Biography
Python Lee Jackson's story contains multiple layers of confusion. Principally remembered for a major hit that spotlighted a future superstar's lead vocals, the singer in question never belonged to the group. Far from being a solo act, Python Lee Jackson functioned as a band containing no member named Python Lee Jackson. Although the ensemble was situated in the U.K. at the time it cut "In a Broken Dream" with Rod Stewart serving as a session vocalist, the outfit originated as an Australian unit.
Throughout its brief run the group experienced repeated membership shifts, yet singer and keyboardist David Bentley remained a constant presence. Bentley had decided to assemble an R&B-flavored rock band in Sydney after absorbing the Rolling Stones' "Not Fade Away." By the point Python Lee Jackson taped its first single, "Emergency Ward," the lineup had already turned over several times; the track appeared on Parlophone in 1966 with the band supporting DJ and singer Ward Austin. The group then produced several creditable standalone singles for CBS between 1966 and 1967, drawing heavily on the R&B-keyboard sound of British Invasion acts such as Georgie Fame and Manfred Mann. Further personnel adjustments occurred, including a temporary departure by founder Bentley, who later rejoined.
National chart success in Australia stayed modest, and the band dissolved in early 1968. Later that year guitarist Mick Liber, one of the many musicians who had passed through the group's ranks, assembled a new lineup to work as a "ship band" and thereby finance passage to England. He recruited Bentley and drummer David Montgomery, both prior Python Lee Jackson members, though Bentley ultimately flew rather than sailing with the others. Upon arrival in the U.K. the personnel shifted once more, leaving Liber, Bentley, and Montgomery—now joined by bassist John Helman—to begin performing in London. They soon secured a CBS contract, after which Bentley composed the anguished soul-rock ballad "In a Broken Dream."
At this juncture the narrative took its strangest turn: Bentley concluded he was unsuited to sing the song. Rod Stewart, already featured on lead vocals with the Jeff Beck Group yet still awaiting fame with the Faces and as a solo artist, was brought in to handle the vocal on this track and two others. Despite the song's clear quality, "In a Broken Dream" remained unreleased for some time. Meanwhile Stewart advanced his own career while Python Lee Jackson's roster continued to evolve, adding ex-Easybeats drummer Tony Cahill. When the single finally appeared in October 1970 it failed to chart.
The band persisted with further recording until "In a Broken Dream" entered the U.S. Top 100 in 1972. Although its peak position of number 56 proved modest, the record surged in the U.K. late that year, climbing to number three. Stewart's emergence as a superstar by then, and the instant recognition of his voice, almost certainly aided its British success. A full album containing all three Stewart vocal tracks was released in 1972, yet the remaining material—solid but typical early-1970s British R&B-inflected rock—suffered by comparison without his contributions.
Python Lee Jackson attempted additional sessions in 1973 toward an album built around Bentley, but the project stayed unfinished and the group eventually ceased activity. Nearly all of the band's output excluding the Stewart tracks surfaced on the 2009 CD compilation Sweet Consolation, which also included ten previously unreleased cuts. The three numbers featuring Stewart, above all "In a Broken Dream," have appeared repeatedly and remain readily available.
Throughout its brief run the group experienced repeated membership shifts, yet singer and keyboardist David Bentley remained a constant presence. Bentley had decided to assemble an R&B-flavored rock band in Sydney after absorbing the Rolling Stones' "Not Fade Away." By the point Python Lee Jackson taped its first single, "Emergency Ward," the lineup had already turned over several times; the track appeared on Parlophone in 1966 with the band supporting DJ and singer Ward Austin. The group then produced several creditable standalone singles for CBS between 1966 and 1967, drawing heavily on the R&B-keyboard sound of British Invasion acts such as Georgie Fame and Manfred Mann. Further personnel adjustments occurred, including a temporary departure by founder Bentley, who later rejoined.
National chart success in Australia stayed modest, and the band dissolved in early 1968. Later that year guitarist Mick Liber, one of the many musicians who had passed through the group's ranks, assembled a new lineup to work as a "ship band" and thereby finance passage to England. He recruited Bentley and drummer David Montgomery, both prior Python Lee Jackson members, though Bentley ultimately flew rather than sailing with the others. Upon arrival in the U.K. the personnel shifted once more, leaving Liber, Bentley, and Montgomery—now joined by bassist John Helman—to begin performing in London. They soon secured a CBS contract, after which Bentley composed the anguished soul-rock ballad "In a Broken Dream."
At this juncture the narrative took its strangest turn: Bentley concluded he was unsuited to sing the song. Rod Stewart, already featured on lead vocals with the Jeff Beck Group yet still awaiting fame with the Faces and as a solo artist, was brought in to handle the vocal on this track and two others. Despite the song's clear quality, "In a Broken Dream" remained unreleased for some time. Meanwhile Stewart advanced his own career while Python Lee Jackson's roster continued to evolve, adding ex-Easybeats drummer Tony Cahill. When the single finally appeared in October 1970 it failed to chart.
The band persisted with further recording until "In a Broken Dream" entered the U.S. Top 100 in 1972. Although its peak position of number 56 proved modest, the record surged in the U.K. late that year, climbing to number three. Stewart's emergence as a superstar by then, and the instant recognition of his voice, almost certainly aided its British success. A full album containing all three Stewart vocal tracks was released in 1972, yet the remaining material—solid but typical early-1970s British R&B-inflected rock—suffered by comparison without his contributions.
Python Lee Jackson attempted additional sessions in 1973 toward an album built around Bentley, but the project stayed unfinished and the group eventually ceased activity. Nearly all of the band's output excluding the Stewart tracks surfaced on the 2009 CD compilation Sweet Consolation, which also included ten previously unreleased cuts. The three numbers featuring Stewart, above all "In a Broken Dream," have appeared repeatedly and remain readily available.
Albums