Originating in Maidstone, Kent, the English pop quartet Chicory Tip assembled in 1968 under the direction of lead singer Peter Hewson, born 1 September 1950 in Gillingham. Bassist Barry Mayger (born 1 June 1950 in Maidstone), drummer Brian Shearer (born 4 May 1951 in Lewisham, London), and guitarist Dick Foster completed the original roster. Foster departed in October 1972, yielding his spot to Rod Cloutt (born 26 January 1949 in Gillingham), who contributed lead guitar, synthesizer, and organ.
The group’s signature release, the irresistibly catchy “Son Of My Father,” ascended to number one on the UK singles chart and remained there for three weeks in early 1972. Marketed in the United States simply as Chicory, the same track reached a modest number 91. Giorgio Moroder, soon to emerge as a leading disco producer, composed the song; Chris Thomas performed its prominent synthesizer parts; and Roger Easterby, manager of the established act Vanity Fare, handled production.
Though the band projected a restrained image, it aligned briefly with the glam-rock movement to score two additional UK Top 20 entries: “What’s Your Name?” in 1972 and “Good Grief Christina” in 1973.
