DAVE LAMBERT was born in Hounslow, Middlesex, and showed his desire to make music from a young age. He first learnt to play drums, then moved on to ukelele and guitar at the ripe old age of seven, and made his onstage debut at Alexandra Junior School when he was eleven years old.
In 1963 he began writing his own material, and in 1966 Dave formed FRIDAY'S CHYLD together with BOB VOICE (a friend from Dave's Boys' Brigade days), and DICK DUFALL. The following year the band's name was changed to FIRE, and Dave wrote "FATHER'S NAME IS DAD" which was recorded and released to much acclaim.
Dave turned fully professional on 1st January 1968 and whilst writing a new stage act for Fire he broke new ground by penning a very early concept album; a musical fairytale entitled "THE MAGIC SHOEMAKER". The album, now a much sought-after collectors' item, was released in 1970 on the PYE label and included contributions from DAVE COUSINS (whom Dave Lambert had first met at an early STRAWBS concert) on banjo, and PAUL BRETT on electric guitar.
"THE MAGIC SHOEMAKER" - FIRE
Despite success, Fire disbanded when Dave felt he had reached creative stagnation and became disillusioned with the unfathomable workings of the music industry. However, in late 2007, Dave, Bob and Dick were delighted to perform together for the first time in 37 years! "The Magic Shoemaker" album, together with other Fire classics including "Father's Name is Dad" and "Treacle Toffee World", was performed for the first (and second!) time ever at THE WINDLESHAM THEATRE on 30th November and 1st December.
The concerts were professionally recorded, and a new FIRE CD entitled "THE MAGIC SHOEMAKER - LIVE!" is due for release on 6th October 2008 on the Angel Air Records label.
"THE MAGIC SHOEMAKER - LIVE!" is now available for pre-release orders from several major retailers, including Play.com and Amazon.
DAVE LAMBERT PERFORMING "IT'S JUST LOVE" SOLO DURING THE WINDLESHAM FIRE REUNION CONCERTS
During the concerts, Fire's earliest manager, RAY HAMMOND, kept the audience enthralled with narration of the fairytale which served to introduce each song (and had been cunningly rewritten by Dave to include "FATHER'S NAME IS DAD" and "TREACLE TOFFEE WORLD"). The standing ovations Fire received (many fans having travelled from overseas) confirmed the resounding success of the venture.
The catalyst for Fire to reunite occurred in late 2006 when Dave was shown a book entitled “THEN NOW AND RARE: BRITISH BEAT 1960-1969” by TERRY RAWLINGS, which features a full page Fire spread. Dave was recently further surprised to be shown another book featuring his career and the history of Fire; "THOSE WERE THE DAYS: AN UNOFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE BEATLES' APPLE ORGANISATION 1967-2001" by STEFAN GRANADOS. Dave admits it feels strange now to be reading about events from so early in his career!
In April 2008 Dave discovered through chance conversation that the guitar riffs he wrote for "Father's Name is Dad" have been used by THE PET SHOP BOYS! Their 2004 CD entitled "FLAMBOYANT" featured a b-side entitled "I DIDN'T GET WHERE I AM TODAY" which prominently used Dave's riffs, with Dave credited as a co-writer. Dave was both delighted and stunned to hear the news for the first time!
A vinyl album entitled “UNDERGROUND AND OVERHEAD: THE ALTERNATE FIRE” containing tracks from “The Magic Shoemaker”, together with classics including “Father’s Name is Dad”, “Will I Find Love” and “Treacle Toffee World” was released in 1997 on the TENTH PLANET label. More recently, the album was re-released in CD format by WOODEN HILL and is currently available with six additional recordings, making a total of nineteen tracks.
Following the demise of Fire in 1970, Dave frequently performed onstage with Dave Cousins - but not as a duo - instead, the two Daves would each play their own songs, first one would play then challenge the other to follow with a song of their own in the same context, and so on throughout the concert.
Whilst working as a solo act supporting MUNGO JERRY on a British tour, however, Dave was invited to form a new outfit with Mungo members PAUL KING and COLIN EARL. Bass player RUSSELL BROWN and percussionist JOE RUSH were added, leading to the 1971 formation of THE KING EARL BOOGIE BAND. Two singles, "PLASTIC JESUS" and "STARLIGHT" were released, together with an album released in 1972 entitled "TROUBLE AT MILL". The sessions were produced by Dave Cousins and TOM ALLOM.
"TROUBLE AT MILL" - KING EARL BOOGIE BAND
During that same period Dave was also in much demand working as a session musician on a variety of different projects, including the theme tune for a popular television programme called "ASK ASPEL". RICK WAKEMAN wrote the tune, which was recorded during the summer of 1971 by Rick, Dave, RICHARD HUDSON and JOHN FORD. Dave Lambert and Rick Wakeman collaborated shortly afterwards to write the film score for “ZEE & CO.” (better known as “X, Y & ZEE” in the USA), which was released in 1972 and starred Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine and Susannah York.
In 1972 also, together with fellow Strawbs Dave Cousins and CHAS CRONK (who also played bass on the "Zee & Co" film score), Dave Lambert played on Rick Wakeman's highly successful first solo album “THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII”.
Rick, the two Daves and Chas were reunited in 2007 when they recorded a special live session at Shepperton Film Studios for “RICK’S PLACE”, Rick's weekly radio programme on PLANET ROCK. The recording took place on the stage where "THE OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST" was recorded from 1971-87.
Wakeman, Cronk, Cousins, Lambert - Planet Rock Apr.'07 (pic D.Greener)
R-L: Wakeman, Lambert, Cousins, Cronk - April 2007
Acoustic Strawbs were once again reunited with Rick Wakeman on 8th August 2008 when they were invited to play at Rick's Celebrity Classic and Golf Gala Dinner at Cobham Hilton. The event was held in aid of SPARKS, a charity which assists premature babies among other causes.
Back to 1972.....in September of that year, having recently played on Dave Cousins' first solo album "TWO WEEKS LAST SUMMER", Dave Lambert joined Strawbs and soon enjoyed album and singles successes including:
"LAY DOWN" -Strawbs
"PART OF THE UNION"
Though arguably best-known in the UK for their singles chart successes, Strawbs have released a large catalogue of albums which have achieved chart success worldwide. Dave contributed in both writing and playing terms to Strawbs' most highly-regarded albums, which include:
In 1978 Dave recorded his first solo album, "FRAMED", in Los Angeles, which presented him with what sadly turned out to be his only opportunity to record with another old friend from Boys' Brigade - JOHN ENTWISTLE of THE WHO. John played bass on the album.
"FRAMED" - DAVE LAMBERT
During the early 1980's Dave returned to an early passion - skiing - and from 1986 - 1998 he worked as a ski instructor, also performing shows as a solo musician three times a week, in Niederau, Austria.
Dave rejoined Strawbs when the band reformed for a massively successful 30th anniversary concert in the grounds of Chiswick House in August 1998, and despite having thought he'd retired from professional musicianship he soon found himself happily touring and recording once again.
Dave and fellow Strawbs past and present share the stage for encores at the band's CHISWICK HOUSE 30th Anniversary Concert.
Since then, several further albums featuring Dave's work have been released, including:
Strawbs' DVDs also recently released include:
"WORK IN PROGRESS" - DAVE LAMBERT
In 2004, Dave's second solo album entitled "WORK IN PROGRESS" was released on the WITCHWOOD RECORDS label.
"TOUCH THE EARTH" - LAMBERT CRONK
In April 2007 an album of songs entitled "TOUCH THE EARTH", written and recorded by Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk, was released on the Witchwood Media label. The album, released under the name of LAMBERT CRONK, features contributions from former Strawbs TONY FERNANDEZ and ANDY RICHARDS, and also NICK MAGNUS and IAN MOSLEY, both of whom Chas worked with during his time in STEVE HACKETT's BAND. Most of the material was written during the 1980s and was to have been released by EMI at the time, but due to the numerous commitments of the musicians involved release was shelved. Thankfully, the material has now seen the light of day, however. Two brand new songs, one written by Dave and one by Chas, are included on the album. Two brand new songs, one written by Dave and one by Chas, are included on the album.
"THE BROKEN HEARTED BRIDE"
STRAWBS' new album, due for release on 8th September in the UK and 7th October in the USA.
The album was recorded during April and May 2008 by the "Hero and Heroine" and "Ghosts" line-up of the band (currently touring the USA). Chris Tsangarides, whose studio is littered with gold discs for albums by Yngwie Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy and many others, produced "The Broken Heart Bride". New songs include the title track and "The Call to Action", samples of which may be heard here on MySpace, and two Dave Lambert solo compositions also feature: "You Know As Well As I" and "Shadowland".
Those who buy the album from Witchwood Records will currently also obtain a new live bonus CD by Dave's fellow Strawb, Dave Cousins, entitled "Dave Cousins - First Solo Tour", recorded during his US/Canada tour in March 2008. (Whilst this CD has been produced specially for use in this offer, please note that Witchwood reserves the right to sell off any stock remaining when the offer has finished.)
NEW DVD FOOTAGE!!! A taster of "LAY DOWN WITH THE STRAWBS" - released August 2008
Dave and fellow Strawbs performing "COLD STEEL" from the "LAY DOWN WITH THE STRAWBS" DVD
Strawbs' performance at The Robin 2, Bilston in 2006 was recorded for both DVD and CD releases entitled "LAY DOWN WITH THE STRAWBS", out NOW. (August 2008 - available from Secret Records - (www.secretrecordslimited.com) and other major retailers.)
Joining Strawbs on the 2006 tour was former band member John Ford (www.myspace.com/johnfordofthestrawbs) who flew over from New York where he now lives and continues to record and perform with his own band. The "Lay Down With The Strawbs" DVD and CD feature John performing a short solo set and joining with the band for a rousing rendition of "Part of the Union" - a great night recorded for posterity!
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