The Pretty Things

Revolutionary music from Yes, John McLaughlin, Pretty Things, Tangerine Dream, Strawbs and more, including a song that was prog even before prog was prog

Late Pretty Things singer Phil May was mates with Hendrix and Page, a rival of the Stones and an accidental drinking buddy of Judy Garland

Burdened with debt, ignored by their label and used as a sweetener in a hush-hush deal, the band delivered one of the most progressive records of all time to no avail – but always believed it was an artistic success

They went to school with Mick Jagger, Pink Floyd and David Bowie loved them, and Led Zeppelin signed them to their label. But The Pretty Things remain the greatest rock band the wider world doesn’t know about

Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, The Pretty Things, Maggie Bell – Swan Song Records was one of the great maverick labels of the 1970s

Had it not been for guitarist Dick Taylor, the Rolling Stones and The Pretty Things might never have happened, and the British R&B scene of 60s would have been much greyer – and quieter