East of Eden is a 1970s progressive rock band, who had a Top 10 hit with the single "Jig-a-Jig" in 1971.
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History
Their professional career began back in 1967 when they were formed in Bristol by Dave Arbus (born David Arbus, 8 October 1941, in Leicester, Leicestershire) (violin, flute, saxophone, trumpet), Ron Caines (born 13 December 1944, in Bristol, Somerset) (alto saxophone), Geoff Nicholson (born 27 June 1948, near Bristol, Somerset) (guitar, vocals), and Geoff Britton (born 1 August 1943, in Lewisham, South London) (drums), who later joined Wings. In 1969 they released the Mercator Projected album, followed shortly after by the SNAFU and Jig-a-Jig albums (both released in 1970). Although some might consider this group as being a symphonic progressive band, others state that their style is mostly jazz oriented. Combining flutes, violins and tape loops to folk, gypsy and psychedelic music, the East of Eden style was always heavily supported on a pure rock base; strong and experimental. The band broke up in the mid 1970s having undergone various changes in membership. Important members in late line-ups included guitarist Andy Sneddon (born 8 May 1946, Ayrshire), bassist David Jacks (born 24 January 1940, Glasgow), drummer Jeff Allen (born 23 April 1946, Matlock) and violinist Joe O'Donnell. The three core members (Arbus, Caines and Nicholson), reunited in 1999 for the release of their new album Kalipse. Like most of their earlier work, it was a cult hit only.
Trivia
Arbus was a guest musician on The Who's track "Baba O'Riley," playing the violin solo. He was a good friend of the band's drummer Keith Moon and was later a member of Fiddler's Dram.
References
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
- Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7
