Due to the stunning successes of their live shows, which combined lights and special effects with psychedelic images and lengthy musical improvisations in a manner that was previously unheard of (in England, anyway), the band found itself in the middle of a bidding war, only to be signed to EMI.

This meant that they would be working in the same studio as the Beatles (in an adjacent room), recording their debut album while their labelmates were putting the final touches on an album that would soon be titled “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. They even shared Norman Smith as their producer/engineer. It was a rather conspicuous and auspicious start for the band.

Featured Tracks 

Arnold Layne

Candy and a Currant Bun

See Emily Play

Scarecrow

Astronomy Domine

Lucifer Sam

Flaming

The Gnome

Chapter 24

Bike