Hard Stuff

The year 1972 marked the formation of Hard Stuff in London, England, with John Cann handling guitar and vocals, Paul Hammond on drums—both previously members of Atomic Rooster—and John Gustafson on bass as a former Quatermass musician. A recording agreement was reached with Purple Records, the label belonging to Deep Purple, resulting in two albums delivered in a heavy power-trio format. During 1973 the band served as support for Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band across a UK tour, an incompatible pairing that damaged the emerging standing of the British group. Hard Stuff disbanded in 1973, after which Gustafson established himself as a highly sought session musician. Cann achieved a novelty success years later with the 1979 single ‘Don’t Be A Dummy’ issued under the name John Du Cann.