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This unique mixed band of British and Germany was performing musical activities considering the live-house "Fantasio" in Dortmund in Germany as their home ground. In spring of 1970, they removed their home-ground from Dortmund to Hannover, where is the top city of the Germany music sene. They performed at live-house "Mulltonne" which existed the good position of musical activities by Hannover of those days. Their live-performance won popularity, and they changed their name to "EPITAPH", were contacted by a major record company Polydor.
They were rocording a "EPITAPH" LP, that
is legendary their 1st album
now, at Windrose studio in Hamburg, and Wessex
studio in London in 1971.
Just before or after this recording, Klaus
Walz joined a band as a
second guitarist, and their debut album has
obtained evaluation high all
over the world now in addition in spite
of the work recorded in only
three days.
They were influenced from the artists
of
the art-rock style, some of British-rock,
such as DEEP PURPLE, I think.
They released a single record named "LONDON
TOWN GIRL" same time
of release of their debut album.
They played for the performance to the TV
program in Germany such as
"Beatclub", etc. In April 1972, for recording
of their second album in
Audioton studio in Berlin. Then, "STOP, LOOK
AND LISTEN" album was done.
After this released, James Mcgillivray left
the band in order to join
the band of Toto Blanke, who is a jazz-rock
artist. Dortmunder, Achim
Wielert replaced James.
And they released two single records, "AUTUMN'71"
and "WE LOVE YOU
ALICE."
They continued musical growth, they
endeavored
after support of a famous
musicians ,CURVED AIR, GOLDEN EARING, RORY
GALLAGHER ( Wow! my
favorite!), and EL&P.
And they received an offer from Billingsgate,
a minor record label in
Chicago, USA. This happening became the hard
times turning point in fact
for them.
I think that it was a big dream to carry
out tour and to get a success
in the United States for the European artists
of those days.
LED ZEPPELIN was also so and DEEP PURPLE
was too.
I think that they Epitaph probably also considered
so.
I surmise freely whether such an idea of
especially Cliff Jackson who
was British youngman was strongly concidering
so.
So, they went to the United States
after
August in 1973, did live tour
at the small club. And started for recording
of "OUTSIDE THE LAW", their
3rd album. Just before or after the American
tour accompanied by an
album release, Drummer,Achim Wielert left
the band and Norbert "Panzer"
Lehmann who was member of germany heavyrock
band KARTHAGO, joined
replace of Achim. In 1974, although they
became the year devoted to
tour, dark shade would insert in them...
It was the situation that tour must be interrupted and it could not do nothing but return to their home-country Germany, I understood that, as for the notice with bad timing which reached their basis from the United States, Billingsgate of an affiliation label had gone bankrupt especially but as the album might be good sales. In 1975, Cliff knew that the debt which the label undertook would fall on themselves if musical activities would be continued using the name of EPITAPH, he said to the press, "It is the situation which cannot but carry out the activity stop for two months", and made the decision which makes EPITAPH disperse reluctantly temporarily. Then, the curse from the label which went bankrupt would be solved in August, 1975.
Although EPITAPH called back Cliff, Bernd
Kolbe, Klaus Walz, and an
original member's James Mcgillivray at this
time and it became activity
resumption, Drummer was soon changed to Fritz
Randow ,a former of ELOY.
The musical activities for contract acquisition
started again after it
in Germany.
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Klaus Waltz joined the Hannover great band JANE, and participated also in LADY which was the session band of the member of JANE around 1978. Although Bernie (=Bernd) Kolbe had also joined JANE temporarily in 1984 to 1986, KINGDOM was formed with Cliff Jackson after that, and the band name was soon changed into DOMAIN cause of Lenny Wolf's kingdome Come. They made many natural melodious tune efficiently one after another, and gained many fans in the world sure here in Japan.
With the member who was former of EPITAPH
in the past, James Mcgillvray
who was original EPITAPH drummer, was also
member of German progressive
band, MISSUS BEASTLEY for three month in
1975.
Achim Wielert who was drummer in 3rd
album,
joined BREAK CELEBRATION to BULLFROG.
A bassist of Brain label age, Harvey
Janssen
joined a germany minor hard rock band
LORRY
in 1982.
Fritz
Randow who was a drummer of Brain label
age joined a psychedelic band
BASTARD in 1981 after EPITAPH withdrawal
and, even now, in addition, his
career is continued with VICTORY-SINNER-SAXON
after that.
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Moreover, from 1998 , Cliff Jackson, Heinz
Glass, Michael Karch and their friends, they
are performing the live several times in
Germany in the name of EPITAPH.
Sometimes Cliff Jackson formed the band of
oneself, CLIFF JACKSON BAND. And he also
run the band,EPITAPH now.
Someday I really hope to see their live performance.
They are still rolling on!!
Koichi Matsunaga