Timeline
1960s
1959-1966
ca 1961. The Zodiacs.
Keith Bailey.
Photo: Wiltshire Newspaper
1966. The Lonely Ones.
John Andrews, Ian Taylor, Trevor Williams, Keith Bailey (sitting), George Best. Modeling clothes for the George Best Boutique.
Photo: MacKiernan Agency
The Lonely Ones.
Galaxy Entertainments, Carnaby Street, London.
Trevor Williams, Martin Vincent, Keith Bailey, John Andrews, Rick Davies
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
The Zodiacs (1960-63) – Boys Club Band in Swindon (UK), won competitions in the Boy’s Club circuit.
The Black Souls (1963-66)
an evolution of the “Zodiacs”, the name being suggested by Gary Farr of the T-Bones.
R&B band, evolution of the former.
Became very popular local band in Swindon.
The Lonely Ones (1966)
Keith recruited his friend from Swindon, Rick Davies, to replace Ian Taylor when he left the band to study classical guitar. Martin Vincent also joined on bass.
LIFE
1948. Born in London. Conducted the school choir and orchestra when aged six. His Headmaster marked him out to be a musician/conductor.
1955. Family moved to Swindon, Wiltshire.
1956-1960. Ballet and Tap. 1959, on regional TV performing the same.
1966. Relocated to Folkstone, with the Lonely Ones.
At age 17 he was offered the drum position with Jimi Hendrix in 1966. Keith opted to remain with the Lonely Ones. Read “The Grail Guitar” by Chris Adams.
1967. The Lonely Ones began to perform in Europe, back and forth from the UK. In the summer of 1967 they relocated to Rome, and then to Geneva. In Geneva they augmented the band to a larger ensemble. In Rome they had changed their name to “The Joint.”
1967-1968
1967. The JOINT. Geneva. Switzerland.
Left to right: Rick Davies (sitting), Trevor Williams (standing), Ian Aitchison, Steven Joliffe, Martin Vinson, John Andrews (sitting).
1968. The JOINT.
Recording in Munich for the film, “Lieber und so Wieter.”
Trevor Williams, Keith Bailey, Rick Davies, John Andrews (sitting)
1968. Rehearsing/Recording at Aganippe.
Rick Davies (back to camera), John Andrews, Keith Bailey, Steve Brass, Trevor Williams.
1968. Keith Bailey. Aganippe, Versoix, Geneva.
COMPOSITIONS
RECORDINGS
The Joint:
Freak Street, Hardy Willum
Recordings: many recordings at Aganippe. New album of these recordings to be released soon.
Videos of The Joint, and first TV performance of Gilbert O’Sullivan, Bayerishe Rundfunk Television, Munich, 1968.
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
The Joint (evolution from The Lonely Ones)
John Andrews, Trevor Williams, Rick Davies, Martin Vincent (Bass), Keith Bailey.
In the summer of 1967, they performed the music for, and were featured in a film called “What’s Happening.” The recording and filming was at a Chateau in Morges, Switzerland. On this project they first met and began to work with composer David Llewelyn.
After this film they continued working on more film music with David Llewelyn in Munich at the Bayerishe Rundfunk for the George Moorse film, “Der Griller.”
Early in 1968 they performed more film music with David and George, again for the Bayerishe Rundfunk film, “Lieber und so Wieter.” It is during these recordings that they met M. Sam Miesegaes.
For several months from about spring onwards, the Joint relocated to “Villa Aganippe” of M. Miesegaes, to work on their own music compositions. During this period, they recruited Steve Brass (from Keith’s earlier band in Swindon) on bass. They made many recordings whilst at Aganippe. Some of these recordings have since been remastered by Keith and will be released soon.
LIFE
1967. Relocated to Rome, Geneva, Munich. Performed film music in Morges and Munich.
1968. Woodshedding at Villa Aganippe in Versoix of Sam Miesegaes in Switzerland.
1969
Graham Bond Initiation performing at the Marquee Club in London.
Photo: grahambond.org
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
LIFE
1969. Back in London. Relocated to Cambridge with Graham Bond.1969. Back in London. Relocated to Cambridge with Graham Bond.
See link: Interview with Keith Bailey
1970s
1970-1972
1970. Graham Bond, BBC Live Recordings. Photo: grahambond.org
ca 1972. Keith Bailey in London studio.
Photo: Jak Kilby.
COMPOSITIONS
RECORDINGS
BBC Live Recordings
(1970, Graham Bond Initiation)
HolyMagic
(1970, Graham Bond Initiation)
Peace for our Time
(1970, Warm Dust)
The Guide (1970)
Blueprints
(1970, Keith Tippet)
Command All Stars
(1972, Elton Dean, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Keith Tippet, Harry Miller, Johnny Dyani)
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
Graham Bond Initiation
Warm Dust
Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express
Long John Baldry
Associate performances with Alexis Korner, Peter Green, and others.
Keith Tippet Trio
Keith Tippet Centipede
Other ensembles with Nic Evans, Mark Charig, Elton Dean, etc.
Stomu Yamash’ta’s Red Buddha Theatre – Paris
w/Elton Dean
Mark Charig Trio, with Johnny Dyani
Keith Bailey’s Orbit
LIFE
1970. London
1973-1976
1973. Arman Ratip Quartet.
Photo: Jak Kilby.
1973. JOY. Photo: Jak Kilby.
1973. In performance with JOY.
Photo: Jak Kilby.
1974. Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, Harry Miller, Keith Bailey – Rotterdam.
Photo: Jak Kilby.
COMPOSITIONS
RECORDINGS
The Spy from Istanbul (Arman Ratip Quartet)
Prayer of the Disciple (1974)
From Breman to Bridgewater (1975. Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath)
Spirit of the Mountains (1975)
JOY. Read full interview of Keith Bailey on Cadillac Records website (1976. Re-released on CD and Vinyl in 2023. Original remastered by Keith Bailey.
Elevation
Spirals
Sanctuary
Alleluia, choral (1976)
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
Arman Ratip Quartet
(Arman Ratip, Marc Charig, Harry Miller, Keith Bailey)
Chris McGregor Quintet
(Mongezi Feza, Dudu Pukwana, Harry Miller)
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath
Mike Osborne Quintet (Stan Tracy, Harry Miller)
JOY (Jim Dvorak, Chris Francis, Frank Roberts, Ernest Mothle, Keith Bailey)
LIFE
London
1975 onwards: studied music composition at Morley College. Hugh Wood, the teacher.
1976. Joy awarded the “Greater London Arts Association Young Musicians Award.”
Remastery of JOY (2023 released).
This album received the prestigious Award for “Best Re-Released Jazz Album of 2023” from Presto Music.
Samples – Press releases.
1978-1979
1978. Duo Keith Bailey/Harrison Smith.
Photo: Jak Kilby.
1979. Prana at the Roundhouse in London.
From left to right, and top to bottom: Kent Carter, Dave Defries, Chris McGregor (centre), Jean-Jacques Avenel, Harrison Smith, Nick Evans. Photo: Jak Kilby.
1979. Keith Bailey, Prana. Performance at the Roundhouse, London.
Photo: Jak Kilby.
COMPOSITIONS
RECORDINGS
Album: Prana
Mysterious Temple I & II
Invocation at the Portal
Vital Fluids
Spatial Fire
Song of Victory, oratorio (1978)
Lotus of the Heart, orchestral (began in 1979)
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
Dave Defries Quintet
Keith Bailey/Harrison Smith Duo
Prana (Keith Bailey’s signature band. David Defries, Harrison Smith, Nick Evans, Chris McGregor, Jean-jacques Avenel, Kent Carter)
LIFE
London
1980s
1986. NYC. Keith Bailey, Temple Percussion.
Photo: Iris Spellings
1989. Album: Sons of the Fire Mist.
COMPOSITIONS
RECORDINGS
Mysterious Temple III (1984)
Lotus of the Heart (returns to it and finishes in 1986)
The Great Invocation (Temple Percussion Recording).
Tom Lazarus engineer, recorded at SUNY, Purchase, NY.
Sons of the Fire Mist (Temple Percussion Album). Tom Lazarus engineer, recorded at SUNY, Purchase, NY.
Dragon of Wisdom (1987)
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
Performed with musicians and bands in NYC
Began performing solo on the Temple Percussion (1984)
Lotus of the Heart performed at SUNY Buffalo, NY 1986.
LIFE
1980. Emigrated to the USA. Resides in NYC.
Studied composition with Nils Vigeland.
1986. SUNY Buffalo Fellowship, “June in Buffalo.” Studies with Morton Feldman.
1990s
Photo: Valerie Meadows
Photo: Valerie Meadows
COMPOSITIONS
RECORDINGS
1999. Recorded and produced The Gandharvas (choral group) in NY.
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
Continual travel throughout the USA (coast to coast) performing Temple Percussion Concerts, and giving talks at conferences pertaining to the esoteric significance/nature of the Temple Percussion music, as well as the same pertaining to music in general.
1999. Formed The Gandharvas Choral Group in NYC with Bob Barrows, music director.
LIFE
Living between NYC and Southern California. Relocated to, Rancho Santa Fe, CA in 1994.
2000s
2007. The Gandharvas in concert in Redlands, California.
Photo: Valerie Meadows
2007. With Bob Barrows at Redlands.
Photo: Valerie Meadows
COMPOSITIONS
RECORDINGS
2004—The Guide, for solo singers and chorus, plus orchestra.
2005—Spirit of the Mountains, for choir and orchestra.
2005—Vital Fluids, for chamber group (revision and orchestration)
2005—Mysterious Temple II (revision and orchestration)
2005—Mysterious Temple I (revision and orchestration)
2005—Prayer of the Disciple (choir added)
2007—Revelation of the Vision, large orchestra
2012—Lotus Awakening (orchestral)
2012—Song of Victory (Oratorio, revision and orchestration)
2013—To the Light (string orchestra)
2016—The Great Invocation (choral)
2018—DevaLands (strings, percussion, hp.)
2019—Mass (choral, strings, bell) Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei
2019—The Beatitudes (choral, strings)
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
Many performances of The Gandharvas in NY and CA.
Temple Percussion Concerts.
Performance of Revelation of the Vision by the New World Symphony in NYC.
LIFE
Giving talks at conferences.
Much international travel.
2020s
Photo : Valerie Meadows
COMPOSITIONS
RECORDINGS
2020—The Lord’s Prayer (choral)
2020—Revelation of the Presence (choral)
2020—Revelation of the Vision (orchestral alternate version)
2023—Memoriam (chorus, strings, harp)
2023—Recording choral music at Studio West, San Diego.
2024—Recording choral compositions at Studio West, S.D.
2025—Recording choral compositions at Studio West, S.D.
BANDS AND MUSICIANS
2023-2025—Assembling new choral group in San Diego. Produced recordings, Justin Gray conducting.
2025-May 9th. Performance of the Mass by Musica Vitale at St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego.
LIFE
Recordings
Much international travel.