A Foot in Coldwater, often abbreviated AFIC among devotees, operated under several earlier monikers and endured multiple aborted beginnings prior to establishing the identity by which listeners would recognize them. The 1970s progressive rock ensemble featured lead vocalist Alex Machin, multi-instrumentalist Paul Naumann handling guitar, bass, and vocals, percussionist Danny Taylor, Hughie Leggat on vocals, bass, and acoustic guitar, plus keyboardist Bob Horne.
The group coalesced in 1971 when musicians from Island and Nucleus combined forces, issuing a self-titled debut album the following year. One track from that record, the single “(Make Me Do) Anything You Want,” secured placement on Canadian charts. Daffodil Records put out their follow-up effort, A Second Foot in Coldwater, in 1973, yet commercial returns proved disappointing. The band persisted nonetheless, delivering All Around Us as their third album, whose singles achieved chart entries including one that reached the Top Ten.
Subsequent difficulties mounted once that release appeared: the label collapsed and internal conflicts prompted Bob Horne’s departure in 1976. Additional tracks were cut, yet activity had essentially ceased by 1977. Partial reunions of founding members occurred in 1988 for limited touring, coinciding with reissues of the earlier catalog. In 1998 a two-CD collection titled The Very Best of a Foot in Coldwater assembled many signature numbers, among them “Breaking Through,” “Midnight Lady,” “How Much Love Can You Take,” “In Heat,” “Deep Freeze,” and “Love Is Coming.”
