The Pretty Things: Pioneers of British Rhythm and Blues

The Pretty Things are a foundational British rhythm and blues and rock band formed in London in 1963. Emerging from the same fertile Soho scene as The Rolling Stones, they carved a distinct path with a raw, aggressive sound that directly influenced the birth of psychedelic and progressive rock.

Early career

The band was founded in September 1963 by guitarist Dick Taylor, who had briefly been a member of The Rolling Stones, and vocalist Phil May. Their name was taken from the 1955 Bo Diddley song Pretty Thing. Signed to Fontana Records, their early singles like 1964's Rosalyn and Don't Bring Me Down were gritty, high-energy R&B that charted in the UK Top 50.

Breakthrough

The Pretty Things' breakthrough into artistic innovation came with their 1968 album S.F. Sorrow. Released on the Columbia label, it is widely cited as one of the first rock operas, predating The Who's Tommy. Despite critical acclaim, the album achieved limited commercial success at the time, though its stature has grown enormously over the decades.

Key tracks

Rosalyn — This 1964 debut single defined their raw, garage-infused take on rhythm and blues and became a staple of their live set.

Don't Bring Me Down — A UK Top 10 hit in 1964, this song remains their highest-charting single and a classic of the British Invasion era.

SF Sorrow Is Born — The opening track to their seminal 1968 rock opera, showcasing their shift into complex, story-driven psychedelia.

Private Sorrow — A highlight from S.F. Sorrow, this track exemplifies their sophisticated use of vocal harmonies and melancholic melody within a conceptual framework.

Parachute — The title track from their 1970 album, which won critical praise and saw them exploring a more pastoral, progressive rock sound.

Their 1970 follow-up, Parachute, was named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine. The band's lineup fluctuated heavily throughout the 1970s, with periods on labels like Warner Bros. and Swan Song, leading to a hiatus in the early 1980s. A reunion in the late 1990s sparked a creative resurgence, resulting in well-received new albums like 2007's Balboa Island and 2015's The Sweet Pretty Things (Are in Bed Now, of Course...).

Fans of The Pretty Things' gritty R&B roots and adventurous spirit should also explore The Yardbirds, who similarly pushed blues into new territories. The Kinks share the same British Invasion origins and a knack for sharp social observation. For their psychedelic and progressive leanings, listen to Pink Floyd from their early Syd Barrett period. The Who also parallel their journey from mod anthems to ambitious rock operas.

The music of The Pretty Things holds a permanent place on the playlists of dedicated classic rock FM stations and specialist alternative rock radio stations. Their influential catalog, from primal R&B to psychedelic suites, is a regular feature on online rock radio streams celebrating music's evolution.

You can hear the powerful legacy of The Pretty Things on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their essential tracks and understand their pivotal role in rock history through our curated independent music radio stations.