Henry Cow | |
|---|---|
 Henry Cow, 1975 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Cambridge, England |
| Genres | |
| Discography | Henry Cow discography |
| Years active | 1968–1978 |
| Labels | |
| Spinoffs | |
| Past members |
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Henry Cow were an English experimental rock group, founded at the University of Cambridge in 1968 by multi-instrumentalists Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson. Henry Cow's personnel fluctuated over their decade together, but drummer Chris Cutler, bassist John Greaves, and bassoonist/oboist Lindsay Cooper were important long-term members alongside Frith and Hodgkinson.
An inherent anti-commercial attitude kept them at arm's length from the mainstream music business, enabling them to experiment at will. Critic Myles Boisen writes, "[their sound] was so mercurial and daring that they had few imitators, even though they inspired many on both sides of the Atlantic with a blend of spontaneity, intricate structures, philosophy, and humor that has endured and transcended the 'progressive' tag."[4]
While it was generally thought that Henry Cow took their name from 20th-century American composer Henry Cowell,[7][8] this has been repeatedly denied by band members.[9][10] According to Hodgkinson, the name "Henry Cow" was "in the air" in 1968, and it seemed like a good name for the band. It had no connection to anything.[11][12] In a 1974 interview, Cutler said the name was chosen because "[i]t's silly. What could be sillier than Henry Cow?"[13]
- ^ Jazz Forum (51–56 ed.). For Jazz, sp. z o. o. 1978. p. 7.
- ^ Marsh, Peter. "Henry Cow/Slapp Happy Desperate Straights Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Robbins, Ira (1987). The New Music Record Guide. Omnibus Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-7119-1115-4.
- ^ a b Boisen, Myles. "Henry Cow | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
- ^ Smith, Sid (17 April 2015). "The Canterbury Scene: The Sound Of The Underground". Prog. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ^ The Beat. Vol. 14. Bongo Productions. 1995. p. 20.
- ^ Kenny, Glenn. "Henry Cow". Trouser Press. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ Marsh, Dave; Swenson, John, eds. (1983). The New Rolling Stone Record Guide (2nd ed.). Random House/Rolling Stone Press. p. 225. ISBN 0-394-72107-1.
- ^ "Henry Cow". The Canterbury Music Website. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
- ^ Cutler 2009a, p. 21.
- ^ Brook, Chris (2003). "Henry Cow". In Buckley, Peter (ed.). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. p. 490. ISBN 1-84353-105-4.
- ^ Cutler 2006, p. 6.
- ^ Murray, Charles Shaar (31 August 1974). "Henry Cow: Gerroff An' Milk It". New Musical Express. Retrieved 13 June 2018 – via Rock's Backpages.