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.
Richard 'Charlie' McCracken | |
|---|---|
 McCracken performing with Taste in 1970. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard McCracken |
| Also known as | Charlie McCracken |
| Born | 26 June 1948 Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Origin | Dublin, Ireland |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Bassist |
| Years active | 1968–2010 |
| Formerly of | |
Biography
editMcCracken 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 or Family,[6] while Gallagher went on to pursue a solo career.
Stud dispanded 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
edit
with Taste
editwith Stud
editwith The Spencer Davis Group
edit- 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
edit- Axis Point (1978)
- Boast of the Town (1980)
with Fastway/Eddie Clarke
edit- All Fired Up (1984)
- Trick or Treat (1986)
- Fastway / All Fired Up (2000)
- Anthology (2007)
| Year | Artist | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Kim Fowley | International Heroes | |
| Roy Ayers Ubiquity | Red Black & Green | ||
| 1974 | Hardin & York, Charlie McCracken | Hardin & York With Charlie McCracken | |
| 1976 | Kevin Ayers | Yes We Have No Mañanas (So Get Your Mañanas Today) | |
| Medicine Head | Two Man Band | ||
| John Weider | John Weider | ||
| 1977 | Rhead Brothers | Dedicate | |
| Mickey Thomas | As Long As You Love Me | ||
| 1978 | Kevin Ayers | Rainbow Takeaway | |
| 1986 | Tony Barton | Stoned | |
| 1987 | Mike D'Abo | Indestructible | |
| 1996 | Kevin Ayers | First Show In The Appearance Business (The BBC Sessions 1973–76) | |
| 1998 | Too Old To Die Young | ||
| 2001 | Francis Dunnery | Man | |
| 2005 | Pete York Percussion Band | Extension 345 Live! | |
| 2007 | JJ White | Featherhead | |
| 2011 | Kevin Ayers | Rainbow Takeaway / That's What You Get Babe |
References
edit- ^ Vintage Rock USA (26 June 2020). "Happy Birthday to Richard "Charlie" McCracken,, born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, on June 26th, 1948". Facebook. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ a b c "ROCK INTERVIEWS (c) ARTISTES". www.rock-interviews.com. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Roberts, David (1998). Guinness Rockopedia (1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. pp. 168–169. ISBN 0-85112-072-5.
- ^ a b Cartwright, Garth (30 July 2015). "The rise and acrimonious fall of Rory Gallagher's Taste..." louder. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 369–370. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ a b "Stud Biography by AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 348. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ Hardin & York with Charlie McCracken by Hardin & York with Charlie McCracken - RYM/Sonemic, retrieved 10 September 2023
- ^ Jasper Tony and Oliver,Derek. The international encyclopedia of hard rock & heavy metal. Facts on File, 1985. p. 23.
- ^ Hardin, Eddie (April 1999). "Axis Point". spaceritual.net. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 131/2. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.