Blond

Emerging from the Swedish ensemble Tages, widely regarded as that country's top rock act of the 1960s, Blond took form after vocalist Tommy Blom exited in the late '60s and the remaining members adopted the new name. Bassist and songwriter Goran Lagerberg, who had occasionally handled lead vocals during his time in Tages, served as the principal creative force. Their 1969 album The Lilac Years was tracked in London before appearing in both Europe and the United States, where the release carried only the shortened title Blond. Sharing traits with Tages' later output yet tilting more toward Anglo-pop leanings, the record came across as a competent if undistinguished set that recalled the Hollies, the Beatles, the Easybeats, and comparable acts. Moody passages hinting at early art-rock textures surfaced at intervals, especially across the extended title track, although the dominant atmosphere stayed bright and upbeat in the pop-rock vein. The group could readily have been mistaken for British or American musicians, yet they never established a meaningful foothold in English-speaking territories. After the sessions but ahead of the album's release, lead guitarist Anders Topel and rhythm guitarist Danne Larsson stepped in to replace two former Tages members. Blond called it quits in 1970.