Budgie formed in 1967 in Cardiff, Wales, under the name "Hills Contemporary Grass. Their original lineup considered of Burke Shelly on vocals and bass, Tony Bourge on guitar and vocals, and Ray Phillips on drums. After performing several gigs in 1968 the band changed their name to Budgie the following year and recorded their first demo. The band originally formed under such names as Hills Contmporary Grass, and Six Ton Budgie. Burke Shelly has said that the bands name came from the fact that he ''loved the idea of playing noisy heavy rock, but calling ourselves something diametrically opposed to that."
Their debut album in strong blues-oriented hard rock lines was recorded at Rockford Studios with Black Sabbath producer Roger Bain and released in 1971, followed Squawk. In 1972, the third album, "Never Turn Your Back on a Friend" (1973) contained 'Breadfan"which was covered by Metallica in 1987, after covering another Budgie song "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" earlier in their career. Ray Phillips left the band before the fourth album "In For the Kill" was recorded and was replaced by Pete Boot.
In late 1974, the band were joined by drummer Steve Williams for the album "Bandoleer" for live shows promoting this album and the follow up ''If I Were Britannia Id' Waive the Rules", the band augmented by Welsh guitarist Myf Isaac for concert performances. Music from the 19798 LP Impeckable was featured in the 1979 film J-Men Forever (shown frequently on the USA network's Night Flight television series in the 80's) which is now a cult classic. Both Bourge and Isaac left mid
1978 and were replaced by ex-Trapeze guitarist Robret Kendrick and ex-Hawkwind guitarist Huw Lloyd Langdon. Langdon's was short lived as Kendrick convinced the band to fire him. In late 1978, having been dropped by A&M and with no new recording contract, this lineup floundered and after 12 months Kendrick was replacedby "Big" John Thomas in late '79. 1982 saw them signed to RCA for "Deliver Us From Evil", their final recording for a major label.
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