Help Yourself

Biography

Formed in 1969 in London, England, founder members Malcolm Morley (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Dave Charles (drums, vocals) met in an embryonic version of Sam Apple Pie. Richard Treece (guitar, vocals) and Ken Whaley (bass) completed the original Help Yourself line-up which made its recording debut in 1971. This promising debut was succeeded by Strange Affair on which the band’s penchant for extended improvisation, reminiscent of America’s classic west coast tradition, flourished more freely, notably with ‘American Woman’. Paul Burton had replaced Whaley for this release, the latter having joined Ducks Deluxe, and this line-up was augmented by guitarists Ernie Graham (ex-Eire Apparent) and Jo Jo Glemser. A third Help Yourself album, Beware The Shadow, consolidated their impressive style, highlighted by the epic ‘Reaffirmation’, before the band’s prodigal bass player rejoined his colleagues for the aptly titled The Return Of Ken...

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