The End

The End fell short of the acclaim they might have earned, yet their legacy rests on a body of Bill Wyman-produced psychedelic pop that fused dreamily swirling instrumentals with ornate yet pointedly unsentimental songcraft. Their album Introspection now ranks among the strongest British entries in the style. Dave Brown and Colin Giffin launched the group in 1965 after the breakup of beat outfit the Innocents. Nicky Graham and John Horton arrived from Dickie Pride’s backing band the Original Topics, while former Tuxedos drummer Roger Groom completed the lineup. After cutting tracks at the historic R.G. Jones studio in Morden, their acquaintance Bill Wyman secured a support slot on the Rolling Stones’ tour. The band also joined Spencer Davis for a performance of “Hallelujah I Love Her So” on ITV’s Thank Your Lucky Stars. Their sound at that stage aligned with the club-soul and blue-eyed soul wave then dominating British venues.

Roger Groom soon departed and was succeeded by Nicky Graham’s former schoolmate Hugh Atwooll. John Horton likewise exited, though he remained on good terms and contributed to the follow-up single “Shades of Orange.” Produced by Bill Wyman with Charlie Watts adding tabla, the track was captured during the Rolling Stones’ sessions for Their Satanic Majesties Request. “Shades of Orange” has since come to define British psychedelia and remains one of its most collectible artifacts.

After the single appeared, Gordon Smith exited and former Mode guitarist Terry Taylor took his place. The group relocated to Spain, where several domestic singles emerged, among them the April 1967 Top Five hit “Why.” By Christmas 1968 both Colin Giffin and Hugh Attwooll had stepped away following the recording of Introspection; drummer Paul Francis was brought in, yet momentum had already faded. The arrival of another Mode alumnus, Jim Henderson, prompted the remaining members to adopt a more progressive direction under the name Tucky Buzzard. Delayed more than a year by the Rolling Stones’ dispute with Allen Klein, Introspection finally surfaced in December 1969, by which time its brand of psychedelia had fallen out of favor. With the band now operating under a new name and aesthetic, the album vanished from view upon release.