Ricky Brown



Born: 22nd May 1945, Chopwell, County Durham, UK.

UK Blues and Rhythm & Blues bassist, who's surname often appears as the alias 'Fenson' - created from guitar names 'FENder' & 'GibSON'.

After being demobbed February 6th, 1960, the drummer Carlo Little was looking up old friends in the Cannibal Pot coffee bar in Sudbury's Harrow Road, where Little was introduced to David Sutch. The two got on well and decided to form a rhythm & blues group. They met 16 year-old guitarist Bernie Watson, who introduced them to 15 year-old bass guitarist Ricky Brown (aka Fenson/Fensen) who, in turn, introduced them to 16 year-old keyboard-player Nicky Hopkins. The group met up for a first practice in the rear hall of the Sudbury Swan pub, where it was decided that the excentric and long-haired Sutch would become their singer. Three months later the new group had perfected enough songs for an act. Thus, Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages was born.

In January 1963, the band was augmented by singer Long John Baldry and a trio of backing vocalists, The Velvettes. During this period Brown was also guesting as a bassist with John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. In June 1963, Brown left Cyril Davies to join Lord Sutch again.

In November 1964, Brown joined Brian Auger & The Trinity. After 2 single releases they were joined by Long John Baldry on vocals. In April 1965, the group evolved into a new band, The Steampacket. Recordings made in December 1965 were not released but, after Rod Stewart's subsequent mainstream success, the recordings were released in 1973. The Steampacket disbanded in April 1966.

Brown joined Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames for a short time, replacing Colin Green (and working with a future Hendrix drummer). However, most of The Steampacket remained to become the nucleus of a new band, Brian Auger - Julie Driscoll & The Trinity, which Brown re-joined. In March 1967 Brown left to join Georgie Fame again.

In the latter part of Brown's career he appeared with Carlo Little again in Carlo Little All Stars, working alongside Ronnie Wood's elder brother Arthur 'Art' Wood

APPEARANCES +


Long John Baldry, Hoochie Coochie Men, Brian Auger & The Trinity, Bluesology, The Steampacket
Broadcasts 1964-68
2023, CD, Rhythm & Blues Records
Brian Auger With The Trinity*, Julie Driscoll, Oblivion Express*
Auger Rhythms: Brian Auger's Musical History
2008, 2x CD Digipak, ,
Blues Rock
Various
Hammond Heroes - 60s R&B Organ Grooves
2005, CD, Album, Comp, Bear Family Records, ,
Blues Rock/Theme/Rock & Roll/Jazz-Rock/Soul-Jazz/Rhythm & Blues
John Baldry*
Boogie Woogie : The Warner Bros Recordings
2005, ,
Blues Rock/Electric Blues/Piano Blues/Modern Electric Blues/Pop Rock
Rod Stewart & The Steampacket
Ain't That Lovin' You Baby
2004, CD, Album, Comp, Prism Leisure
Brian Auger
The Mod Years (1965-1969: Complete Singles, B-Sides And Rare Tracks)
1999, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Psychedelic Rock/Mod
Sonny Boy Williamson (2) + Jimmy Page, Brian Auger & The Trinity
Rock Generation Volume 9 - Sonny Boy Williamson + Jimmy Page / The Brian Auger Trinity
1997
Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page
Blue Eyed Blues
1992
Julie Driscoll & Brian Auger
London 1964-1967
1979, Vinyl, ,
Soul-Jazz/Rhythm & Blues/Vocal/Psychedelic Rock
Brian Auger
Attention! Brian Auger!
1972, LP, Comp, Fontana, ,
Pop Rock/Psychedelic Rock
Brian Auger
Faces And Places Vol. 10
1972
Julie Driscoll And Sonny Boy Williamson
Rock Generation Volume 10 - Julie Driscoll's First Recordings And Sonny Boy Williamson's Last
1972, Vinyl, ,
Blues Rock
John Baldry*
It Ain't Easy
1971, Vinyl Santa Maria Press, ,
Blues Rock/Folk Rock
Sonny Boy Williamson (2) With Brian Auger & The Trinity / Joe Harriott / Alan Skidmore / Jimmy Page
Don't Send Me No Flowers
1968
Sonny Boy Williamson
Sonny Boy Williamson & The English Pop Giants
2xLP, Comp, BYG Records
Various
English Freakbeat Vol:3 (16 British Beat-Pop Pounders ££)
1997, CD, ,
Garage Rock/Rock & Roll/Beat