THE GLASS MENAGERIE – “Frederick Jordan” / “I Said Goodbye To Me” (Pye 7N.17615) September 1968

Not one but two suicide-type songs of depression and extreme despair. top deck is a Nilsson product and could go a long way to establishing this talented group. (Record Mirror, 28/09/68)

THE GLASS MENAGERIE – “She’s A Rainbow” / “That’s When I Start To Love Her” (Pye 7N.17518) April 1968

Don’t know what the Stones will make of this version of the Jagger-Richard number, but the group sure makes a very commercial job of it. Uninhibited vocal, organ, twangs and double-time rattling tambourine put in a class not to far short of the original. (NME, April 1968)

“She’s A Rainbow” is fair enough, with a vibrato-laden lead voice – builds the atmosphere quite attractively. (Record Mirror, 20/04/68)

‘Progressive Underground’ Menagerie

Four Lancashire lads, from the depths of Rowtenstall to be exact, have joined forces with fellow north-countryman, Chas Chandler, and hope that this combination may give them a well-deserved chart success.

“We’re all from the north and proud of it too!” 22-year old John Medley exuberantly informed me, when we met. “I think northeners are very honest and friendly, there’s nothing false about them.”

Obviously a quality that is very desirable in a business where constructive criticism and help is important. Glass Menagerie obviously appreciate the way in which Chas Chandler advised them and handles their recording interests:

“We had lots of ideas for recording,” explained 24-year-old lead guitarist Al Kendall, “We went down into the studios and set up all our equipment.”

“Yes,” laughed bass guitarist John, recalling the occasion. “We felt highly confident, but we took one look at the control panel and stood there going red round the ears! We just didn’t know where to start. The next thing we knew Chas had wandered in and he began to advise and help us.”

“Chas was really tremendous,” added 22-year old drummer Bill Atkinson. “He even pointed out the exact spot where I should hit the cymbal or drum. Jimi Hendrix came into the studio while we were recording and he was really taken aback by all the people there. He came and shook hands with us, then quietly disappeared.”

The Glass Menagerie | Frederick Jordan | Pye | 1968

Chas Chandler himself can best take up the story at this point:

“Glass Menagerie are managed by John Gunnell and his Organisation and John asked me if I would be interested in producing the group,” he told me in a ‘phone call. “I said ‘Yeh’ because you get a bit sick of doing nothing. I went down to see Glass Menagerie on a gig and liked them.

“One day when they were recording in the studios I sat by for about an hour and saw that they were getting nowhere, so I helped out. They had a good few ideas about what they wanted to do, but they didn’t know how to put it down.”

Glass Menagerie’s latest release “Have You Forgotten Who You Are?” (Polydor) was the result of these recording sessions, as well as an album which is due for release in six weeks’ time. All the compositions are original numbers written by 20-year old group organist and vocalist Lou Stonebridge, who also composed “Have You Forgotten Who You Are?”

“It doesn’t worry me that I have the added responsibility of having written the numbers.” Lou told me. “Music is my whole life and I don’t find it difficult to write. Al also writes some material with me. We’ve changed our style lately because the group has changed.”

Until September, Glass Menagerie consisted of five members. When their organist left. Lou took over on organ as well as vocals and although he has only been playing Hammond for three months his musical ability has already been highly praised.

Underground Progressive

Glass Menagerie now describe their musical style as “underground progressive, a sort of Procul Harum type group.”

“If this record goes.” Lou told me. “our management will be watching very closely to make sure that we don’t make the same mistake that Harum made with their follow-up.”

Glass Menagerie are a hard-working dedicated group who have only missed a gig when they were stuck in a snow drift on the way to Birmingham.

“It’s very important to get to bookings in good time.” said Lou. “That’s why we’re particularly proud of our roadies Jeff and Bob, we must give them a mention, they work very hard!”

Glass Menagerie have recently acquired a house in Tulse which they share with Jeff and Bob. In their spare time they can be found locked away in their own rooms pursuing their hobbies. Bill was once an engineer and continues this interest by building model cars, which he sends down the garden path for trigger-happy John to shoot at!

Al is the great organiser of the group and is responsible for waking them up in the mornings —that is if the neighbour’s dog hasn’t achieved this object first!

All of Glass Menagerie claim to he excellent cooks and before we parted they offered a kind invitation to join them for a steak meal. Perhaps it will be a celebration dinner to mark the chart entry of “Have You Forgotten Who You Are?” (Valerie Mabbs, vintage music press)