Them: The Belfast Blues-Rock Pioneers of the British Invasion

Them was a pivotal rhythm and blues and rock band formed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1964. Best known as the launching pad for the legendary singer and songwriter Van Morrison, the group carved a unique niche in the British Invasion with its raw, garage-rock energy and potent blend of blues and proto-punk attitude.

Early Career

Them coalesced in Belfast in 1964 around the formidable talents of vocalist Van Morrison. The original lineup, including guitarist Billy Harrison, bassist Alan Henderson, and drummer Ronnie Millings, quickly built a fierce reputation through a residency at the Maritime Hotel, where their intense, extended R&B covers captivated local audiences. This led to a recording contract with Decca Records and the release of their debut single, "Don't Start Crying Now," in late 1964, though it was the B-side of their next single that would change everything.

Breakthrough

Them's breakthrough arrived in 1965 with the release of "Gloria," a song penned by Van Morrison. Initially the B-side to "Baby, Please Don't Go," "Gloria" became an instant classic, its simple, driving riff and Morrison's iconic vocal spawning countless covers and cementing its status as a garage-rock anthem. The band's debut album, "The Angry Young Them," released that same year, further showcased their gritty take on American blues and R&B, though internal tensions and lineup changes plagued the group throughout its short but influential career.

Key Tracks

Gloria - The band's signature song, a three-chord masterpiece that became a standard for rock bands worldwide and defined their raw, rebellious sound.

Baby, Please Don't Go - Their fierce 1965 A-side, a reworking of the old blues number that announced Them's powerful, electric R&B approach to the charts.

Here Comes the Night - A 1965 hit produced by Bert Berns, showcasing a more polished, pop-oriented side of the band that reached the UK Top 10.

Mystic Eyes - A hypnotic, nearly six-and-a-half-minute track from their debut album, highlighting the band's improvisational power and psychedelic-tinged instrumentals.

Them's story is largely defined by Van Morrison's early development, with the band dissolving in 1966 as he embarked on his monumental solo career. Their brief output, however, left an indelible mark on the blues-rock and garage genres, influencing the sound of countless acts that followed with their unvarnished intensity and seminal songs.

Fans of Them's gritty British rhythm and blues sound often appreciate the work of similar artists from the era, such as The Animals, who shared a deep reverence for American blues music. The raw energy of the early The Kinks also parallels Them's proto-punk drive. For the songwriting depth that followed Van Morrison's tenure, listeners might explore The Yardbirds, another group famed for launching major guitar talents within a blues-rock framework.