in the
control room, a 50 piece orchestra waiting on me in the studio, (they were
recording both the orchestra and guitar solo at the same time) so, in I
went and plugged in the Gold Top, took a deep breath, and when I exhaled it was
all over, a bit like going to the dentist. It was a one take wonder, a gift
from God? I don't know… somebody/something happened, everybody saw it/felt it,
ask Sir Paul and I think you would get a similar answer.”
Ray
Shasho: I witnessed
WINGS first American tour in 1976. Do you have any regrets about leaving the
band before their first worldwide tour?
Henry McCullough: “Of course, but I can't dwell on the past. I
walked out just prior to going to Lagos, an awful time to walk away, not the
thing to do and it is the only thing I regret. But sure, look where it got him,
and I’m a happy man.”
Ray
Shasho: I’m
guessing no one had a clue how famous your line …"I don't know; I was
really drunk at the time" would become after it was recorded at the end of
“Money” on the ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ album?
Henry
McCullough:
“I
honestly can't remember what the question was that brought that reply, and I’ve
not seen any of the Floyd since that day in Abbey Road.”
Ray
Shasho:
“Skin and Bone” from your latest
release, ‘Poor Man’s Moon’ is a really cool tune …awesome country and blues
guitar licks. Were you influenced by American country and blues artists?
Henry
McCullough:
“Yes, country, blues, all
of that stuff. Hank Williams, John Lee Hooker, Snooks Eaglin, bluegrass …. You
know what I mean.”
Ray Shasho: Nashville has
so many incredible players and is a main hub for recording music in the U.S.
these days. Do you spend any time in Nashville?
Henry
McCullough:
“I never got to hang around Nashville; I made it to the Country Music Hall
of Fame and met Conway Twitty … that was nice.”
Ray
Shasho: Love your cover tune of, “A Mess of Blues.” Did you ever get an
opportunity to meet with Elvis or Scotty Moore?
Henry
McCullough:
“Never met Elvis or
Scotty Moore, oh well, but I did hear them like all the rest of the world
and that was good enough for me.”
Ray Shasho:What’s the origin behind your song,
“Failed Christian?”
Henry
McCullough: ““Failed Christian,” an outsider looking in,
Spirit in music, there's a prayer in a song.”
Ray Shasho: Henry, what
are your latest endeavors?
Henry
McCullough:
“Off
to ‘The Beatles Fest’ in New Jersey, the Iridium in N.Y.C., France and Poland
in April, and Norway in the summer. I just do what I've always done, play
music, travel and to keep on looking for which I know is out there. It's
not ever-present … you gotta’ look for it before you get paid.”
Ray
Shasho: Thank you
very much Henry, it’s been a real pleasure, you’re a truly gifted guitar player
and songwriter! Thanks for all the great music throughout the years.
Henry
McCullough: “Thanks Ray!”
Order
Henry
McCullough’s latest CD ‘Poor Man’s Moon’ at Amazon.com
Henry
McCullough official website www.henrymccullough.com
Special
Thanks to Anne
Leighton of Leighton Media for
this interview
Official
website www.anneleighton.com
Leighton
Music Services http://leightonmusicservices.blogspot.com/
Contact
Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com
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Ray
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