Few would deny that Leaf Hound’s ‘Growers of Mushroom’ was one of the great rock albums of 1971. Vocalist Peter French went on to front the greatest of all Atomic Rooster albums, ‘In Hearing Of…’, later that same year. One album with each band. And then… he disappeared. There were a few more recordings with this or that band in the 70s but nothing that anyone’s ever heard of. He must surely be the greatest ‘classic British rock’ vocalist never to have found a vehicle with longevity and public acceptance comensurate with the quality of his voice.
French reconstituted a new Leaf Hound in 2004, recording new albums in 2007 (studio) and 2012 (live).
He then joined a reformed Atomic Rooster with fellow 1971-72 member Steve ‘Bolton’ Bolton and the blessing of late bandleader Vincent Crane’s widow Jean in 2016. I think he continued with Leaf Hound as well for a period overlapping with this, but eventually focused on Rooster. Wikipedia tells us (!) that he left in the middle of a 2023 European tour, reportedly not able to keep up with the touring schedule – though there had previously been talk of musical differences (a wonderfully 1970s phrase!).
An all-new Leaf Hound was formed in 2024, and I see that a new album has appeared this year with three promo videos online. The music seems to be certainly within the sonic ballpark of the 1971 album but – from the briefest of dippings-in – perhaps without its magic.
Here (in the comments) is one of the 1971 tracks performed onstage earlier this year by the all new ‘Hound. The bass player has some interesting moves. A cracking live band of its type! If you’d told Pete 55 years ago that he’d still be fronting Leaf Hound in 2025, would he have believed you?
‘Stagnant Pool’ live in 2025:
He certainly doesn’t look as old as he must actually be.
That’s pretty impressive.
Give the bass player some lead boots.
The record shop in Bridgwater is the only place I’ve ever seen a copy of ‘Growers of Mushroom’ in the wild.