Forums > Queen - Serious Discussion > 1970 - Pre John Deacon & Barry Mitchell Story

---

Barry Mitchell 1965 - 1968

Conviction
Summer 1965 7” Acetate
Rock Me Baby/ Telephone Blues
Barry Mitchell first acetate recorded 1965, Barry’s front room (includes Alan Parsons). Usual line up - Vocals: Ian Harris, Guitar/ vocals: Alan Parsons, Guitar: Alan Owen, Bass: Barry Mitchell, Drums: Phil Brockton. Only 5 copies cut.

Began life as a soul band around 1965 – 66, as the brainchild of lead vocalist Ian Harris, playing mainly Ottis Reading and Commitment type covers. Converted to Blues circa 1967, when they played such illustrious places as Ronnie Scott’s Blues Club – where they were compared to the likes of Cream and Fleetwood Mac.

By 1968 totally psychedelic, converted to hippies, and started writing own material. Spotted by American A&R man Doug Mews of Mercury Records – who was specifically searching for a “London” sound.

1969
Earth
January 10 Conviction recorded an album’s worth of material at De Lane Lea Studios for release on the American market. Mercury wanted to change the band’s name to London, the band preferred Earth, and wanted the album to be called Metamorphous or some other psychedelic title. Recorded in the same studio as the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band’s Doughnut in Granny’s Greenhouse album, the eponymous LP Earth, although never issued, was cut as a 12” acetate (of which only a solitary copy seems to exist). This record is not only valuable because it features a very young Alan Parson’s but also highlights future Queen bassist Barry Mitchell.

Recorded January 10 1969, Mercury Records, De Lane Lea, London. Produced by Douglas Mews.
Blues Tattoo (Mitchell). Don’t See You Much (Mitchell wrote bass). Song To
Katherine (Ray Quilly – only drafted in for the day).
Vocals: Ian Harris, Alan Parsons: Lead guitar/ acoustic guitar, flute, Organ/ mouth organ: Ray Quilly, Bass guitar: Barry Mitchell, Drums: Phil Brockton.
Miseducation, Sea Of Faces, Earthworm, Rain On The Roof, Something Above Us, Blues Tattoo, Don’t See You Much, In The Land Of The Blind, Angel Of Death, Song To Katherine.

1970
After the departure of original Queen bassist Mike Grose, Barry’s friend Roger Crossley, who had met Roger Taylor, set up an audition at Imperial College. After passing the audition, Barry was invited to join, and like Brian and Roger, brought a degree of hardened studio professionalism to the struggling out-fit, and also, coincidently cut unreleased material for Mercury Records, specifically aimed at the US market.

This new Queen practiced a variety of material. Covers of Jimmi Hendrix’s Electric Lady and Voodoo Chile proved to be particular favourites, as did, Shirley Bassey’s Big Spender and Cliff Richard’s Bachelor Boy. Live sets included the old Wreckage number Stone Cold Crazy, and the perennial Elvis Presley and Little Richard encores.

A particular highlight for the band (and Brian in particular) was the appearance of the Tornados guitarist Heinz (Just Like Eddie), at their first Imperial College gig. Brian May amassed a large private collection of band photographs during this period, but unfortunately none seem to survive.

1971
January 9 Ewell Technical College, Surrey
Barry Mitchell's final gig, supporting Kevin Ayres And The Whole World Band and Genesis. The set was recorded by Ken Testi on a Grundig reel to reel - due to technical difficulties (mangled/chewed tape), only the encore remains.
Jailhouse rock, Stupid Cupid, Bebopa Lula, Big Spender, Bamalama Lamaloo

January 10 Barry Mitchell left the band for personal reasons, the departure was amicable and on good terms. In fact Barry was persuaded by the rest of the band to stay on, but his mind would not be changed.

Primarily, he left because he wanted to marry and settle. Also, he could not afford his rock and roll lifestyle. If that sounds a little romantic, he also confesses to being impatient and in his own words; "Queen were an excellent band, but we were going nowhere fast". In essence, he wanted big

---

Very interesting stuff here. Too bad most people don't care.

---

Thanks again John - Very interesting.

---

Damn, that's some down to Earth info. Thanks John.

---

What about the Queen version of 'Polar Bear' then?

Same category as "Silver Salmon". Post De Lane Lane acetate.

---

Silver salmon is always said to be recorded before Queen I was released ok BUT...what about that little recording you can listen right before on the same recording?
I think it was called silver salmon too? even though its completely different?

My copy of the recording has got that little jam song first and once its finished, you listen to the comments made by Freddie right before the start of the usual silver salmon.

---

ok, thanks.
It's just those silver salmon (different from each other takes) doesnt sound so earlier but well, we all know Deacon is there right?

---

"well actually there is an mp3 on the net (mercuryparadise.com)....."

If I post somewhere that Freddie is alive that doesn't mean it's true either.

---

JSS - Polar Bear was recorded by Smile, Freddie & Tim were becoming good friends around this time and Fred was hanging out with Smile quite a bit. Therefore is it not feasable that there is no Queen version of Polar bear but a Smile version with Freddie guesting on it?

---

Leave me out of this, I had neither Barry nor John in me.