Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers (formed in 1971, in London, England) were one of the main British Pub Rock groups of the early '70s playing a laid-back mixture of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country, and folk. Managed by Jake Riviera (formerly Andrew Jakeman), they reached their peak as part of the infamous "Naughty Rhythms Tour" of 1975, along with other stalwarts of the same scene, Dr. Feelgood and Kokomo, each band alternately headlining on different dates. The band has its origins i...
Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers (formed in 1971, in London, England) were one of the main British Pub Rock groups of the early '70s playing a laid-back mixture of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country, and folk. Managed by Jake Riviera (formerly Andrew Jakeman), they reached their peak as part of the infamous "Naughty Rhythms Tour" of 1975, along with other stalwarts of the same scene, Dr. Feelgood and Kokomo, each band alternately headlining on different dates.
The band has its origins in a folk rock duo formed by ex-Junior's Blues Band members Martin Stone and Philip C. Lithman (A.K.A. Snakefinger). Lithman moved to San Francisco in the late '60s, leaving Stone to play with Savoy Brown and Mighty Baby. The duo reunited in the early '70s, recording "Kings of the Robot Rhythm" with vocalist Jo Ann Kelly and various members of Brinsley Schwarz. The album was released in 1972; the same year, the duo expanded, adding Paul "Dice Man" Bailey, Paul Riley, and Pete Thomas to the line-up.
During the next two years, Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers became a popular live act in Britain, and recorded two John Peel Sessions for BBC radio, on April 9th 1973 and July 25th 1974. In 1974, they released their final album, "Bongos Over Balham", which sold poorly; the band split in 1975.
After the band's breakup, Pete Thomas became the drummer for Elvis Costello's backing band, The Attractions, Paul Riley played with Graham Parker, Paul Bailey formed Bontemps Roulez, and Martin Stone played with the Pink Fairies before quitting the music business. Phil Lithman moved back to San Francisco where he began to work with his former associates, The Residents, under the name Snakefinger. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
