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Charlie McCracken

Northern Irish bassist (born 1948) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charlie McCracken
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Richard 'Charlie' McCracken, credited as both Richard and Charlie McCracken, (born 26 June 1948)[1] is a[2] Northern Irish bassist who was a member of Irish blues rock power trio Taste, featuring Rory Gallagher.[2] He also played with The Spencer Davis Group and Fastway, and also was a session musician with Medicine Head, Kevin Ayers, Mike D'Abo and Francis Dunnery.

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Biography

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McCracken joined Taste alongside drummer John Wilson, replacing original bassist Eric Kitteringham in 1968.[3] With Taste, McCracken opened for Yes, Cream and Blind Faith and at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970, alongside Jimi Hendrix and The Who.[4] In late 1970, they disbanded for numerous reasons, including bad management, differences with Gallagher and financial issues.[4] They performed their last show on New Year's Eve in Belfast.[5] Wilson and McCracken immediately formed 'Stud' in early 1971, with Jim Cregan and John Weider, both past/future members of Family,[6] while Gallagher went on to pursue a solo career.

Stud disbanded in 1973,[6] McCracken next joined a re-formed Spencer Davis Group with Spencer Davis, Ray Fenwick, Eddie Hardin and Pete York. The group released the albums Gluggo (1973) and Living in a Back Street (1974) before once again disbanding.[7] McCracken contributed to an album called Hardin & York With Charlie McCracken, with former Spencer David bandmates Eddie Hardin and Pete York in 1974.[8]

After four years, McCracken reappeared as bassist of Axis Point, with former members of Family, Spencer Davis Group and Judas Priest.[9] The band existed between 1977 and 1979.[10] McCracken resurfaced in 1983 as the first "Permanent" bassist of Fastway, a band founded by former Motorhead guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke, and former UFO bassist Pete Way, Way had departed shortly after the band formation.[11] With Fastway, McCracken recorded All Fired Up in 1984 before departing alongside drummer Jerry Shirley after "Hardships of touring".[11]

Following the death of Rory Gallagher, McCracken and Wilson reformed Taste in 1996 with new guitarist/vocalist Sam Davidson. McCracken retired from the band and music in 2010, he was replaced by Albert Mills.[2]

Discography

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McCracken (left) with Taste in 1970.

with Taste

with Stud

with The Spencer Davis Group

  • Gluggo (1973)
  • Living in a Back Street (1974)
  • Catch You On The Rebop - Live In Europe 73 (1995)
  • With Their New Face On (1997)
  • Keep On Running (40th Anniversary) (2004)
  • Taking Out Time (Complete Recordings 1967-1969) (2016)

with Axis Point

  • Axis Point (1978)
  • Boast of the Town (1980)

with Fastway/Eddie Clarke

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References

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