Refugee

Sympathy is due the bassist and vocalist Lee Jackson together with drummer Brian "Blinky" Davison. Three years of relentless effort in the engine room of the Nice had finally begun to yield returns by the close of 1969. Having started as P.P. Arnold's backing band and navigated the first wave of psychedelia, the pair helped establish the groundwork for the style later known as progressive rock, appearing at high-profile engagements backed by full symphony orchestras. Yet both musicians understood that the swelling crowds came chiefly to witness Keith Emerson's confrontations with his Hammond organ rather than their own capable contributions on bass and drums. Emerson's departure to form ELP, driven in part by dissatisfaction with Jackson's distinctive croak of a voice, therefore left them expecting a necessary retreat in scale. Jackson, weary of progressive rock, promptly assembled the more folk-oriented Jackson Heights and cut five largely acoustic albums with the group. Davison, meanwhile, pursued a jazz-rock path in the short-lived Every Which Way. The discovery in 1973 of Swiss-born Patrick Moraz, already a member of Mainhorse, instantly suggested to both players the chance to revive the spirit of the Nice. They formed Refugee, whose debut album appeared on Charisma to widespread critical acclaim. A period of intensive touring ensued, raising hopes of worldwide recognition. Those hopes collapsed, however, when news arrived that Rick Wakeman had exited Yes and an urgent search for his replacement had begun. Moraz secured the position, once again depriving Jackson and Davison of their frontman, and this time no resurgence followed.