Although this band was originally based in London, it is seminal to the Canterbury progressive/psychedelic family tree, as all of the members save for vocalist Carol Grimes fanned out to various Canterbury groups upon its untimely demise. Delivery was formed as a R&B band by two boyhood chums, guitarist Phil Miller and drummer Pip Pyle, during the English blues boom of the late ’60s. The band usually backed visiting American blues acts with a fluctuating lineup until singer Carol Grimes joined. Soon acquiring a record contract, things seemed to be going well for Delivery until its label rushed the band through its recording sessions, then delayed the album’s release for months. Upon the release of Fool’s Meeting, the record company attempted to promote Grimes as a solo act, the English equivalent to Janis Joplin. The company also fed silly rumors to the press such as Grimes making a habit of eating gravel! Despite favorable reviews, the band fell apart due to poor record sales and lack of steady financial backing. Grimes went solo and the rest of the members joined various Canterbury-related groups. Pip Pyle became Gong’s drummer, Phil Miller became a founding member of Matching Mole with Robert Wyatt, pianist Stephen Miller joined Caravan, bassist Roy Babbington joined the Soft Machine, and Lol Coxhill played saxophone with Kevin Ayers. In 1972, the Miller brothers and Pip Pyle attempted to reform Delivery with Caravan bassist Richard Sinclair. Stephen Miller declined joining the band, and with Dave Stewart as keyboardist, the reformed Delivery instead took the name Hatfield and the North. Delivery’s sole album has recently been reissued. ~ Jim Powers

Delivery, Es, Honk

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