Three Man Army - 1970 / 1975

Formed by Adrian and Paul Gurvitz, formerly of GUN, following the bands demise. Adrian played with Buddy Miles, and Paul played with Parish & Gurvitz, then reunited as Three Man Army. Their debut album: A Third of a Lifetime featured several drummers, including Miles, Carmine Appice of Vanilla Fudge, and Mike Kellie of Spooky Tooth.

Tony Newman, who had previously played with Sounds Incorporated and Rod Stewart, joined for the groups next two albums, and a fourth album that was planned but never recorded. Newman then went to play with David Bowie, and the Gurvits teamed up with Ginger Baker as the Gurvitz Baker Army.

After Gun had run out of ammunition, the brothers took time out in America where Adrian hooked up with Miles and  Paul with former band mate Brian Morris, who had changed his name to Brian Parrish. They recorded the album "Parrish & Gurvitz" and toured the U.S. in support of it. The brothers had only returned to the U.K in the early 70's when they teamed up to write the debut Three Man Army album. It was released via Pegasus Records in 1971.






The band's second album "Mahesha", came out on Warner Brothers' Reprise in 1971, with the addition of Newman (May Blitz, Boxer, Rod Stewart) who had made a name for himself as a sought after session man who could be heard on many of the hit singles of the time (Jeff Beck's "Beck'ola," Bowie's "David Live", "You Shook Me", "Shapes of Things" among many others). Newman became a pemanent member of the Army, allowing them to tour, and promote "Mahesha" in the U.S. The first tour was with the Doobie Brothers, and the second was with the Beach Boys. Not necessarily acts that they had much in common with.

 A year later saw the band recording their third album "Two", which was a lot heavier than the previous two, and what's title caused some confusion, but it was their second album for Warner Brothers, but perhaps it could be because this was the second album to feature the lineup of Gurvitz, Gurvitz, and Newman. This, would explain why the next album was titled "Three."

The band had toyed with the idea of doing a rock opera (working title: "Three Days to Go") and got as far as recording a few demos for it. It was from these sessions 9 tracks are featured on "Three Man Army Three", a collection of previously unreleased materials, but was recorded with exceptional sound quality, which features drummer Lee Baxter Hays, and old drum tech that they had sit in just for kicks.

After this final phaze of the band, The Gurvtz's went on to record three more albums with Ginger Baker on drums. Never the less, keeping wit their tradition of utilizing exceptional drummers at their every turn. A personal favorite is "Polecat Woman" from the album "TWO". Perfect blend of Led Zeppelin and Rose Tattoo. Enjoy!