2016; not a very good one so far for music fans. Thanks for the heads up, John. Andy was the last surviving member of the Newmans ("Hello, Newman..."). At least he lived a lot longer than Jimmy McCulloch, (O.D.'d in his mid-twenties), or writer/vocalist Speedy Keen, who made it as far as his mid-fifties. No one here gets out alive..... --signedRW
Andy 'Thunderclap' Newman dead aged 73:
Musician's bandmates, friends and fans pay tribute as he passes away
18:07, 31 MAR 2016 UPDATED 19:14, 31 MAR 2016
BY KERRI-ANN ROPER
Something In The Air..so fine then and NOW. The definitive 60's anthem that led us throughout the Vietnam protests and beyond....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8zmkzshUvE
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The pianist for British band Thunderclap Newman died at his home in London
Musician Andy "Thunderclap" Newman has died aged 73, his band mate has confirmed. The pianist for British band Thunderclap Newman, founded by The Who's Pete Townshend, died at his home in London. His band mate and close friend Mark Brzezicki confirmed the news to the Press Association. Brzezicki, the drummer for Big Country and Thunderclap Newman, described him as an "unsung musical genius" who will be greatly missed. Writing on Facebook, he said it was "an honour both knowing and working with you Andy".
The Who also reported the news on their official Facebook page, writing: "It is with great sadness that we report the death of Andy 'Thunderclap' Newman, who passed away yesterday age 73. Rest in peace."
The band had their biggest hit in 1969 with the track Something In The Air, from the album Hollywood Dream which was produced by Who guitarist and song writer Townshend. The song spent three weeks at the top of the UK singles chart, fending off the likes of The Beatles and Elvis Presley. According to Brzezicki, seeing Newman play the piano at art college was what inspired Townshend and producer Kit Lambert to form the band in 1968.
"He was an incredibly talented musician. He had his own unique, very individual piano-playing style", Brzezicki told the Press Association. "He was also incredibly intellectual, he knew a lot about everything. He was very wise and intellectual, but also a very quiet and private man."
He and Newman were due to go back into the studio in April to work on more music. The original line-up of the band included Newman, John "Speedy" Keen and Jimmy McCulloch. The band broke up in 1971 but was then re-formed by Newman some years later.
Something In The Air
Call out the instigators
Because there's something in the air
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here, and you know it's right
And you know that it's right
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together now
Lock up the streets and houses
Because there's something in the air
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here, and you know it's right
And you know that it's right
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together now
Hand out the arms and ammo
We're going to blast our way through here
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here, and you know it's right
And you know that it's right
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together
[img]http://s22.postimg.org/hh0k7efap
