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Biography
During the '70's Pete Dodds
was a member of legendary Newcastle-based band Half Breed, who were
signed to the Beatles-run record label, Apple. They were co- managed by
Beatles tour manager, Mal Evans. Half Breed recorded a demo produced by
George Martin, but commercial success eluded them. Nonetheless Dodds
vividly remembers mixing and partying with such personalities as Keith
Moon, legendary drummer Jim Keltner and Klaus Voorman; the bassist who
befriended the Beatles in Hamburg and perhaps is best known for his
design for their 'Revolver' album cover, and as a member of Lennon's
post-Beatle group, The Plastic Ono Band.
When John Lennon and Yoko Ono wrote two new songs in the cause of
supporting what they felt was the wrongful arrest of three editors of OZ
magazine, it was decided to release a single. It was Billy Elliott -
Pete's long time colleague in Half Breed - who sang the lead vocal on
one of the songs, 'God Save Us'. Dodds subsequently became
involved when Half Breed were hired by Lennon (who was either unable or
unwilling to play live himself) when the ex-Beatle decided to send an
Elastic Oz Band on the road to promote the single.
When subsequent 'live' activity with the band ended a few weeks later,
Half Breed's Billy Elliott left the band and with Bobby Purvis
re-emerged as Splinter, best remembered for their 1974 hit single, 'Costafine
Town'.
Dodds and his colleagues hired two new members as replacements,
including future long time Lindisfarne member, Marty Craggs. In 1974,
Dodds left the group to concentrate on a solo career which he has done
ever since.
Check out Pete's
albums here
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In 1989, with a partner, Pete opened Uncle Sams, a recording studio in
Newcastle. Probably the studios' biggest success came with the
Lighthouse Family, who recorded their triple platinum,
million-and-a-half selling album 'Ocean Drive' - which included the
duo's first major hit, 'Lifted'- at Sams.
Uncle Sams was also where the Spender theme was recorded for Jimmy Nail,
who returned to the studio to record tracks featured in both series of
Crocodile Shoes.
Pete's 1990 solo single 'Cardboard City' (Dingles) was 'A' listed by
several UK radio stations, as well as Downtown Sound in Northern
Ireland. Pete also worked with Glen Brown and Dennis Humphries of
Bodgers Mate and Proper Little Madams, as well as the late, lamented
Rick Gretsch, formerly of Blind Faith whom pete had known from a solo
tour whilst touring with Leicester favourites, Family.
Forced to sell his interest in the studio in 1999 following discovery of
his cancer, Pete Dodds remains anxious to let the world hear his own
work, having supported so many others musically in the past.
Among musicians who appear on many of the often thought-provoking songs
are Marty Craggs, Kathryn Tickell, Ewen Carruthers and noted session
guitarist Jim Hornsby.
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