Biography
Formed in South London during 1962, the Spectres spent their early years performing at local venues and supporting touring American vocalists, establishing themselves among the more persistent outfits on the London circuit through five years of steady club work. The lineup of Francis Rossi on guitar and vocals, Alan Lancaster handling guitar, bass, and vocals, Rod Lynes on keyboards, and John Coughlan on drums later expanded when Rick Parfitt, previously of the Highlifes, came aboard on bass and keyboards. This configuration remained intact until the group secured a contract with Pye Records’ Piccadilly label in 1966.
Their first release that year was a cover of Shirley Bassey’s hit “I (Who Have Nothing),” a song Donovan would later revive successfully, while the follow-up single presented their reading of the Blues Magoos track “(We Ain’t Got) Nothing Yet,” alongside a version of “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” Issued in early 1967, the record already displayed the crunchy guitar, swirling organ arabesques, and driving rhythm section that would later define Status Quo after the band’s brief stint as Traffic Jam. The three Spectres singles, together with their B-sides, have surfaced on multiple CD reissues and Status Quo anthologies; “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” appears on Sequel Records’ Freakbeat Freakout and additional collections, and “I (Who Have Nothing)” is included in the Sequel Songs of Leiber & Stoller set. ~ Bruce Eder
Their first release that year was a cover of Shirley Bassey’s hit “I (Who Have Nothing),” a song Donovan would later revive successfully, while the follow-up single presented their reading of the Blues Magoos track “(We Ain’t Got) Nothing Yet,” alongside a version of “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” Issued in early 1967, the record already displayed the crunchy guitar, swirling organ arabesques, and driving rhythm section that would later define Status Quo after the band’s brief stint as Traffic Jam. The three Spectres singles, together with their B-sides, have surfaced on multiple CD reissues and Status Quo anthologies; “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” appears on Sequel Records’ Freakbeat Freakout and additional collections, and “I (Who Have Nothing)” is included in the Sequel Songs of Leiber & Stoller set. ~ Bruce Eder
Singles
