The Pretty Things

The Pretty Things

The Pretty Things are an English rock band from London, formed in 1963 in Sidcup, Kent. They take their name from Willie Dixon’s 1955 song “Pretty Thing” and emerge from the same South East London art school scene that also produces early members of the Rolling Stones. Dick Taylor and Phil May form the group after Taylor leaves the newly formed Rolling Stones; May sings and plays harmonica, while Taylor returns to guitar.

Early line-up and first success

The original line-up includes Phil May, Dick Taylor, Brian Pendleton on rhythm guitar, John Stax on bass and Viv Prince on drums. The band later becomes known for a raw, hard-edged rhythm and blues style and for a confrontational stage presence. Their early singles “Rosalyn”, “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “Honey I Need” all enter the UK singles chart in 1964 and 1965. Although they do not have a US hit, they gain success in the UK and in Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands.

Their early music draws on blues artists such as Bo Diddley and Jimmy Reed, and their sound becomes part of the British invasion era. They are also a major influence on US garage bands, including the MC5 and The Seeds, and on other 1960s groups such as The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds. Their song “Midnight to Six Man” becomes associated with mod culture.

Line-up changes and psychedelic period

Personnel changes begin during the 1960s. Viv Prince leaves in late 1965 and is replaced by Skip Alan. Brian Pendleton leaves in late 1966. John Stax departs in early 1967, after which Jon Povey and Wally Waller join and restore the band to a five-piece. After a brief move towards mainstream pop on the album Emotions, the group develops a more psychedelic direction.

This period leads to S.F. Sorrow, a concept album recorded during 1967 and 1968 and released in 1968. It is often regarded as one of the first rock operas and appears before The Who’s Tommy. It is recorded at Abbey Road Studios, with Norman Smith producing, and follows the release of records by The Beatles and Pink Floyd that share a similar late-1960s psychedelic character. Parachute follows and is widely regarded as one of the group’s key albums; Rolling Stone names it Album of the Year in 1970. During this era the band also records an album for Philippe DeBarge, intended for private circulation and later bootlegged.

Later work and reunions

In the early 1970s, the band moves towards hard rock and early heavy metal while remaining rooted in blues. Albums from this period include Silk Torpedo. In 1980, Cross Talk adds punk and New Wave influences to their sound. Although these records do not bring major commercial success, the band maintains a cult following among critics and other musicians.

During the 1980s they perform only sporadically, then reform in 1990 for a European blues tour with Stan Webb’s Chicken Shack and Luther Allison. This touring line-up includes Hans Waterman on drums, Roelf ter Velt on bass and Barkley McKay on guitar and keyboards. The band tours the European mainland with a blues and rhythm-and-blues set until 1994. In 1995 they reform the Cross Talk line-up and add Frank Holland on guitar in place of Peter Tolson. Snapper Music issues remastered editions with bonus tracks, and the band releases a DVD of a re-recorded S.F. Sorrow session at Abbey Road with guest appearances by Dave Gilmour and Arthur Brown.

In the early 2000s they release new recordings including a live album and the studio album Rage Before Beauty. Their final tour takes place in 2018. Bare as Bone, Bright as Blood is released in 2020.

Members and legacy

Over the years, the band’s line-up also includes Victor Unitt, Pete Tolson, Gordon John Edwards, Jack Green and George Woosey. Phil May dies in 2020, Brian Pendleton in 2001, Jon Povey in 2023 and Viv Prince in 2025. The Pretty Things remain associated with British rhythm and blues, garage rock, pop rock, psychedelic pop, psychedelic rock and rock.