Them, Van Morrison: The Belfast Blues-Rock Pioneers

Them, fronted by the legendary Van Morrison, was a seminal Irish rock band that laid crucial groundwork for the blues-rock and psychedelic movements. Hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, the group achieved international fame in the mid-1960s with their raw, energetic sound and a string of influential hits that have endured for decades.

Early career

Them was formed in Belfast in 1964, initially as a gritty R&B and blues cover band known for their intense, lengthy club performances. The lineup solidified around the young, soulful vocalist Van Morrison, with the group quickly gaining a formidable live reputation at venues like the Maritime Hotel. Their potent stage show caught the attention of Dick Rowe at Decca Records, who signed them and rushed them into London studios to capture their volatile energy on tape.

Breakthrough

Them's breakthrough arrived in late 1964 with the release of their debut single, "Don't Start Crying Now." However, it was the B-side of their next single that cemented their place in history. "Gloria," written by Morrison, became an instant garage-rock anthem, though its chart success was initially limited in the UK. The song's raw power and simple, driving structure made it a staple for countless cover bands and a radio favorite, especially in the United States and Europe, propelling the band to international attention.

Key tracks

Gloria — This three-chord anthem became the band's signature song and one of the most covered rock songs of all time, defining the garage rock ethos.

Here Comes the Night — Produced by Bert Berns, this 1965 single was Them's first major UK Top 10 hit, showcasing a more polished, pop-inflected side.

Baby, Please Don't Go — Their explosive 1964 debut single, a cover of a blues standard, announced their aggressive sound and earned them a UK Top 10 position.

Mystic Eyes — A hypnotic, nearly six-minute instrumental-driven track from the "Them" album that highlighted the band's improvisational prowess and psychedelic leanings.

The band's debut album, "Them," featuring these key tracks, was released in 1965 to critical acclaim. Despite their success, the lineup was notoriously unstable, with frequent changes behind Morrison. The 1966 follow-up, "Them Again," contained more Morrison originals like the notable "Could You Would You." Internal tensions and Morrison's growing songwriting ambitions led to his departure for a solo career in 1966, after which the band continued briefly with diminishing returns.

Van Morrison's subsequent legendary solo career, beginning with the 1967 hit "Brown Eyed Girl," forever linked the Them name to his early genius. The band's two core albums have been reissued and certified gold over the years, recognizing their enduring influence. Their music, particularly "Gloria," has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and continues to be a rite of passage for rock musicians.

Fans of Them, Van Morrison's raw 1960s sound should explore similar trailblazers from the era. The Animals shared a deep commitment to reinterpreted blues and R&B with a powerful vocalist. The Yardbirds similarly fused blues with experimentation, launching the careers of several guitar heroes. The Kinks paralleled Them's journey from raw, powerful singles to more nuanced album-oriented rock. Cream extended the blues-rock jam aesthetic that Them pioneered in their live shows.

Them's catalog remains a vital part of the rotation on classic rock FM stations and dedicated 1960s rock radio streams. Their songs are regularly featured on programs highlighting the roots of punk and garage rock, as well as on stations celebrating the British Invasion era and its lesser-known champions.

You can hear the essential music of Them, Van Morrison on radio stations featured across our network. Discover the raw power of Belfast's greatest 1960s export by tuning into the classic rock and dedicated era stations available on onairium.com.