A British blues-rock musician and founding member of the Climax Blues Band, known for his soulful vocals and masterful guitar playing. He wrote and performed many of the band's hits, including "Using the Power" and "I Love You".
Pete Haycock was a renowned English musician and film score composer, best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of the Climax Blues Band. With a career spanning over four decades, Haycock left an indelible mark on the music industry, leaving behind a legacy of soulful blues, rock, and film scores.
Born on March 4, 1951, in Stafford, England, Haycock was drawn to music from a young age. He was heavily influenced by the guitar solos of Hank Marvin of The Shadows and began playing his first electric guitar at the tender age of 12 at a local miners' club. He later formed a blues band, the Mason-Dixon Line, with friends and went on to play guitar at school and college dances.
In 1967, Haycock met Colin Cooper and joined his soul band, The Gospel Truth. A year later, they founded a new band, the Climax Chicago Blues Band, which eventually became the Climax Blues Band in 1970. The band's original lineup consisted of Haycock (lead guitar, vocals), Cooper (harmonica, vocals), Derek Holt (guitar, vocals), Richard Jones (bass), Arthur Wood (keyboards), and George Newsome (drums).
During the early 1970s, the Climax Blues Band went through several personnel changes before settling into their most stable and successful lineup, featuring Haycock, Cooper, Holt (switched to bass), and John Cuffley (drums). This lineup wrote the band's biggest hit, "Couldn't Get It Right" in 1976, which featured Haycock and Holt's soaring vocal harmonies behind Cooper's lead vocals.
Haycock was an underrated vocalist, singing lead on several of the band's tracks, particularly on the albums Sense of Direction (1974), Stamp Album (1975), Gold Plated (1976), Shine On (1978), and Flying The Flag (1980). His distinctive voice and guitar work were an integral part of the Climax Blues Band's sound.
The Climax Blues Band toured extensively throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with Haycock's iconic gold-plated Veleno guitar becoming a staple of their live shows. The band's energetic performances and Haycock's virtuosic guitar playing earned them a loyal following and critical acclaim.
Pete Haycock's contributions to the world of music are immeasurable. He left behind a rich legacy of soulful blues, rock, and film scores that continue to inspire and influence musicians to this day. His work with the Climax Blues Band remains a testament to his innovative spirit and dedication to his craft.
Pete Haycock passed away on October 30, 2013, leaving behind a legacy of music that continues to inspire and delight audiences. His contributions to the world of music will never be forgotten, and his soulful blues and rock will continue to live on.
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