Bronx Cheer

Bronx Cheer

Bronx Cheer are a United Kingdom jug band active from 1968 to 1973. The line-up includes Brian Cookman, Chas Johnson, Tony Knight and John Reed.

Origins and early development

John Reed and Tony Knight begin playing together on the London folk circuit in the early 1960s after moving in the same Harlow neighbourhood. Brian Cookman joins them in 1964, and the trio first perform in a style influenced by The Kingston Trio. They then move towards an old-time sound under the name Fruit Jar Drinkers.

After seeing the Levee Breakers, a jug band that features Beverley Martyn, Ralph McTell and Mack McGann, the group adopts jug band music and changes its name to Jug Trsut. In this period they record a few songs at a studio owned by Ron Geesin and make an appearance on Anglia Television, but without success.

Bronx Cheer recordings

In 1970 keyboardist Chas Johnson joins the group and the Bronx Cheer name is adopted. The band releases records on Parlophone and Dawn and is heard regularly on national radio. Around this time they also record their first album, Bronx Cheer's Greatest Hits Volume Three.

Later line-up changes and split

Tony Knight leaves in 1974 to concentrate on furniture design. Drummer Pete Radley and bassist Rob Hull are added to strengthen the sound, and the band tours with this expanded line-up. After a few gigs, Pete Radley is replaced by Pete Sullivan.

The group then moves away from jug band music towards a more eclectic style and records material for a second album, but it does not secure a label for release. The band breaks up after this and leaves the music industry, apart from Brian Cookman, who continues in jug bands until his death from cancer in 2005.