1966–1968 Band of Joy was originally formed in 1966 in
West Bromwich, a town near Birmingham, England, by Chris Brown (keyboards), Vernon Pereira (guitar), and singer
Robert Plant. A third incarnation of the band, including Plant's friend
John Bonham lasted from 1967 to mid-1968. This line-up included Kevyn Gammond's guitar and Paul Lockey on bass. Their brand of soul and
blues was popular with Birmingham
mods. This line-up recorded a number of
demo recordings in early 1968, but broke up in May 1968 when a recording contract failed to materialise. Lead guitar duties were briefly served by
Dave Pegg, who later played the bass guitar with
Fairport Convention and
Jethro Tull. Pegg rehearsed with Band of Joy but did not tour with them. For a 1968 tour of Scotland, Plant and Bonham used bassist John Hill (ex–Uncle Joseph) and guitarist Mick Strode to fill in a temporary line-up.
1977–1983 In 1977 Gammond and Paul Lockey revived Band of Joy, rounding out the line-up with John Pasternak, Peter Robinson, and keyboardist Michael Chetwood. Gammond, Lockey, Pasternak and Robinson had previously played in
Bronco. The two albums recorded under this line-up went on to define the trademark sound of the band, with progressive melodies, blues hooks and experimentation with new sounds blending the sounds of the punk movement with classic genres of rock, blues and progressive influences. The group released a second album in 1983 before breaking up. Gammond later worked with Plant in his group
Priory of Brion.
2010–2011 In 2010 it was announced that Plant would form a new band, record an album and tour as Robert Plant & the Band of Joy. The album
Band of Joy was number 8 on
Rolling Stones list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010. In October 2010 the band appeared, alongside the
London Oriana Choir at the
Roundhouse, London for a special performance at the
BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms. ==Personnel==