Barry ‘The Fish’ Melton & His Band

A rare opportunity to savour some of the music of one of the finest psychedelic rock bands in the world !

We’re delighted to welcome two former members of Country Joe & The Fish: Barry Melton on lead vocals and guitar, David Bennett Cohen on guitar/keys, plus Canadian guitarist Natalie Martel on rhythm guitar, Steve Browning on bass, and Bernie Fox on drums.

Over fifty years ago, during the “Summer of Love” – 1967 – Barry “The Fish” Melton celebrated his 20th birthday in June 1967. A few days later, he and his band, “Country Joe and the Fish,” were rocketed onto the world stage at the Monterey Pop Festival with such luminaries as the Jefferson Airplane, the Mamas and Papas, Otis Redding, Ravi Shankar, Simon and Garfunkel, The Who and a relatively unknown guitarist named Jimi Hendrix. And fifty years ago, in 1969, Barry appeared at the historic festival in Woodstock, New York and also appeared in the movie bearing the same name: “Woodstock.”

During the five years between 1967 and 1971, Barry would tour arenas, concert halls, and stadiums through Europe and North America. He also launched his first solo effort, a blues/soul album half of which was recorded in New York with members of the Wilson Pickett Band and half of which was recorded in Chicago with a band featuring Donny Hathaway on piano, Morris Jennings on drums and Phillip Upchurch on bass.

Barry began the 1970’s with an album for Columbia Records produced by legendary guitarist Michael Bloomfield, Barry took up part-time residence in the United Kingdom and recorded two albums at Rockfield Studios in Wales; and he toured extensively in the U.K., France and the Netherlands; Barry and ultimately returned home to San Francisco to record his fifth album of the decade.

In the 1980’s, Barry put together San Francisco’s historic supergroup, “Dinosaurs,” featuring Barry and John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service, guitar), Spencer Dryden (Jefferson Airplane, drums), Peter Albin (Big Brother and the Holding Company, bass), and Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead songwriter, guitar). Other members of the band later included Merl Saunders and Papa John Creech. “Dinosaurs” recorded its debut album and opened for Tony Bennett at the 50th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge celebration in 1987.

Also – enjoy this clip below, of Barry playing with Greg Douglass (from Steve Miller Band), who also graces the WemsFest stage, on Mon 7th Oct!  (Putting the event info and ticket link here…you do not want to miss either show!)

Join us at The Emsworth Sports & Social Club for an intimate evening with one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greats!!

Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm start
Licensed bar helps support WemsFest – we will have our usual licensed bar serving delicious Langham Brewery beers, plus wine and local cider

Please park considerately.

If you require special assistance or have mobility difficulties, please contact us in advance and we will do our very best to accommodate you so that you are comfortable.