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{{Otheruses4|the English hard rock band|the American band who shares the same name|Warhorse (doom metal band)|other uses|War horse (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the English band|the American band who shares the same name|Warhorse (American band)|other uses|War horse (disambiguation)}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Warhorse
| name = Warhorse
| Img =
| image =
| Img_capt =
| caption =
| Img_size =
| image_size =
| Background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| Alias =
| alias =
| Origin = [[England]]
| origin = England
| Genre = [[hard rock]]. [[progressive rock]], heavy metal]]
| genre = [[Hard rock]], [[progressive rock]], [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]
| Years_active = [[1970]] - [[1974]] (partial reunions: 1985, 2005)
| years_active = 1970–1974, 1985, 2005
| Label = [[Vertigo Records|Vertigo]]
| label = [[Vertigo Records|Vertigo]]
| Associated_acts = [[Deep Purple]]<br>[[Rick Wakeman]]<br>[[Marsha Hunt Band]]<br>Nick Simpers Dynamite, [[Fandango]]
| associated_acts = [[Deep Purple]], [[Rick Wakeman]], [[Velvett Fogg]], Marsha Hunt Band, Nick Simper's Dynamite, Fandango
| URL =
| website =
| Current_members =
| current_members =
| Past_members = [[Nick Simper]]<br>[[Ashley Holt]]<br>[[Mac Poole]]<br>[[Ged Peck]]<br>[[Rick Wakeman]]<br>[[Frank Wilson]]<br>[[Pete Parks]]<br>[[Barney James]]
| past_members = [[Ashley Holt]]<br/>[[Nick Simper]]<br/>Mac Poole<br/>[[Ged Peck]]<br/>[[Rick Wakeman]]<br/>Frank Wilson<br/>Pete Parks<br/>[[Barney James]]
}}
}}


'''Warhorse''' was a British [[Rock music|rock]] band formed by [[Deep Purple]]'s first [[bassist]] [[Nick Simper]].<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=476}}</ref>
Warhorse was a band formed by former [[Deep Purple]] bassist [[Nick Simper]].He had left Deep Purple in [[1969]] and joined [[Marsha Hunt (singer and novelist)|Marsha Hunt]]'s backup band. Not long after, Nick Simper replaced her backing band with [[Ged Peck]] on guitar,and Mac Poole on drums. While this was going on, Simper would play in an extracurricular band along with Ged and Mac, with singer Ashley Holt. When Hunt became pregnant, the band stopped touring and Simper re-organized the group as Warhorse. Holt became the bands singer, and they would bring keyboardist [[Rick Wakeman]] onboard,but proved unreliable,and when the first demo was recorded in April 1970, he was replaced by [[Frank Wilson]].


== Career ==
Warhorse finaly found itself ,and was signed to [[Vertigo Records|Vertigo]] and released their debut album [[Warhorse (album)|Warhorse]] in November 1970.The band would begin to tour,but made little progress.The band also saw very low promotion ,and the albm failed to chart.A single, 'St.Louis' was also released, which also failed to chart.By 1971, Ged Peck had made his exit, and was replaced by [[Pete Parks]] of Black August, a band who had been sharing Warhorse's rehearsal room.
After being sacked by Deep Purple in 1969, Simper joined [[Marsha Hunt (actress, born 1946)|Marsha Hunt]]'s backing band. Not long after, Simper replaced her backing band with [[Ged Peck]] on guitar and Mac Poole on drums. When Hunt became pregnant, the band stopped touring, and Simper and Peck re-organized the group as Warhorse.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> [[Ashley Holt]] became the band's singer, and they recruited keyboardist [[Rick Wakeman]]. When their first [[demo (music)|demo]] was recorded in April 1970, Wakeman left to join the [[Strawbs]] and was replaced by Frank Wilson.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>


Warhorse signed to [[Vertigo Records|Vertigo]], and released their first [[album]], ''[[Warhorse (album)|Warhorse]]'' in November 1970.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Warhorse was managed by Ron Hire, originally part of HEC Enterprises, the original investors in Deep Purple.
The band was forced to rush the recording of their next album.In June 1972 ,their next album [[Red Sea]] was released ,but it saw little label promotion, and soon after its release, Warhorse were dropped from the label.Around the same time Mac Poole decided to leave Warhorse, for [[Gong (band)|Gong]].


The band began to tour, but made little progress, and the album failed to [[record chart|chart]]. A single, "St. Louis", was released, which failed to chart<ref name="LarkinHR"/> (although it did reach a "bubbling under" chart in the Netherlands in 1971). By 1971, after arguments about style, Peck left and moved to [[classical music|classical]] guitar playing. He was replaced by Pete Parks.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>
The band decided to carry on, and they replaced Mac with [[Barney James]].They would eventualy bring in more funk and soule elements into their music.Around this time, Rick Wakeman would borrowed Holt and James for his solo album [[Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)|Journey to the Centre of the Earth]]. Despite the fact that a new record contract for Warhorse was in the offing, both men decided to throw their lot in permanenty with Wakeman, and in June 1974 Nick Simper decided to bring the band to a close.


In June 1972, their next album, ''[[Red Sea (Warhorse album)|Red Sea]]'', was released,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> but soon after Warhorse was dropped from the [[record label|label]]. Around the same time, Poole decided to leave Warhorse for [[Gong (band)|Gong]]. The band carried on, and replaced Poole with [[Barney James]]. Rick Wakeman remembered Ashley Holt and Barney James and recruited both when he formed his band The English Rock Ensemble for his solo albums, ''[[Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)|Journey to the Centre of the Earth]]'' and ''[[The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table]]''. Warhorse's last concert in 1974 was at Polhill College, [[Bedford]].
The Warhorse musicians have since played together on occasions, including 1985 and 2005, latterly for drummer Mac Poole's 60th birthday.


Warhorse musicians (Holt, Parks, Simper, Wilson, and Poole) have since played together on several occasions, including 1985 and 2005, latterly for drummer Poole's 60th birthday. Poole died on 21 May 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.teamrock.com/news/2015-05-23/drummer-mac-poole-dead-after-cancer-battle|title=Drummer Mac Poole dead after cancer battle - TeamRock|date=26 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526000211/http://www.teamrock.com/news/2015-05-23/drummer-mac-poole-dead-after-cancer-battle|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=26 May 2015}}</ref>


==Member history==
== Personnel ==
=== Members ===
{| class="toccolours" border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="float: width: 375px; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2;"
* [[Ashley Holt]] - lead vocals <small>(1970-1974, 1985, 2005)</small>
|+ <big>'''Line-ups</big>
* [[Nick Simper]] - bass guitar <small>(1970-1974, 1985, 2005)</small>
* Mac Poole - drums <small>(1970-1972, 1985, 2005; died 2015)</small>
* [[Ged Peck]] - guitar <small>(1970-1971; died 2015)</small>
* [[Rick Wakeman]] - keyboards <small>(1970)</small>
* Frank Wilson - keyboards <small>(1970-1974, 1985, 2005)</small>
* Pete Parks - guitar <small>(1971-1974, 1985, 2005)</small>
* [[Barney James]] - drums <small>(1972-1974; died 2016)</small>

=== Line-ups ===
{| class="toccolours" border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="float: width: 375px; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2;" width=99%
|-
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | Marcha Hunt Band<br>(1969-1970)
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1970
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1970-1971
|
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1971-1972<br><small>(Reunions in 1985 and 2005)</small>
* [[Marsha Hunt (singer and novelist)|Marsha Hunt]] - vocals
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1972-1974
* [[Ged Peck]] - guitar
* [[Nick Simper]] - bass
* [[Mac Poole]] - drums
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | Warhorse<br>(1970)
|
* [[Ashley Holt]] - vocals
* Ged Peck - guitar
* Nick Simper - bass
* [[Rick Wakeman]] - keyboards
* Mac Poole - drums
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | Warhorse<br>(1970-1971)
|
* Ashley Holt - vocals
* Ged Peck - guitar
* Nick Simper - bass
* [[Frank Wilson]] - keyboards
* Mac Poole - drums
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | Warhorse<br>(1971-1972)
|
* Ashley Holt - vocals
* [[Pete Parks]] - guitar
* Nick Simper - bass
* Frank Wilson - keyboards
* Mac Poole - drums
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | Warhorse<br>(1972-1974)
|
* Ashley Holt - vocals
* Pete Parks - guitar
* Nick Simper - bass
* Frank Wilson - keyboards
* [[Barney James]] - drums
|-
|-
| valign=top |
* '''Ashley Holt''' - vocals
* '''[[Ged Peck]]''' - guitar
* '''Mac Poole''' - drums
* '''[[Nick Simper]]''' - bass guitar
* '''[[Rick Wakeman]]''' - keyboards
| valign=top |
* '''Ashley Holt''' - vocals
* '''Ged Peck''' - guitar
* '''Mac Poole''' - drums
* '''Nick Simper''' - bass guitar
* '''Frank Wilson''' - keyboards
| valign=top |
* '''Ashley Holt''' - vocals
* '''Mac Poole''' - drums
* '''Nick Simper''' - bass guitar
* '''Frank Wilson''' - keyboards
* '''Pete Parks''' - guitar
| valign=top |
* '''Ashley Holt''' - vocals
* '''Nick Simper''' - bass guitar
* '''Frank Wilson''' - keyboards
* '''Pete Parks''' - guitar
* '''[[Barney James]]''' - drums
|}
|}


== Discography ==
==External links==
===Albums===
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dpfwxql5ldke~T0 Allmusic.com Overview for Warhorse]
* ''[[Warhorse (album)|Warhorse]]'' (1970)
* [http://www.myspace.com/nicksimper Nick Simper's myspace page]
* ''[[Red Sea (Warhorse album)|Red Sea]]'' (1972)<ref name="LarkinHR"/>


===Compilation albums===
[[Category:English musical groups]]
* ''Best of Warhorse'' (1986)
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1970]]
* ''Outbreak of Hostilities'' (1991)
[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:British heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Progressive rock groups]]


==References==
[[ru:Warhorse]]
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p21321|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic.com Overview for Warhorse]
* [https://www.discogs.com/fr/artist/319688-Warhorse-2 Discography @ Disocgs.com]
* [https://www.discogs.com/fr/Rick-Wakeman-The-Myths-And-Legends-Of-King-Arthur-And-The-Knights-Of-The-Round-Table/release/454652 Rick Wakeman The Myths and Legends]
* [http://www.nicksimper.com Nick Simper's web site]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Musical groups established in 1970]]
[[Category:English progressive rock groups]]
[[Category:Vertigo Records artists]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1974]]
[[Category:1974 disestablishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 06:06, 29 March 2024

This article is about the English band. For the American band who shares the same name, see Warhorse (American band). For other uses, see War horse (disambiguation).

Warhorse
OriginEngland
GenresHard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal
Years active1970–1974, 1985, 2005
LabelsVertigo
Past membersAshley Holt
Nick Simper
Mac Poole
Ged Peck
Rick Wakeman
Frank Wilson
Pete Parks
Barney James

Warhorse was a British rock band formed by Deep Purple's first bassist Nick Simper.[1]

Career

[edit]

After being sacked by Deep Purple in 1969, Simper joined Marsha Hunt's backing band. Not long after, Simper replaced her backing band with Ged Peck on guitar and Mac Poole on drums. When Hunt became pregnant, the band stopped touring, and Simper and Peck re-organized the group as Warhorse.[1] Ashley Holt became the band's singer, and they recruited keyboardist Rick Wakeman. When their first demo was recorded in April 1970, Wakeman left to join the Strawbs and was replaced by Frank Wilson.[1]

Warhorse signed to Vertigo, and released their first album, Warhorse in November 1970.[1] Warhorse was managed by Ron Hire, originally part of HEC Enterprises, the original investors in Deep Purple.

The band began to tour, but made little progress, and the album failed to chart. A single, "St. Louis", was released, which failed to chart[1] (although it did reach a "bubbling under" chart in the Netherlands in 1971). By 1971, after arguments about style, Peck left and moved to classical guitar playing. He was replaced by Pete Parks.[1]

In June 1972, their next album, Red Sea, was released,[1] but soon after Warhorse was dropped from the label. Around the same time, Poole decided to leave Warhorse for Gong. The band carried on, and replaced Poole with Barney James. Rick Wakeman remembered Ashley Holt and Barney James and recruited both when he formed his band The English Rock Ensemble for his solo albums, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Warhorse's last concert in 1974 was at Polhill College, Bedford.

Warhorse musicians (Holt, Parks, Simper, Wilson, and Poole) have since played together on several occasions, including 1985 and 2005, latterly for drummer Poole's 60th birthday. Poole died on 21 May 2015.[2]

Personnel

[edit]

Members

[edit]
  • Ashley Holt - lead vocals (1970-1974, 1985, 2005)
  • Nick Simper - bass guitar (1970-1974, 1985, 2005)
  • Mac Poole - drums (1970-1972, 1985, 2005; died 2015)
  • Ged Peck - guitar (1970-1971; died 2015)
  • Rick Wakeman - keyboards (1970)
  • Frank Wilson - keyboards (1970-1974, 1985, 2005)
  • Pete Parks - guitar (1971-1974, 1985, 2005)
  • Barney James - drums (1972-1974; died 2016)

Line-ups

[edit]
1970 1970-1971 1971-1972
(Reunions in 1985 and 2005) 		1972-1974
  • Ashley Holt - vocals
  • Ged Peck - guitar
  • Mac Poole - drums
  • Nick Simper - bass guitar
  • Frank Wilson - keyboards
  • Ashley Holt - vocals
  • Mac Poole - drums
  • Nick Simper - bass guitar
  • Frank Wilson - keyboards
  • Pete Parks - guitar
  • Ashley Holt - vocals
  • Nick Simper - bass guitar
  • Frank Wilson - keyboards
  • Pete Parks - guitar
  • Barney James - drums

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]

Compilation albums

[edit]
  • Best of Warhorse (1986)
  • Outbreak of Hostilities (1991)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 476. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  2. ^ "Drummer Mac Poole dead after cancer battle - TeamRock". 26 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
[edit]
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