The March 2 edition of Greasy Tracks featured an interview with drummer Roger Earl who discussed the recent release of Foghat’s Sonic Mojo.
Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here.
Earl talked about how the new album — the band’s first in seven years — came about, including a touching insight on Kim Simmonds’ co-writing three tracks that were included. Simmonds — the guitarist/leader of British blues rock band Savoy Brown — hired Earl, then a teen, to be Savoy Brown’s drummer in 1968. Simmonds passed away in 2022 at 75.
The album, the 17th from the band which formed in 1971, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Blues Albums chart. Foghat plays Mohegan Sun Arena on May 21 in Uncasville, Conn.
Earl is the lone founding member who remains in the band. He was part of the Savoy Brown line-up of guitarist Dave Peverett and bassist Tony Stevens during what is considered the band’s greatest period.
Following the release of Savoy Brown’s Lookin’ In, the trio along with guitarist Rod Price formed Foghat. Under the management of Tony Outeda — who started working in the music industry with Brian Epstein — the band gained a fortuitous audition with Albert Grossman who signed them to his fledgling Bearsville Records. They would soon move to the United States.
Among other artists, Grossman managed Bob Dylan, The Band, Janis Joplin and Peter, Paul and Mary. He wired Foghat $10,000 to record their first album which was produced by Dave Edmunds.
The self-titled debut came out in 1972. Boosted by a cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want To Make Love To You” — it remains an FM radio staple — the band hit the charts in the U.S. with a hybrid boogie blues style that remains characteristic of its sound to this day.
Having played on such critically acclaimed Savoy Brown releases as Blue Matter, A Step Further, Raw Sienna and the aforementioned Looking In, Earl, Peverett and Stevens had gained invaluable experience in the studio and on stage playing with Simmonds. The addition of slide-guitarist Price, formerly of the Brit blues band, Black Cat Bones, cemented the basis of the Foghat sound.
Through the 1970s and into the 80s, the band went through personnel changes, but continued making radio-friendly releases, usually mixing originals with tasteful blues or soul covers. Coincidently, Sonic Mojo has a Willie Dixon and Chuck Berry cover, just like their debut. Since their early days, the band was renowned for delivering the goods when it came to live appearances.
The tradition continues with the latest line-up, including bassist Rodney O’Quinn and guitarist Bryan Bassett along with newest member, guitarist/vocalist Scott Holt who spent 10 years working with Buddy Guy.
