Toe Fat
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Toe Fat formed in 1969, fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett, and featuring over their two year, two LP stretch; lead guitarist Ken Hensley, guitarist/bassist John Konas, drummer Lee Kerslake, and replacements (after the first LP) John Glascock (bass), Brian Glascock (Drums), Alan Kendall (Guitar).
The band was founded after former pop star Bennett, with former Gods keyboard player Hensley, looked for a new band following the Cliff Bennett Bands dissolution. Hensley was able to draft in fellow ex-Gods men Kerslake and Glascock to fill the ranks, and the newly formed Toe Fat (the name was decided over dinner when Bennett and his manager attempted to create the most disgusting band name possible) was quickly signed by Motown's progressive rock label, Rare Earth in the states, and Parlophone in Britain
Upon release, the eponymously titled first album flopped commercially, but gained considerable critical praise. Such was their stir that after their first single "Workin' Nights" (the B-Side was an early Elton John composition "Bad Side of the Moon") they were booked for a tour supporting Derek and the Dominos in the states.
However, Hensley and Kerslake left the group upon returning from their second U.S tour supporting the first L.P to form the extremely successful Uriah Heep (Bennett himself admitted in the sleeve notes of his re-released 'Rebellion' album that he 'Probably should have joined them' when asked). Bassist Konas was replaced in the down time between records, with John Glascock (also formerly of The Gods and who later joined Jethro Tull) replacing him, and another ex-Gods man, Brian Glascock, was drafted in for Drumming duties. Alan Kendall replaced Hensley, adding more 'heavy' licks to the new record, simply titled Toe Fat 2.
John Peel produced Toe Fat 2 after hearing them on several BBC radio sessions, including one for Terry Wogan! However, the new LP also flopped, despite more radio play, and a reasonably successful U.S tour promoting it. Following these successive failures, their management and labels informed the group that they could no longer fund them. Toe Fat dissolved while showing great promise, with Bennett to this day insisting things were starting to happen for the group.
Bennett recorded an ill fated solo album, Rebellion, before quitting music to become a shipping magnate, in one of Rocks most bizarre turn of events. Bennett still occasionally tours with the Rebel Rousers, despite being extremely financially stable, due to his shipping empire.
Kendall and Brian Glascock went on to play with and write for the Bee Gees, and Hensley and Kerslake played with Uriah Heep across the globe until 1980 and 1979 respectively
