Fanny hailed from California but they were more popular in the U. K. where they were eventually banned from playing in the London Palladium for being too sexy. (By today's standards they dressed like nuns). The band consisted of June Millington on vocals and guitar with her sister Jean on bass. They were joined by Nickey Barclay on keyboards and Alice de Buhr on drums. Originally named Wild Honey, George Harrison suggested to producer Richard Perry that he change the group's name to Fanny, a word with much filthier connotations in Europe than it has in America. Unfortunately, the group didn't know this.
Fanny Hill, the ladies' third LP, was taken seriously by Warner Brothers. The sessions were produced by Perry who also worked with Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Leo Sayer, and more. The album was recorded in Apple Studios in London, England with Geoff Emerick, The Beatles famous engineer, spinning the knobs. It was recorded after they played behind Streisand on her 1971 rock record, Stony End.
The eleven song album opens with a kick-butt version of Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" and they rocked hard on two originals, "Blind Alley" and "Rock Bottom Blues." They also showed their sensitive, feminine side with the story of a young child on the acoustic "You've Got a Home." Side two opens with another cover, only this time they picked a more obscure song, The Beatles' "Hey Bulldog," that for my money ranks as one of the best covers of a Fab Four song ever put on vinyl. To the band's dismay Perry added horns and strings to a few of the tracks, which softened up the arrangements and made them sound more mainstream and commercial. Long out of print, this gem was never released on CD.
After two more albums and a couple of personnel changes Fanny broke up and was forgotten by almost everyone even though they led the way for the better known girl rockers who came later.
Fanny Hill was one of my favorite records of 1972 and during my days as a college DJ I overplayed these tracks regularly. First up is Hey Bulldog. Then listen to June Millington play some wicked slide guitar on Ain't That Peculiar. Finally, here is an old TV clip featuring this long forgotten band.
Genya Ravan's all-female band Goldie and the Gingerbreads was signed by Decca in '63, and Atlantic in '64. Cradle, the Quatro sisters' band after the Pleasure Seekers (and before one of themwent on to Fanny), was signed to Mercury, which was pretty major in '68.
ReplyDeleteBut Fanny was the first band to actually get much support from its label...and I've had my copy of this one for a lotta years, now...and I have to suspect that they were aware of FANNY HILL the novel, not to mention the euphemism for arse...
My love of this band is well documented! Just to say that Rhino issued a limited edition box-set some years back containing their 4 Reprise albums and a load of demos/outtakes and live cuts. Unfortunately the run is sold out but you can still download it from iTunes. Essential! Also, check out their website at www.fannyrocks.com
ReplyDeletePlease correct the inaccurate info in the article about their monicker being suggested by George Harrison - NOT TRUE!
ReplyDelete'Fanny' was a name suggested by June Millington herself:
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/70591-jean-millington-an-interview-with-a-rock-and-roll-survivor
I hope you can stop perpetuating this incorrect information.
Hi Anonymous. There is more than one place on the Internet that states that George Harrison suggested the name. You can find a couple of them HERE and HERE. It looks like we have contradictory information.
ReplyDelete