West Bromwich
Vernon Pereira.Vocals/Guitar
Mick Reeves.Vocals/Guitar/Bass Guitar
Terry Davies.Vocals
Phil Brittle.Drums
This is the story of a band whose tragic legacy
could never have been predicted.
Possessed were born out the thriving underground
West Midlands Rock & Blues scene of the mid to late 60s.
This was a scene in which band- leader, Vernon Pereira,
had been a key figure.
Indian-born Pereira was an original member of The Band Of Joy
where he played alongside future Led Zeppelin
stars Robert Plant and John Bonham.
The trio remained close friends right up until Possesseds
untimely end in a tragic road accident
whilst returning home from a gig in Carlisle on October 21st 1976.
Lost in this accident were the lives of Pereira, Reeves
and then vocalist Terry Davies.
The band were formed in late 1969
when Vernon teamed up with Mick Reeves,
who had been playing in (amongst other bands)
Sugarstack with Al Atkins.
This was the band that would eventually evolve
into being the first incarnation of Judas Priest.
Mick had created a very unique instrument,
which was basically a Gibson SG Guitar and Bass,
both sawn in half & joined together.
He also created his own octave divider, which will explain
some of the more sonic frequencies that rip through
Vernons complex riffing on this recording.
Drummer, Phil Brittle was also something of a local legend.
He had also been a member of The Band Of Joy,
as well as being an original member of The Way Of Life
before John Bonham entered the fold.
In fact, it was Bonham himself who taught
Phil how to play triplets and double kick drums!
The quality of music & playing is unquestionable,
Phil Brittles unpredictable beats rattle and bash
with intense precision, weaving astonishing patterns
between Vernon and Micks fierce, yet intensely catchy rifferama.
What we have here is a true lost gem from the
Hard-edged Progressive Rock era.
Exploration was originally recorded and scheduled
for a major label release in 1971.
Due to unknown reasons,
it has never seen the light of day: until now.
Scheduled for release on CD and LP in September 2006,
the myths and legends of this extraordinary band
can finally be cleared and laid to rest.
35 years after it was originally intended for release,
‘Exploration’ finally sees the light of day on
Mon 25th September 2006, on the Rise Above Relics label.
The recordings have been proffessionally
mastered from the original masters and sound fantastic.
There have been several features in local West Midlands press
(Birmingham Evening Mail & Express & Star to name a couple).
The other great news is that Central TV Evening News
will be running a story on the band and their legacy.
This will be broadcast on the evening of the albums release.
‘Exploration will be available at all good record stores
and will also be available via the Rise Above Records website (www.riseaboverecords.com)
A special vinyl version will be released later in the year.
It gives me a strange mixture, of both sadness and pleasure in making this post!
The sadness, that two wonderful talents,
were so tragically lost.
The pleasure comes from the fact,
that I knew Mick and Vernon, both as friends and as professional musicians.
Mick was a fantastic musician, and I spent many hours in his parents home,
making music together.
I took Mick to Birmingham to buy those Gibson’s,and remember his Dad, sawing them, in half!!!Vernon was unique, in the fact he had both the good looks and magical talent,
that could have made him a super-star.It is a lasting legacy that this album,
should be released, and a fitting epitaph,
to such unique talents.
My Sincere Wishes
Compiled by Keith Law
There Are Currently 17 Comments for this Post
is tht a pic a terry ticker davies, i am not sure i only ever knew terry with a beard. we played in bands around 73 and 74 in burton on trent. he was a good friend and a real character. the lat time i saw him was in 76 ui came over to the coach and horses in west brom to see him in his band
i have one or two pics of him on stage with us.
sped
Phil Brittle is the drummer in the Maz Mitrenko Band, they played last night at a local blues club in Lancashire. I’m a Brummy and compiling some research on the rock scene late 60’s early 70’s … as I was there!!
I did see Possessed in the Railway Curzon st in the seventies they were great, I’ve known Phil Brittle for years and as a drummer myself I’ve drawn massive inspiration from Phil, he is a legend.
I’ve just seen Phil with the Maz Mitrenko Band in Colne, and I knew Phil was something special. I didn’t realise how much history was there. Energy, attitude, and an amazing drummer.
I Played with Phil in a social Club band on the 90s. I aslo know Maz from when i was 18 and we both worked at the GPO, small world eh.
We were also Regulars on the M6 and i remember well that we (Bandanna MK1) payed at the same venue just the week after Posessed had their accident and the guys lost their lives.
Having read about this tragic accident in my copy of the J.B’s book, it mentions that there were other band members injured, does anyone know any name’s as I feel my old music teacher may have been one of them. Regards. Andy.
There was a member of this band named Kelvin Yates who was in the van that fateful day.
My dad was a superstar in my eye’s i was only 11 years old when the crash happened, obviously I was devastated and to this day i look up to him my idol my inspiration my dad it’s been 40 years today 25th October VERNON PEREIRA XXXX
Very sorry you lost your father Reno, it was a tragic accident.
I remember Vernon first from when he was in the Wellington Kitch Band with Charlie Grima (late of Wizard) and also from the Band of Joy and Possessed.
Hi Reno. I was a good friend of your dads and have lost touch with your mom Carol. I send my love and best wishes to all. X
Remember seeing Possessed in a small club in Wellington, Telford. Good band who were happy to talk music with us for ages. Sadly can’t remember too much about the other lads, for which I apologise but Vernon I do remember. A charismatic and full of life character and a genuinely top bloke. 40 years on he is still remembered fondly by myself and I suspect many others.
I wish i had seen my cousin mick play his guitar back in the day he will be missed by all who knew him
Vernon worked for my Dad at the West Bromwich Spring,Vernon.taught me my first chords on the guitar in a front broom in West Brom .often think of him was a good mate,
Hi Reno it was touching reading your comment, i agree with every word you scribe i noticed Vernon in a band called the ‘string beats’ they were a soul band all i can say he was talented ,your Aunt use to be a follower of the band ,Vernon was the man take care Reno,you are from a special stock.
I was at the last ever gig at the Coach House, at Heads Nook near Carlisle. I remember that gig very well. I thought that they had a very promising future, and spoke to the band as they were packing up. I went home to bed after the gig, and was stunned into disbelief when I heard the news of the tragic accident as I got ready for work the following morning. I believe that their van had broken down on the motorway hard shoulder, and was struck from behind by another vehicle.on the M6. Even now I still reflect on that tragic night when the music world was robbed of one of its brightest future bands
Was Steve mcglochlan a member of possessed at one time.