View source for Trapeze (band)

{{Short description|English rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Trapeze
| background      = group_or_band
| origin          = [[Cannock]], England
| genre           = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[blues rock]]|[[funk rock]]|[[progressive rock]] {{small|(early)}}}}
| years_active    = {{hlist|1969–1982|1991–1992|1993–1994}}
| label           = {{hlist|[[Threshold Records|Threshold]]|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|[[Major League Productions|Major League]]|[[Castle Communications|Castle]]}}
| spinoffs        = 
| spinoff_of      = {{hlist|[[Finders Keepers (band)|Finders Keepers]]|[[The Montanas]]}}
| past_members    = [[Mel Galley]]<br />[[Dave Holland (drummer)|Dave Holland]]<br />[[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]]<br />Terry Rowley<br />John Jones<br />Pete Wright<br />Rob Kendrick<br />[[Peter Goalby]]<br />Steve Bray<br />[[Mervyn Spence]]<br />Richard Bailey<br />[[Kex Gorin]]<br />[[Geoff Downes]]<br />Craig Erickson
}}
'''Trapeze''' were an English [[Rock music|rock]] band from [[Cannock]], [[Staffordshire]]. Formed in 1969, the band originally featured former [[The Montanas]] members John Jones (trumpet, vocals) and Terry Rowley (keyboards), and former [[Finders Keepers (band)|Finders Keepers]] members [[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] (bass, vocals, piano), [[Mel Galley]] (guitar, vocals) and [[Dave Holland (drummer)|Dave Holland]] (drums). Jones and Rowley left the band following the release of their [[Trapeze (1970 album)|self-titled debut album]] in 1970, with the lineup of Hughes, Galley and Holland continuing as a trio. After the release of ''[[Medusa (Trapeze album)|Medusa]]'' later in 1970 and ''[[You Are the Music... We're Just the Band]]'' in 1972, Hughes left Trapeze in 1973 to join [[Deep Purple]].

Galley and Holland resurfaced with Trapeze a year later, adding second guitarist Rob Kendrick and bassist Pete Wright to the band. ''[[Hot Wire (Trapeze album)|Hot Wire]]'' was released in late 1974 and a second [[Trapeze (1975 album)|self-titled album]] followed in 1975, after which the classic trio briefly reunited for a tour in 1976 when Hughes returned following Deep Purple's breakup. After Hughes left again, Trapeze returned in 1978 with new frontman [[Peter Goalby]], who performed on the band's final album ''[[Hold On (Trapeze album)|Hold On]]''. Several more lineup changes occurred in the following years, including Holland joining [[Judas Priest]] in 1979, before the band broke up in 1982 as Galley joined [[Whitesnake]].

In 1991, Hughes, Galley and Holland reunited Trapeze for a string of tour dates the following year, adding [[Asia (band)|Asia]] keyboardist [[Geoff Downes]] for the shows. The tour resulted in a live album, ''[[Welcome to the Real World (Trapeze album)|Welcome to the Real World: Live at the Borderline]]'', which was released in 1998. The trio revived Trapeze again in 1994 with second guitarist Craig Erickson, completing a brief tour early in the year before permanently disbanding.

==History==
===1969–1973: Formation and early releases===
Trapeze formed in March 1969, with the original lineup featuring former [[The Montanas]] members John Jones (trumpet, vocals) and Terry Rowley (keyboards, guitar, flute), along with former [[Finders Keepers (band)|Finders Keepers]] members [[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] (bass, vocals, piano) [[Mel Galley]] (guitar, vocals) and [[Dave Holland (drummer)|Dave Holland]] (drums).<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/trapeze-mn0000746220/biography |title=Trapeze: Biography & History |last=Ankeny |first=Jason |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> One of the band's early performances was filmed for an appearance on the [[BBC Two|BBC2]] show ''[[Colour Me Pop]]'', recorded on 5 July 1969 at Club Lafayette in [[Wolverhampton]], at which they performed the song "Send Me No More Letters".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glennhughes.com/trapeze/trapeze69b.html |title=Trapeze (5-piece), prior to their July 5th, 1969 appearance on the BBC-2 TV show, Colour Me Pop recorded at the Lafayette (The Laf) in Wolverhampton |publisher=[[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Local promoter Tony Perry described the show as "one of the most outstanding nights at the [venue]", praising the band's performance as "fantastic".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/InBetweenTimes/Page8d.htm |title='N Between Times |publisher=[[University of Wolverhampton]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506032551/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/InBetweenTimes/Page8d.htm |archive-date=6 May 2010 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Later in the year, Trapeze signed as the first act on [[Threshold Records]], a record label founded by [[The Moody Blues]] and distributed in the United States by [[London Records]] and elsewhere by [[Decca Records]].<ref name="threshold">{{cite magazine |title=Moody Blues Launch Label |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/60s/1969/Billboard%201969-12-06-OCR-Page-0013.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=6 December 1969 |volume=81 |issue=49 |page=13 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> The band reportedly declined an offer to join [[Apple Records]], the label founded by [[The Beatles]], as they believed that they would have more creative freedom with Threshold.<ref name="priest">{{cite book |last1=Daniels |first1=Neil |author-link1=Neil Daniels |title=The Story of Judas Priest: Defenders of the Faith |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qRTEsW44NDQC&pg=PT107 |location=London, England |publisher=[[Omnibus Press]] |date=7 April 2010 |page=107 |isbn=978-0857122391 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref>

[[File:JohnLodge.jpg|thumb|right|[[The Moody Blues]] bassist [[John Lodge (musician)|John Lodge]] produced the first two albums by Trapeze, 1970's ''[[Trapeze (1970 album)|Trapeze]]'' and ''[[Medusa (Trapeze album)|Medusa]]''.]]
Working with The Moody Blues bassist [[John Lodge (musician)|John Lodge]] as producer, Trapeze recorded their [[Trapeze (1970 album)|self-titled debut album]] at London's [[Morgan Studios]] and [[Decca Studios]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/trapeze-1970-mw0000377231 |title=Trapeze - Trapeze: Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=Eder |first=Bruce |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Despite Jones being the band's official lead singer, Hughes performed all vocals on the release.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Trapeze |others=Trapeze |year=1970 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-Trapeze/release/2567460 |access-date=20 September 2017 |publisher=[[Threshold Records]] }}</ref> Hughes has revealed that he was asked to sing on the album by the group's management, who deemed him to be the better of the two vocalists.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/EQp9uBNWeMs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20191107000031/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQp9uBNWeMs&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQp9uBNWeMs |title=Glenn Hughes: The Sound and The Story (Short) |author=Fret 12 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=27 September 2016 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Before the end of the year, the Rowley composition "Send Me No More Letters" was released as the band's first [[Single (music)|single]], backed with "Another Day" (written by Galley, Hughes and Jones).<ref name="streissue">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Trapeze |others=Trapeze |year=2004 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-Trapeze/release/3833861 |access-date=20 September 2017 |last=Williamson |first=Nigel |author-link=Nigel Williamson |publisher=Lemon Recordings }}</ref> ''Trapeze'' was released in May 1970.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=New Album Releases for June |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1970/Billboard%201970-06-06-OCR-Page-0023.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=6 June 1970 |volume=82 |issue=23 |page=23 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> The album was generally well received by critics – ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine described it as featuring "a strong rock personality" and dubbed it "a candidate for big chart action",<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Album Reviews: Special Merit Picks: Trapeze |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1970/Billboard-1970-05-09-OCR-Page-0076.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=9 May 1970 |volume=82 |issue=19 |page=46 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> while journalist [[Nigel Williamson]] hailed it as "a classic period example of English prog, mixing pastoral whimsy, swirling psychedelia, rock guitars and pop harmonies".<ref name="streissue"/> It also received significant airplay on [[BBC Radio 1]] from DJs such as [[Bob Harris (radio)|Bob Harris]] and [[Pete Drummond]],<ref name="streissue"/> and was played in full by the station.<ref name="hughes">{{cite web |url=http://www.glennhughes.com/trapeze/ |title=Trapeze - A Brief History (1969-1994) |publisher=[[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> ''Trapeze'' was promoted on a string of shows in the UK between January and July.<ref name="tours">{{cite web |url=http://www.glennhughes.com/tourography/tourlist.html |title=Glenn Hughes Tourography |publisher=[[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref>

In August 1970, Jones and Rowley left Trapeze,<ref name="tours"/> returning to The Montanas.<ref name="priest"/> Rather than replacing the departed members, Hughes, Galley and Holland continued as a [[power trio]], adopting a style more akin to [[hard rock]] and [[funk rock]].<ref name="allmusic"/><ref name="streissue"/> On 13 November 1970, the band released their second album ''[[Medusa (Trapeze album)|Medusa]]'' in the UK,<ref name="medusareissue">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Medusa |others=Trapeze |year=1994 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-Medusa/release/3914923 |access-date=20 September 2017 |last=Tracy |first=John |publisher=[[Threshold Records]] }}</ref> which was issued in the US in March 1971.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=A Giant New LP by Trapeze |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1971/Billboard%201971-03-27-OCR-Page-0077.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=27 March 1971 |volume=83 |issue=13 |page=77 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Produced again by Lodge, the album has since been highlighted by multiple critics as the band's best release, as well as one of the decade's most underrated hard rock albums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/medusa-mw0000623678 |title=Medusa - Trapeze: Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=Anderson |first=Jason |work=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/59576/Trapeze-Medusa/ |title=Review: Trapeze - Medusa |author=manosg |website=Sputnikmusic |date=1 November 2013 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Writing in the booklet for a 1994 reissue of the album, author John Tracy claimed that ''Medusa'' was "greeted with instant, and seemingly universal, acclaim".<ref name="medusareissue"/> Ultimate Classic Rock writer Eduardo Rivadavia credited the album for contributing to the early development of the [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] genre in 1970.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/heavy-metal-born-1970/ |title=1970: The Year Heavy Metal Was Born |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher=[[Loudwire|Loudwire Network]] |date=29 September 2015 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> "Black Cloud", written by Galley with brother Tom, was issued in the US as the only single from the album backed with "Your Love Is Alright", written by the three band members.<ref name="medusareissue"/>

Trapeze toured extensively in promotion of ''Medusa'', primarily in the US, including a stint in December 1970 supporting The Moody Blues and numerous headline tours throughout 1971,<ref name="tours"/> before releasing their third album ''[[You Are the Music... We're Just the Band]]'' on 1 December 1972.<ref name="musicreissue">{{Cite AV media notes |title=You Are the Music... We're Just the Band |others=Trapeze |year=1994 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-You-Are-The-MusicWere-Just-The-Band/release/1719831 |access-date=20 September 2017 |last=Tracy |first=John |publisher=[[Threshold Records]] }}</ref> The album was primarily written by Hughes (three tracks were written by the Galley brothers), produced by Neil Slaven, and featured a number of guest contributors including [[Rod Argent]] on piano and [[B. J. Cole]] on steel guitar.<ref name="musicreissue"/> The album marked an increase in softer, more melodic songs since ''Medusa'', which were praised as highlights of the collection by multiple reviewers.<ref name="musicbillboard">{{cite magazine |title=Special Merit Picks |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1972/Billboard%201972-12-09-OCR-Page-0044.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=9 December 1972 |volume=84 |issue=50 |page=44 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/you-are-the-musicwere-just-the-band-mw0000110761 |title=You Are the Music... We're Just the Band - Trapeze: Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=Foss |first=Richard |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> ''Billboard'' dubbed the album a "fine set",<ref name="musicbillboard"/> while Tracy described it as "a masterpiece".<ref name="musicreissue"/> ''You Are the Music... We're Just the Band'' was the first Trapeze album to chart, peaking at number 9 on the US ''Billboard'' Bubbling Under chart, which acts as an extension to the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Bubbling Under the Top LP's |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-01-20-OCR-Page-0051.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=20 January 1973 |volume=85 |issue=3 |page=51 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> The band toured throughout late 1972 and early 1973 in promotion of the album, including dates in the US and the UK.<ref name="tours"/> Prior to a show at the [[Fillmore East|Village East]] in December 1972, the band's equipment was stolen and they were forced to play using "hastily rented equipment".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Thieves Rob Trapeze Gear |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/70s/1972/Cash-Box-1972-12-30-OCR-Page-0028.pdf|format=Scan |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Cash Box Publishing |date=30 December 1972 |volume=34 |issue=28 |page=28 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=From the Music Capitals of the World: New York |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-01-13-OCR-Page-0016.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=13 January 1973 |volume=85 |issue=2 |page=16 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref>

===1973–1976: Hughes's departure and return===
[[File:Glenn hughes.jpg|thumb|left|[[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] left the band in 1973 to join [[Deep Purple]], although briefly returned for a tour in 1976.]]
In April 1973, [[Deep Purple]] members [[Ritchie Blackmore]], [[Jon Lord]] and [[Ian Paice]] attended a Trapeze show at the [[Whisky a Go Go]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], with a view to asking Hughes to replace bassist [[Roger Glover]] in the band. When approached at another show the following month, Hughes declined the invitation in favour of remaining with Trapeze, claiming that he was "in a very, very different frame of mind as a musician" at the time and dubbing Deep Purple "too basic rock for me".<ref name="purple">{{cite web |url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-11-02/deep-purple-paul-rodgers-would-have-fitted-in-until-the-first-fight |title=Deep Purple: "Paul Rodgers would have fitted in until the first fight" |last=Barton |first=Geoff |publisher=TeamRock |date=2 November 2015 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> However, due to the high-profile status of the group at the time, combined with the prospect of working with former [[Free (band)|Free]] frontman [[Paul Rodgers]], who had been approached to replace vocalist [[Ian Gillan]], Hughes reconsidered and agreed to join the band as bassist and second vocalist.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://loudwire.com/glenn-hughes-wikipedia-fact-or-fiction/ |title=Deep Purple Legend Glenn Hughes Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?' |last=Hartmann |first=Graham |magazine=[[Loudwire]] |date=27 April 2016 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> The lineup change was officially announced in the music magazine ''[[Melody Maker]]'' on 14 July 1973.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Priddy |first1=Neil |title=Purple Records: 1971–1978 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bafeBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA119 |location=London, England |publisher=RareRecordCollector.net |date=4 October 2014 |page=119 |isbn=978-1291942682 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Rodgers ultimately passed on the opportunity to join, focusing instead on the formation of [[Bad Company]].<ref name="purple"/> [[David Coverdale]] was brought in as Gillan's replacement later, after contacting the group in response to the ''Melody Maker'' article, which mentioned that they were still looking for a new singer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/weareteesside/halloffame/davidcoverdale.shtml |title=Tees features: around Teesside and the Tees Valley: David Coverdale |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Hughes has since described the choice to leave Trapeze as a "horrible" one to make, dubbing the band his "family" and claiming in multiple interviews that to some extent he regrets leaving.<ref name="robin2">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/92iAVaTEvSk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20191107000036/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92iAVaTEvSk&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92iAVaTEvSk |title=Glenn Hughes - Live At The Robin 2 (2009) - Interview Trapeze Manager Tony Perry |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=26 January 2017 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/WVp56KvXgfI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20191107000036/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVp56KvXgfI&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVp56KvXgfI |title=Glenn Hughes 1993 Sweden TV Interview |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=24 August 2017 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

After a brief hiatus, Trapeze returned in 1974 with Galley on lead vocals, adding second guitarist Rob Kendrick and bassist Pete Wright to their lineup.<ref name="allmusic"/> In July it was announced that the band had signed with [[Warner Bros. Records]], with a new album slated for release later in the year.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Signings |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-07-20-OCR-Page-0018.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=20 July 1974 |volume=86 |issue=29 |page=18 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Threshold issued the band's first compilation album ''[[The Final Swing]]'' in October,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Pop Power |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-10-05-OCR-Page-0091.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=5 October 1974 |volume=86 |issue=40 |page=91 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> which featured tracks from their first three albums as well as the previously unreleased "Good Love" and "Dats It".<ref name="musicreissue"/> The album was the band's first to chart, entering the US ''Billboard'' 200 at number 184 and peaking at number 172.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top LPs & Tape |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-11-09-OCR-Page-0084.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=9 November 1974 |volume=86 |issue=49 |page=84 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> December saw the release of the band's fourth studio album ''[[Hot Wire (Trapeze album)|Hot Wire]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine |title=New LP/Tape Releases |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-12-14-OCR-Page-0060.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=14 December 1974 |volume=86 |issue=50 |page=60 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> which peaked at number 146 on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top LPs & Tape |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-02-08-OCR-Page-0096.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=8 February 1975 |volume=87 |issue=6 |page=96 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> number 153 on the ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' albums chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cash Box Top 100 Albums Cont'd (101 to 175) |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/70s/1975/CB-1975-02-01-OCR-Page-0050.pdf|format=Scan |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Cash Box Publishing |date=1 February 1975 |volume=36 |issue=37 |page=50 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> and number 161 on the ''[[Record World]]'' albums chart in early 1975.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=151-200 Album Chart |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/70s/75/RW-1975-01-18-OCR-Page-0029.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Record World]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Record World Publishing |date=18 January 1975 |volume=30 |issue=1439 |page=29 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> Former keyboardist Terry Rowley was also featured as a guest contributor on the album, performing synthesizers, organ, electric piano and backing vocals.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Hot Wire |others=Trapeze |year=1974 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-Hot-Wire/release/4319414 |access-date=20 September 2017 |publisher=[[Warner Bros. Records]] }}</ref> Rowley remained in the touring lineup of the band for the ''Hot Wire'' cycle and featured on the album ''[[Live at the Boat Club 1975]]'', although again not credited as a group member.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-boat-club-1975-mw0000459281/credits |title=Live at the Boat Club 1975 - Trapeze: Credits |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref>

Later in 1975, Trapeze released a second [[Trapeze (1975 album)|self-titled album]], on which Hughes returned to perform vocals on two tracks.<ref name="1975reissue">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Trapeze |others=Trapeze |year=2015 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-Trapeze/release/7344609 |access-date=20 September 2017 |publisher=Rock Candy }}</ref> ''Billboard'' praised ''Trapeze'' as an example of "tight, cooking, soul-tinged hard rock",<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Billboard's Recommended LPs |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1976/Billboard%201976-09-18-OCR-Page-0058.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=18 September 1976 |volume=88 |issue=38 |page=58 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> although [[AllMusic]]'s Dave Thompson criticised it as "a dour little disc, desperately missing the funk infusions of Glenn Hughes and, for the most part, overshadowed even by its disappointing predecessor".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/trapeze-1975-mw0002562435 |title=Trapeze (1975) - Trapeze: Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=Thompson |first=Dave |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Galley and Holland briefly took a break from Trapeze in November to complete a British concert tour with [[Justin Hayward]] and John Lodge, in promotion of their collaboration album ''[[Blue Jays (album)|Blue Jays]]'', released earlier in the year.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Record World International: England |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/70s/75/RW-1975-10-11-OCR-Page-0052.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Record World]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Record World Publishing |date=11 October 1975 |volume=31 |issue=1477 |page=52 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> The following year, after Deep Purple broke up, Hughes temporarily reunited the classic trio of Trapeze for The Appreciation Tour, which was scheduled to visit the US in August and the UK in September.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glennhughes.com/trapeze/trap76reforms.html |title=Glenn re-forms Trapeze |publisher=[[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> After a short run of US dates, Hughes left again due to off-stage problems caused by drug abuse, particularly [[cocaine]].<ref name="robin2"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://loudwire.com/glenn-hughes-discusses-deep-purple-mid-70s-breakup/ |title=Glenn Hughes Discusses Deep Purple's Mid-'70s Breakup |last=DiVita |first=Joe |magazine=[[Loudwire]] |date=18 August 2016 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Speaking about the brief reunion in 2007, Galley recalled that Hughes "wasn't in a good state of mind at the time", suggesting that "if we could have carried the electricity of those shows on, we could have known no bounds".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glennhughes.com/fanforum/showthread.php?p=24178 |title=Chat with Mel Galley Transcript - January 21st, 2007 |publisher=[[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] |date=21 January 2007 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Similarly, the band's manager Tony Perry has recalled that Hughes "[had] major problems at the time and was very difficult to deal with", adding that he and the other members of the band had discussed the possibility of firing and replacing him during the tour.<ref name="robin2"/> During their reunion, the trio also recorded a number of new songs, including "L.A. Cut Off" and "Space High", both of which were later released on Hughes's debut solo album ''[[Play Me Out (Glenn Hughes album)|Play Me Out]]'' in 1977.<ref name="hughes"/>

===1978–1982: Later years and disbandment===
After Hughes left the band for a second time, Trapeze returned in 1978 with new frontman [[Peter Goalby]] and Wright returning on bass.<ref name="allmusic"/> Signing a deal with newly formed label Aura Records,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Record World International: England |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Record-World-IDX/IDX/70s/79/RW-1979-10-27-OCR-Page-0071.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Record World]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Record World Publishing |date=27 October 1979 |volume=36 |issue=1684 |page=71 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> the band released their final studio album ''[[Hold On (Trapeze album)|Hold On]]'' in late 1979, produced by [[Jimmy Miller]].<ref name="holdon">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Hold On |others=Trapeze |year=1998 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-Hold-On/release/4759417 |access-date=20 September 2017 |last=Massey |first=Fraser |publisher=Purple Pyramid }}</ref> The album, initially released in Germany in 1978 under the title ''Running'' with a different track listing,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-Running/release/4002366 |title=Trapeze - Running (Vinyl, LP) |publisher=[[Discogs]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> was hailed by ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'' magazine's Graham Neale as the culmination of the band's "obvious regenerated enthusiasm" following recent challenges, while Galley presented it as an evolution in the band's sound and style of songwriting.<ref name="holdon"/> The album received a positive review from ''Billboard'' magazine, which described it as "a noticeably strong ... LP that takes its strength from the tight vocal harmonies and solid original material", suggesting that "Several of the songs included here could become [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]] staples".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First Time Around |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/80s/1981/BB-1981-02-28-OCR-Page-0058.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=28 February 1981 |volume=93 |issue=8 |page=58 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> AllMusic's Steve Huey hailed ''Hold On'' as "quite possibly [Trapeze]'s best" album, while his colleague Joe Viglione praised it for its songwriting and production qualities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/hold-on-mw0000200108 |title=Hold On - Trapeze: Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=Viglione |first=Joe |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref>

[[File:Whitesnake1983.jpg|thumb|right|Trapeze broke up in 1982, when [[Mel Galley]] – by then, the only remaining original member – joined [[Whitesnake]].]]
In August 1979, Holland left Trapeze to join heavy metal band [[Judas Priest]].<ref name="priest"/> He was replaced later by Steve Bray as the band continued to tour in support of ''Hold On'', including dates with [[Humble Pie (band)|Humble Pie]] and a stint supporting Scottish band [[Nazareth (band)|Nazareth]] alongside Swiss group [[Krokus (band)|Krokus]].<ref name="hughes"/><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Boxoffice |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/80s/1981/BB-1981-05-09-OCR-Page-0033.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=9 May 1981 |volume=93 |issue=18 |page=33 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Boxoffice |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/80s/1981/BB-1981-05-23-OCR-Page-0031.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Billboard Publications |date=23 May 1981 |volume=39 |issue=20 |page=31 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> The band released their first live album ''[[Live in Texas: Dead Armadillos]]'' in 1981, which was recorded on the resulting tour in May 1981.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Live in Texas: Dead Armadillos |others=Trapeze |year=1981 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Trapeze-Live-In-Texas-Dead-Armadillos/release/3472867 |access-date=20 September 2017 |publisher=Aura Records }}</ref> By the time the album was released, Goalby had left Trapeze to join [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uriah-heep.com/newa/heepstory10.php |title=Uriah Heep: The Story (April 1981 - January 1982) |publisher=[[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> [[Mervyn Spence]] (bass, lead vocals) and Richard Bailey (keyboards) joined the band later in the year, and in 1982 Bray was replaced by [[Kex Gorin]].<ref name="hughes"/> Trapeze officially came to an end in late 1982, when Galley joined a new lineup of [[Whitesnake]] in time for the Saints & Sinners Tour, which commenced in October.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-11-23/whitesnake-the-coverdale-i-recall-was-a-vain-preposterous-oaf |title=Whitesnake: "The Coverdale I recall was a vain, preposterous oaf" |last=Barton |first=Geoff |publisher=TeamRock |date=23 November 2015 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> The final lineup of Trapeze had begun recording material for a potential new album before Galley left, with the material later adapted for Whitesnake and [[Phenomena (band)|Phenomena]], a project started by Tom Galley.<ref name="hughes"/>

===1991–1994: Reunions and live releases===
Hughes, Galley and Holland revived Trapeze in 1991 for a concert tour featuring keyboardist [[Geoff Downes]].<ref name="allmusic"/> On 20 March 1992 they supported [[Fish (singer)|Fish]] at [[Hammersmith Apollo]]. In May 1992, the band recorded the live album ''[[Welcome to the Real World (Trapeze album)|Welcome to the Real World: Live at the Borderline]]'', which was released in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/welcome-to-the-real-world-mw0000383023 |title=Welcome to the Real World--Live 1992 - Trapeze: Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=Unterberger |first=Richie |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> Another live album, ''Live: Way Back to the Bone'', was released the same year, featuring recordings from earlier in the band's career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-way-back-to-the-bone-mw0000598996 |title=Live: Way Back to the Bone - Trapeze: Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=Prato |first=Greg |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> The trio reunited again in 1993, recording a number of demos for a planned future release.<ref name="musicreissue"/> On 9 February 1994, the band performed at the [[Irving Plaza]] in New York City as part of a concert dedicated to vocalist [[Ray Gillen]], who had died on 1 December 1993.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=That's Sho-Biz: Sho-Talk |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Gavin-IDX/IDX/90s/94/Gavin-1994-02-11-OCR-Page-0009.pdf |format=Scan |magazine=[[Gavin Report]] |location=San Francisco, California |publisher=[[UBM plc|United Newspapers]] |date=11 February 1994 |issue=1991 |page=9 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> This was followed later in the year by a short string of shows in the US and the UK, which Hughes described as a "wonderful run" and a "great experience".<ref name="robin2"/> The trio were joined for the shows by second guitarist Craig Erickson.<ref name="hughes"/> ''[[Live at the Boat Club 1975]]'' was released in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-boat-club-1975-mw0000459281 |title=Live at the Boat Club 1975 - Trapeze: Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=Prato |first=Greg |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
Following the release of ''Live at the Boat Club 1975'' in 2006, Trapeze remained inactive, while Hughes continued with his solo career and collaborations with various artists. Mel Galley died of oesophageal cancer on 1 July 2008,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/04/obituaries.culture |title=Obituary: Mel Galley |last=Daniels |first=Neil |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 July 2008 |access-date=20 September 2017 }}</ref> and Dave Holland died of lung cancer on 16 January 2018, leaving Glenn Hughes the sole surviving member of the classic lineup.

==Band members==
{{Main|List of Trapeze band members}}
*[[Mel Galley]] – guitar, vocals (1969–1982, 1991–1992, 1993–1994) (d. 2008)
*[[Dave Holland (drummer)|Dave Holland]] – drums, percussion (1969–1979, 1991–1992, 1993–1994) (d. 2018)
*[[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] – bass, vocals, piano (1969–1973, 1976, 1991–1992, 1993–1994)
*Terry Rowley – synthesizers, keyboards, backing vocals, guitar (1969–1970, 1974–1976)
*John Jones – trumpet, vocals (1969–1970)
*Pete Wright – bass, backing vocals (1974–1976, 1976–1981)
*Rob Kendrick – guitar, backing vocals (1974–1976)
*[[Peter Goalby]] – guitar, vocals (1978–1981)
*Steve Bray – drums (1980–1982)
*[[Mervyn Spence]] – bass, vocals (1981–1982)
*Richard Bailey – keyboards (1981–1982)
*[[Kex Gorin]] – drums (1982)
*[[Geoff Downes]] – keyboards (1991–1992)
*Craig Erickson – guitar (1994)

==Discography==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
'''Studio albums'''
*''[[Trapeze (1970 album)|Trapeze]]'' (1970)
*''[[Medusa (Trapeze album)|Medusa]]'' (1970)
*''[[You Are the Music...We're Just the Band]]'' (1972)
*''[[Hot Wire (Trapeze album)|Hot Wire]]'' (1974)
*''[[Trapeze (1975 album)|Trapeze]]'' (1975)
*''[[Hold On (Trapeze album)|Hold On]]'' (1979) / ''[[Running (Trapeze album)|Running]]'' (1978, Germany)
'''Live albums'''
*''[[Live in Texas: Dead Armadillos]]'' (1981)
*''[[Welcome to the Real World (Trapeze album)|Welcome to the Real World: Live at the Borderline]]'' (1993)
*''Live: Way Back to the Bone'' (1998)
*''[[Live at the Boat Club 1975]]'' (2006)
*''Live In Houston 1972'' (2021) – RSD release vinyl only 2lp
* Live In Houston 1972 (2021) Also available as an mp3 download
{{col-2-of-2}}
'''Compilations'''
*''[[The Final Swing]]'' (1974)
*''[[Way Back to the Bone]]'' (1986)
*''[[High Flyers: The Best of Trapeze]]'' (1996)
*''[[On the Highwire]]'' (2003)
'''Singles'''
*"Send Me No More Letters" (1969)
*"Black Cloud" (1970)
*"Coast to Coast" (1972)
*"On the Sunny Side of the Street" (1975)
*"Don't Ask Me How I Know" (1979)
*"Running Away" (1980)
{{col-end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.glennhughes.com/trapeze/ Trapeze history] on the [[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]] official website

{{Trapeze}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trapeze}}
[[Category:1969 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1994 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:English hard rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1982]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1991]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1992]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1993]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1994]]
[[Category:Warner Records artists]]
[[Category:Threshold Records artists]]