CHARLATANS, THE - A HEAD FULL OF IDEAS

The name The Charlatans refers to two separate bands. The first, known as The Charlatans UK in the United States to avoid confusion, is a British alternative rock band formed in 1988 in the West Midlands/Northwich area of England. The original lineup included bassist Martin Blunt, keyboardist Rob Collins, drummer Jon Brookes, guitarist John Baker, and vocalist Baz Ketley. The band became associated with the indie dance movement in the UK, blending elements of pop, electronica, and funk, and achieved international recognition, including in the United States. Tim Burgess replaced Ketley as vocalist before the release of the debut single "Indian Rope" in 1990. The band signed to the Situation Two imprint of Beggars Banquet Records and released the singles "The Only One I Know" and "Then", followed by their debut album "Some Friendly" in 1990, which received critical and commercial acclaim. Guitarist John Baker left the band in 1991 and was replaced by Mark Collins. Their second album, "Between 10th and 11th", produced by Flood, was released in 1992 but received a mixed response, while "Up to Our Hips" later restored the band’s popularity. In 1995, their self-titled fourth album topped the UK albums chart, producing the single "Just When You're Thinking Things Over". During the recording of the fifth album, "Tellin’ Stories" (1997), keyboardist Rob Collins died in a car accident. Martin Duffy temporarily filled in for live performances, and the album included Collins’ and Duffy’s contributions. Subsequent albums included "Us and Us Only" (1999), "Wonderland" (2001), "Up at the Lake" (2004), "Simpatico" (2006), "You Cross My Path" (2008), and "Who We Touch" (2010), reflecting evolving styles while maintaining elements such as organ-driven arrangements. The band has also released compilations and live recordings throughout their career. The second The Charlatans was a psychedelic rock band active in the United States from 1964 to 1969, influential in the development of the San Francisco music scene and the style known as the San Francisco Sound. The group incorporated jug band, country, and blues influences and was known for performing in late 19th-century clothing, which influenced the emerging hippie counterculture. Early members included George Hunter, Richard Olsen, Mike Wilhelm, Mike Ferguson, and Sam Linde, with Dan Hicks later replacing Linde on drums. In 1965, the band held an extended residency at the Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada, which became notable for one of the first psychedelic rock posters, called "The Seed". They experimented with LSD, leading to their association with early acid rock, although their music did not fully align with later feedback-heavy acid rock styles. The band signed briefly with Autumn Records but was not recorded due to financial and material conflicts, later signing with Kama Sutra Records. They released singles including "The Shadow Knows" and "32-20" in 1966. Line-up changes continued, including the departures of Ferguson and Hicks, before the band released a self-titled album in 1969 with Philips Records, which was commercially unsuccessful. The band disbanded later in 1969, with members pursuing various musical and artistic projects. Despite a limited recording output, the Charlatans are recognized for their role in the formation of the San Francisco music scene, their influence on the Summer of Love, and their legacy in inspiring subsequent Bay Area bands. Surviving members participated in reunion performances, including a 2005 memorial concert for Chet Helms and a 2007 free concert in Golden Gate Park marking the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.