Decameron

Formed in 1968, the UK folk rock outfit began as a duo consisting of Dave Bell on guitar, percussion and vocals alongside Johnny Coppin, born 5 April 1946 in South Woodford, Essex, England and handling guitar, piano and vocals. Expansion followed in September 1969 when Al Fenn, born Alastair Fenn on 9 March 1947 in Chingford, Essex, England, joined on guitar, mandolin and vocals, with Geoff March adding cello, violin and vocals the following December. Dik Cadbury, born Richard Cadbury on 12 June 1950 in Selly Oak, Birmingham, England, came aboard in July 1973 on bass, violin and vocals, while Bob Critchley completed the roster in September 1975 on drums and vocals. Between 1971 and 1974 the group operated under the Fingimigig agency, then overseen by comedian Jasper Carrott and John Starkey. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire served as the band’s base, where they specialised in contemporary folk rock, the bulk of it written by Bell and Coppin. Three singles appeared on successive labels: “Stoats Grope” in 1973 via Vertigo Records, “Breakdown Of The Song” in 1974 on Mooncrest, and “Dancing” in 1976 for Transatlantic. Operating as the Magnificent Mercury Brothers, they also issued two Transatlantic singles in a 1960s doo-wop style—“New Girl In School” in 1975 and a cover of the classic “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” in 1976—yet neither enjoyed notable commercial impact. The band subsequently disbanded, allowing Coppin to launch a solo career that earned widespread praise, though he rejoined his former Decameron colleagues for live performances during the late 1990s and early 2000s.