Ex Foghat bassist speaks out on decision to leave band
Original Foghat bassist Tony Stevens is speaking out about his departure from the band he co-founded. Stevens said, "When (singer-guitarist "Lonesome") Dave (Peverett), (drummer) Roger (Earl), and I decided to leave Savoy Brown in 1970, it was because (frontman) Kim (Simmonds) had been starting to head in a different musical direction than the blues sound the band had become known for. So we started Foghat as a true roots blues band, which is what the rest of us always wanted to be."
Stevens left the group in the mid-70's because he felt Foghat was drifting like Savoy Brown had, and he stayed away until the original lineup reunited in 1993. Stevens was with the band until 2004, but he said, "When Dave and then (guitarist) Rod (Price) died, things started to change once more. There were questions about everything from the leadership to musicianship, and it started to feel different, not just for me, I'm sure, but for the fans as well."
Peverett lost a battle to cancer in February 2000 at age 56, and Price died in March 2005 at age 57, after falling down the stairs at his home and suffering a fatal head trauma. Price had left the group in 1999.
After Stevens left in late 2004, he put his own version of Foghat together, but a judge ordered him to stop. He now tours using the name Slow Ride, after Foghat's biggest hit, and they're making an album, featuring updated versions of some Foghat songs, that should be ready in May. Their next show is February 17th in Columbus, Ohio.
Stevens said, "I have always managed to work since I first got into this business over 40 years ago. I'm thrilled to just get on with the music and my career. So that's what I'm doing from this point forward."
These days, Foghat consists of Earl, guitarist Bryan Bassett, singer-guitarist Charlie Huhn, and latter-day Foghat bassist Craig MacGregor, who re-joined after Stevens left. Their next show is Tuesday (January 23rd) in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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Stevens left the group in the mid-70's because he felt Foghat was drifting like Savoy Brown had, and he stayed away until the original lineup reunited in 1993. Stevens was with the band until 2004, but he said, "When Dave and then (guitarist) Rod (Price) died, things started to change once more. There were questions about everything from the leadership to musicianship, and it started to feel different, not just for me, I'm sure, but for the fans as well."
Peverett lost a battle to cancer in February 2000 at age 56, and Price died in March 2005 at age 57, after falling down the stairs at his home and suffering a fatal head trauma. Price had left the group in 1999.
After Stevens left in late 2004, he put his own version of Foghat together, but a judge ordered him to stop. He now tours using the name Slow Ride, after Foghat's biggest hit, and they're making an album, featuring updated versions of some Foghat songs, that should be ready in May. Their next show is February 17th in Columbus, Ohio.
Stevens said, "I have always managed to work since I first got into this business over 40 years ago. I'm thrilled to just get on with the music and my career. So that's what I'm doing from this point forward."
These days, Foghat consists of Earl, guitarist Bryan Bassett, singer-guitarist Charlie Huhn, and latter-day Foghat bassist Craig MacGregor, who re-joined after Stevens left. Their next show is Tuesday (January 23rd) in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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