Musician. In 1961, Alexis Korner founded the band known as Blues Incorporated with the harmonica player, Cyril Davies, who died in 1964. This continued until the late sixties. The membership was constantly changing ; but, at various times, it included : Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart and Charlie Watts, later to be in the Rolling Stones ; Graham Bond (q.v.) and the future members of his Organisation, namely, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Dick Heckstall-Smith and John McLaughlin ; and the singers Eric Burdon, Paul Jones and John Baldry. In 1969, Alexis and his daughter Sappho formed another band, New Church, which played at the Hyde Park concert in memory of Brian Jones. This was succeeded by yet another band, CCS (Collective Consciousness Society) which had three big hit singles, one of which, an adaptation of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," is the theme music to B.B.C Television's "Top of the Pops." Throughout his musical career, Alexis Korner was greatly in demand as a broadcaster and for doing voice-overs for advertisements. He died on the first day of 1984 at the Westminster Hospital, the causes of death being given as brain tumour, lung cancer and infection. He had been a heavy smoker, both of tobacco and marijuana. He was cremated and the ashes were sprinkled on the grounds of the converted chapel where he had lived in Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales. In 2024, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the Musical Influence category.
Musician. In 1961, Alexis Korner founded the band known as Blues Incorporated with the harmonica player, Cyril Davies, who died in 1964. This continued until the late sixties. The membership was constantly changing ; but, at various times, it included : Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart and Charlie Watts, later to be in the Rolling Stones ; Graham Bond (q.v.) and the future members of his Organisation, namely, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Dick Heckstall-Smith and John McLaughlin ; and the singers Eric Burdon, Paul Jones and John Baldry. In 1969, Alexis and his daughter Sappho formed another band, New Church, which played at the Hyde Park concert in memory of Brian Jones. This was succeeded by yet another band, CCS (Collective Consciousness Society) which had three big hit singles, one of which, an adaptation of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," is the theme music to B.B.C Television's "Top of the Pops." Throughout his musical career, Alexis Korner was greatly in demand as a broadcaster and for doing voice-overs for advertisements. He died on the first day of 1984 at the Westminster Hospital, the causes of death being given as brain tumour, lung cancer and infection. He had been a heavy smoker, both of tobacco and marijuana. He was cremated and the ashes were sprinkled on the grounds of the converted chapel where he had lived in Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales. In 2024, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the Musical Influence category.
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
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