This is intended to be a homage to very many musicians I've loved since I started listening to music. My intention is to tell what I know about them, hoping that those people who like them too, will help me fill numerous gaps, which I may have in their careers and discographies. Sorry, but there are no MP3 audio files here at all, just info (and love for the musicians).


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Saturday 19 February 2011

Conrad Isidore (drums)


BANDS:
  • One [1969]
  • Manfred Mann Chapter Three [1970-Dec 70]
  • Chris Stainton Band [Jan 72-Feb 72]
  • Joe Cocker Band [1972]
  • Hanson [1973-Nov 73]
  • Hummingbird [Aug 74-?]
  • Vince Charles Band
  • Steppin-Out

BIOGRAPHY:

Fantastic drummer, he has played in great albums and bands, as we´re going to read. He´s often mispelled as Conrad Isadore. Brother of guitarist Gus Isidore and the late drummer Reg Isidore.

Conrad Isidore while in Hummingbird



ONE


This was the lineup for One, around 1969:

ONE #?
1969
Alan Marshall
vocals, guitar, harmonica
Kevin Fogarty
guitar
Brent Forbes
bass
Norman Leppard
sax

They released an album, One, before splitting. The album features someone called Bobby Sass on guitar and vocals, but my guess is that he´s Bobby Tench (at that time, using the pseudonym Bobby Gass, so maybe it´s just a typo). Can someone confirm that point, please?


MANFRED MANN CHAPTER THREE


Manfred Mann Chapter Three toured extensively promoting the album, even in the States, where they shared bill with Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore East in May 1970. Also 3 days at Fillmore West with Boz Scaggs, Steve Miller and Janis Joplin. Conrad Isidore, who appeared in the album, joined the band full time for the American concerts.

MANFRED MANN CHAPTER THREE #3
1970
Mike Hugg
vocals, keyboards
Manfred Mann
keyboards
Steve York
bass
Bernie Living
sax, flute
+
Sonny Corbett
trumpet
Carl Griffith
flute
Dave Coxhill
sax
Clive Stevens
sax
Gerald Drewett
trombone

By that time, the lineup in Manfred Mann Chapter Three had changed, as Bernie Living had already left. For their next concerts in England, they augmented the lineup with a fantastic section of vocalists.

MANFRED MANN CHAPTER THREE #4
1970-Dec 70
Mike Hugg
vocals, keyboards
Manfred Mann
keyboards
Steve York
bass
+
Sonny Corbett
trumpet
Carl Griffith
flute
Dave Coxhill
sax
Clive Stevens
sax
Gerald Drewett
trombone
+
Linda Lewis
vocals
Liza Strike
vocals

They started recording a 3rd album with help from session drummer Chris Slade, but poor sales and disappointment led Manfred Mann to finally split the band, sending the album to a shelf, where it still remains. This was around December 1970.


CHRIS STAINTON BAND


After his experience in The Grease Band, Chris Stainton thinks it´s time to have his own band as a leader, in January 1972. A bit in the style of Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Chris forms another mega-band. It´s not possible to trace the multiple lineup changes, so here's the complete list of musicians:

CHRIS STAINTON BAND #?
Jan 72-Feb 72
Chris Stainton
keyboards, vocals
Neil Hubbard
guitar
Glenn ´Ross´ Campbell
guitar
Alan Spenner
bass
Jim Price
trumpet
Rick Alfonso
trumpet
Bobby Keys
sax
Fred Scerbo
sax
Felix Flaco Falcon
percussion
Jim Keltner
drums
Jim Karstein
drums
Alan White
drums
+ backing vocalists, unknown to me. Help!
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê
Joe Cocker Bandê

They played their first concert at Madison Square Garden, but after bad reviews, Chris calls his friend Joe Cocker to join, in February 1972.


JOE COCKER BAND


When Joe Cocker joins Chris Stainton in February 1972, they change their name to Chris Stainton Band With Joe Cocker:

JOE COCKER BAND #?
1972-?
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
êChris Stainton Band
Joe Cocker
vocals
Chris Stainton
keyboards, vocals
Neil Hubbard
guitar
Glenn ´Ross´ Campbell
guitar
Alan Spenner
bass
Jim Price
trumpet
Rick Alfonso
trumpet
Bobby Keys
sax
Fred Scerbo
sax
Felix Flaco Falcon
percussion
Jim Keltner
drums
Jim Karstein
drums
Alan White
drums
+ backing vocalists, unknown to me. Help!

Can someone tell me if the live backing vocalists were at that point Viola Wills, Gloria Jones, Virginia Ayers and Beverley Gardner, please?

They released an album, Something to say, credited to Joe Cocker, with most of the lineup mentioned above (Cocker, Stainton, Hubbard, Spenner, Alphonso, Sherbo, Isadore, Keltner, White), and Jim Horn (sax), Milton Sloane (sax), the late Rebop Kwaku Baah (percussion), plus vocals by Virginia Ayers, Viola Wills and Gloria Jones.

And then, they started changing musicians.

This is a different configuration for Joe Cocker Band in their tour in 1972, now including Conrad Isidore and Glenn ´Ross´ Campbell:

JOE COCKER BAND #?
1972
Joe Cocker
vocals
Neil Hubbard
guitar
Glenn ´Ross´ Campbell
steel guitar
Alan Spenner
bass
Chris Stainton
keyboards
Jim Price
trumpet
Jim Horn
sax, flute
Bobby Keys
sax
Felix Flaco Falcon
percussion
Jim Karstein
drums
Viola Wills
backing vocals
Virginia Ayers
backing vocals
Beverley Gardner
backing vocals

They recorded two tracks for the live album Live in LA, released in 1976, but recorded in 1972.


HANSON


Around 1973, Conrad Isidore joined the band Hanson:

HANSON #?
1973-Nov 73
Junior Marvin
guitar, vocals as Junior Hanson
Clive Chaman
bass
Jean Roussel
keyboards

They released an album with this lineup, Now hear this. It contains guest appearances by Bobby Tench, and the late ones Rebop and Chris Wood.

But the band changed completely in November 1973.

HUMMINGBIRD


In August 1974, Bobby Tench forms his own band, Hummingbird. The initial lineup was:

HUMMINGBIRD #1
Aug 74-?
Bobby Tench
guitar, vocals
Bernie Holland
guitar
Clive Chaman
bass
Max Middleton
keyboards

Their first album, Hummingbird, contained guest appearance by Linda Lewis on vocals. Conrad was later replaced by Bernard Purdie.


AND THEN...


And then, I have a huge gap, as I haven't heard from Conrad Isidore in 25 years! Help, please!


VINCE CHARLES BAND


At the end of the 90s, Conraid Isidore was playing in Vince Charles & Friends:

VINCE CHARLES BAND #?
?
Vince Charles
steel drums
Wendy Harrison
steel drums
Clarence Robinson
bass
J R Crawford
keyboards

They have released an album with Conrad, Caribbean Christmas.


AND THEN...


And then, again, I haven´t more info about Conrad Isidore.


STEPPIN-OUT


Around 2007, Conrad Isidore was involved in recordings and gigs with the band Steppin-Out, led by Marty Hernandez:

STEPPIN-OUT #?
?
Marty Hernandez
guitar
+ 6 others unknown to me. Help!

Sorry, as I haven´t any additional info. Can someone help, please?

DISCOGRAPHY: (24 albums known to me - Status: Quite advanced)

ALBUMS AS A BAND MEMBER (7 credits)
  • One - One (1969)

    • Members: Brent Forbes, Conrad Isidore, Norman Leppard, Alan Marshall
    • Guests: Bobby Tench
  • Manfred Mann Chapter Three Volume Two - Manfred Mann Chapter Three (10/1970)

    • Members: Craig Collinge, Sonny Corbett, Dave Coxhill, Mike Hugg, Conrad Isidore, Bernie Living, Manfred Mann, Clive Stevens, Steve York
    • Guests: Dave Brooks, Gerry Field, Andy McCulloch (RIP: Harry Beckett)
    • Comments: The band started recording their 2nd album, Manfred Mann Chapter Three Volume Two, but their drummer left them during the sessions. They used two great session drummers, Conrad Isidore and Andrew McCulloch. The horn players on it are: Sonny Corbett, Dave Coxhill, Dave Brooks (sax), Clive Stevens (sax), Harry Beckett (trumpet). Also appearing Gerry Field on violin.
    • My opinion: The music in the album is very dense, with fantastic moments, where Steve York work on bass is outstanding.
  • Something to say - Joe Cocker (12/1972)

    • Members: Rick Alfonso, Virginia Ayers, Joe Cocker, Beverley Gardner, Jim Horn, Neil Hubbard, Conrad Isidore, Gloria Jones, Jim Keltner, Fred Scerbo, Chris Stainton, Alan White (RIP: Felix Flaco Falcon, Alan Spenner, Viola Wills)
    • Guests: (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah)
    • Producer: (RIP: Denny Cordell)
  • Now hear this - Hanson (1973)

    • Members: Clive Chaman, Conrad Isidore, Junior Marvin, Jean Roussel
    • Guests: Delisle Harper, Stephen ´Doc´ Kupka, Godfrey McLean, Bobby Tench (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Chris Wood)
    • Technical: John Burns
  • Hummingbird - Hummingbird (1975)

    • Members: Clive Chaman, Bernie Holland, Conrad Isidore, Max Middleton, Bobby Tench
    • Guests: Linda Lewis
    • Producer: (RIP: Ian Samwell)
  • Live in LA - Joe Cocker (12/1976)

    • Members: Virginia Ayers, Glenn ´Ross´ Campbell, Joe Cocker, Beverley Gardner, Jim Horn, Neil Hubbard, Conrad Isidore, Jim Karstein, Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Chris Stainton (RIP: Felix Flaco Falcon, Alan Spenner, Viola Wills)
    • Technical: Steve Nye
    • Comments: Recorded live in different concerts in 1972, but released in 1976. It features three different lineups of Joe Cocker Band.
  • Caribbean Christmas - Vince Charles (1997)

    • Members: Conrad Isidore (RIP: Vince Charles)
    • Guests: Robert Greenidge, Tom Hensley, Larry Klimas, Alan Lindgren, Don Markese, Pat Murphy, Simeon Pillich, John Pisano, Ralph Rickert
ALBUMS WITH BANDMATES AND FRIENDS (1 credit)
  • Vinegar Joe - Vinegar Joe (1972)

    • Members: Elkie Brooks, Pete Gage, John Hawken, Rob Tait, Steve York (RIP: Robert Palmer, Dave Thompson)
    • Guests: Roger Ball, Dave Brooks, Malcolm ´Molly´ Duncan, Keef Hartley, Tim Hinkley, Conrad Isidore, Gaspar Lawal, Michael Rosen
SESSIONS (13 credits)
  • Stephen Stills - Stephen Stills (1970)

    • Members: Graham Nash, Calvin ´Fuzzy´ Samuels, Stephen Stills, Dallas Taylor
    • Guests: John Barbata, Eric Clapton, Priscilla Coolidge, Rita Coolidge, David Crosby, Sydney George, Conrad Isidore, Booker T Jones, Claudia Lennear, Shirley Matthews, Judith Powell, John Sebastian, Larry Steele, Liza Strike, Jeff Whittaker (RIP: Cass Elliot, Richie Hayward, Jimi Hendrix)
  • Pygmy - Keith Christmas (1971)

    • Guests: Rod Argent, Conrad Isidore, Katie Kissoon, Roger Powell, Calvin ´Fuzzy´ Samuels, Adrian Shaw, Bob Stewart, Ray Warleigh (RIP: Robert Kirby)
    • Producer: Sandy Roberton
    • Technical: Jerry Boys
  • Blue Memphis - Memphis Slim (1971)

    • Members: (RIP: Memphis Slim)
    • Guests: Nick Evans, Tristan Fry, Peter Green, Conrad Isidore, Karl Jenkins, John Paul Jones, Henry Lowther, Brian Smith, Chris Spedding, Larry Steele, Stan Sulzmann, Steven Thompson, Kenny Wheeler, Pete Wingfield (RIP: Harry Beckett, Duster Bennett, Pete King)
  • Stephen Stills 2 - Stephen Stills (1971)

    • Members: Paul Harris, Calvin ´Fuzzy´ Samuels, Stephen Stills, Dallas Taylor
    • Guests: Eric Clapton, Dr John, Rocky Dzidzornu, Sydney George, Jack Hale, Conrad Isidore, Wayne Johnson, Gaspar Lawal, Nils Lofgren, Andrew Love (RIP: James Mitchell, Billy Preston)
  • Rebop - Rebop Kwaku Baah (1972)

    • Members: (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah)
    • Guests: John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick, Rosko Gee, Delisle Harper, Gordon Hunte, Conrad Isidore, Junior Marvin, Chris Mercer, Eddie Quansah, Jean Roussel, Kenny Wheeler, Steve Winwood (RIP: Chris Wood)
    • Comments: This late Nigerian percussionist belonged to the groups Traffic and Can, played together with Chris in Wynder K. Frog, and he also played in many sessions during the seventies. This was his first solo album, and he received back help from several artists who had Rebop in their albums. From Traffic: Stevie Winwood, Rosko Gee (bass) and Chris Wood (sax). From Keef Hartley Band: Junior Kerr (guitar) and Jean Roussel (keyboards). And from Gonzalez band: DeLisle Harper (bass), Gordon Hunte (guitar) and Chris Mercer (sax). Plus: Eddie Quansah (trumpet), John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (keyboards), Conrad Isidore (drums).
  • Fathoms deep - Linda Lewis (1973)

    • Members: Robert Ahwai, Phil Chen, Jim Cregan, Domino, Steve Gregory, Linda Lewis, Chris Mercer, Max Middleton
    • Guests: Richard Bailey, Clive Chaman, Mick Eve, Conrad Isidore, Poli Palmer, Allan Sharpe, Larry Steele, Bobby Tench, Danny Thompson (RIP: Ron Carthy, Lowell George)
    • Comments: A very talented singer who collaborated with artists such as Cat Stevens, Pete Bardens (from Camel), Elton John, David Bowie, Chris Spedding, and many other artists, such as Streetwalkers and Hummingbird. On this album, we can find the late Lowell George (guitar, from Little Feat), her then-husband Jim Cregan (guitar, from Family), Danny Thompson (bass, from Pentangle), Phil Chen (bass, then in Keef Hartley Band) and Poli Palmer (flute, from Family). From Hummingbird: Bobby Tench (guitar), Robert Ahwai (guitar), Clive Chaman (bass), Max Middleton (keyboards) and Conrad Isadore (drums). From Gonzalez: Chris Mercer (sax), Richard Bailey (drums), Ron Carthy (trumpet), Mick Eve (sax), Steve Gregory (sax, keyboards).
  • River - Terry Reid (1973)

    • Members: David Lindley, Lee Miles, Terry Reid
    • Guests: Conrad Isidore (RIP: Willie Bobo)
  • Broken arrows - Rabbit (04/1973)

    • Members: John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick
    • Guests: Pete Carr, Conrad Isidore, Simon Kirke, Chris Laurence, Junior Marvin, Eddie Quansah, Snuffy Walden, Tetsu Yamauchi (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah, Jim Capaldi)
  • Back street crawler - Paul Kossoff (12/1973)

    • Members: (RIP: Paul Kossoff)
    • Guests: John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick, Trevor Burton, Clive Chaman, Andy Fraser, Conrad Isidore, Simon Kirke, Jess Roden, Paul Rodgers, Jean Roussel, Alan White, Tetsu Yamauchi (RIP: John Martyn, Alan Spenner)
  • Le Maudit - Veronique Sanson (1974)

    • Members: Leland Sklar
    • Guests: Donnie Dacus, Jimmie Haskell, Conrad Isidore, Russ Kunkel, Joe Lala, Harvey Mason, Kenny Passarelli, John Rotella, Stephen Stills (RIP: Gary Kellgren)
  • Take a look inside - Mickey Baker (1975)

    • Members: Mickey Baker
    • Guests: P P Arnold, Dyan Birch, Frank Collins, Conrad Isidore, Paddy McHugh, Calvin ´Fuzzy´ Samuels, Chris Spedding, Pete York (RIP: Willie Mabon, Kieran O´Connor, Doris Troy)
    • Comments: The album was recorded in 1971, but it was finally released in 1975. The CD reissue contains 3 bonus tracks.
  • Stills - Stephen Stills (1975)

    • Members: Donnie Dacus, Russ Kunkel, Joe Lala, Graham Nash, Kenny Passarelli, Rick Roberts, Calvin ´Fuzzy´ Samuels, Stephen Stills, Dallas Taylor, George Terry, Tubby Ziegler (RIP: Jerry Aiello)
    • Guests: David Crosby, Jim Fox, Conrad Isidore, Claudia Lennear, Marcy Levy, Leland Sklar, Ringo Starr
  • Walking on sunshine - Eddy Grant (1979)

COMPILATIONS (SESSIONS) (3 credits)
  • CSN - Crosby Stills & Nash (10/1991)

    • Members: John Barbata, Tony Beard, Joel Bernstein, David Crosby, Donnie Dacus, Craig Doerge, Tim Drummond, Mike Finnigan, Bob Glaub, Paul Harris, Chris Hillman, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Joe Lala, Phil Lesh, David Lindley, Graham Nash, James Newton Howard, Dean Parks, Al Perkins, George Perry, Greg Reeves, Calvin ´Fuzzy´ Samuels, Michael Stergis, Stephen Stills, Dallas Taylor, Efrain Toro, Joe Vitale, Neil Young, Tubby Ziegler (RIP: Ben Keith, Bruce Palmer)
    • Guests: Jack Casady, Tony Concepcion, Rita Coolidge, Chris Ethridge, Venetta Fields, Michael Fisher, Joe Galdo, Art Garfunkel, Jim Gordon, Jimmie Haskell, Conrad Isidore, Cleopatra Kennedy, Carole King, Clydie King, Bill Kreutzmann, Michael Landau, Marcy Levy, Branford Marsalis, Dave Mason, Shirley Matthews, Joni Mitchell, Dorothy Morrison, Jimmy Page, John Sambataro, Timothy B Schmit, John Sebastian, Sid Sharp, Leland Sklar, James Taylor, Jeff Whittaker (RIP: Gloria Coleman, Jerry Garcia, Michael Hedges, Jimi Hendrix, Fred Neil)
    • Producer: Howard Albert, Ron Albert (RIP: Paul Rothchild)
    • Technical: Niko Bolas, Joe Gastwirt, Andy Johns, Glyn Johns (RIP: Don Gooch, Gary Kellgren, Henry Lewy, Gerry Tolman)
    • Comments: 4CD boxset featuring tracks by Crosby Stills & Nash, also Neil Young in some songs and their different combinations (including Manassas). Some of the tracks were unreleased.
  • The Best of Paul Kossoff - Paul Kossoff (11/2003)

    • Members: Tony Braunagel, John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick, Andy Fraser, Simon Kirke, Paul Rodgers, Terry Wilson, Terry Wilson-Slesser (RIP: Paul Kossoff)
    • Guests: Clive Chaman, Conrad Isidore, Jess Roden, Jean Roussel
    • Producer: (RIP: Guy Stevens)
    • Comments: Compilation with 2 solo tracks plus songs played by Free and Back Street Crawler.
  • Paris Mississippi Blues - Memphis Slim (02/2005)

    • Members: (RIP: Memphis Slim)
    • Guests: Mickey Baker, David Briggs, Fito De La Parra, Jacques Denjean, Tristan Fry, Peter Green, Buddy Guy, Jack Hale, Conrad Isidore, Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love, Charlie McCoy, Eddie Mordue, Chris Rae, James Shane, Chris Spedding, Henry Strzelecki, Steven Thompson, Benny Turner, Dave Wintour, Reggie Young (RIP: Kenny Buttrey, Barry De Souza, Willie Dixon, Phil Guy, Richard Hite, Freddie King, James Mitchell, A C Reed, Roosevelt Sykes, Henry Vestine)

QUESTIONS:

01. Did Conrad play with Jimi Hendrix?

02. What was Conrad´s involvement with Stephen Stills? Was he a member of Stills´ live band?

03. Was Conrad Isidore a member of Quiver?


RELATED WEBSITE LINKS: 6


From the always interesting Alex's Picks (by Alex Gitlin), we have:

Wikipedia doesn´t want to include links to this website, but I won´t do the same with them. So, from the great Wikipedia, we have:

THANKS:

Very Special Thanks to:
  • Conrad Isidore: for writing me regarding his brother Reg Isidore (2009).
  • Wendy Harrison: for offering help for contacting Conrad (2003).
  • Terry Stamp: for asking about how to contact Conrad.

  • Special Thanks to:
  • Sandy Porter: for info on Conrad involved with Steppin-Out (2006).
  • Jennifer Isidore: for offering her help (2006).

  • Thanks to:
  • Alex Gitlin: as always (2000).

  • WHAT'S NEW:

    19/February/2011 - Page added to the blog.
    31/October/2000 - Original page written by me (in the old site).

    RELATED MUSICIANS:

    Conrad Isidore mostly worked with these musicians: (name + number of credits)
    Calvin ´Fuzzy´ Samuels (6)
    Clive Chaman (5)
    Stephen Stills (5)
    Rebop Kwaku Baah (4)
    John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick (4)
    Jean Roussel (4)
    Dallas Taylor (4)
    Bobby Tench (4)
    David Crosby (3)
    Donnie Dacus (3)

    Page created by Miguel Terol on: 31/October/2000 - Last modified on: 19/February/2011. If you want to contribute with info, please write to: molympus1@gmail.com

    Please, note than you can check the indexes (musicians, bands, obituaries) at the top of this page.

    7 comments:

    1. Love Elkie Brooks vocals

      ReplyDelete
    2. i may be apart of his family. I'm from the Caribbean i knew the family was not small and although i tried i could never get to find out who was family. i could be wrong but it would not hurt to try. ps my name is john isidore

      ReplyDelete
    3. I knew Conrad when I lived in London in 1970 - my name is Diana Trafford, maybe he remember's me, I lived in Ladbroke Grove and we used to meet up for chats, love to hear from Conrad again

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Conrad.c.isidore@gmail.com23 June 2015 at 22:06

        Hey Diane I am currently in Ladbroke Grove I am on face book let's connect

        Delete
    4. Question 1 : Conrad played with Jimi along as a session musician for Stephen Stills' first solo album. The session with Jimi involvement was at Island studios in London, Basing Street in mid March 1970.
      Jimi played only on one track ''Old Times, Good Times''. Some jamming while rehearsals maybe took place. Jimi's solo for Old Times was a very quick job, one take and that's it! On Caesar Glebbeek's Univibes number 55 December 2007 Jimi's day-to-day diary mentioned another drummer also for these sessions named Tony Beard.

      Jukes

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thanks for your contributions, Jukes, very interesting info!

        Delete
    5. Question 2: As long as I know, Isidore was a session musician for Stephen Stills first album, especially the London session in Spring or March of 1970. There is Isidore mentioned on Stills 2 also, but I don't know if the song(s) for 2 were from the London sessions as above?
      Jukes

      ReplyDelete

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