Really Free Band
Really Free Band (RFB) were a British Christian rock band from 1973 to 1990 founded and led by Cliff Bergdahl. The band originally played under the name Really Free and later Really Free Band, then abbreviated to RFB. The name is a reference to the New Testament bible verse John 8:36.[1]
Really Free Band toured in the UK, Europe and the US, and performed at the inaugural Greenbelt Festival in 1974.
Music
The overall continuity in musical direction was provided by Cliff Bergdahl (d. 29 December 2020), who had a university degree in music. Given the changes in membership over the years, the band's style tended to reflect a blend of his evolving personal preferences, the aspirations and abilities of the other musicians (who were encouraged to contribute their own material), and influences from contemporary 'chart' songs.
Inspired initially by the bright, jangling guitar-based sound of mid-1960s British beat, Really Free looked to incorporate elements of musical grit as well as a light touch of prog rock - all of this with a background influence of 1970s Americana that manifested more in the use of strong melody and harmony vocals than in the repertoire. There was some influence from reggae. In some ways the style was defined by what it was not: Bergdahl wanted to create an authentically British sound that could incorporate the excitement of rock music without the decadence of glam rock, the drug associations of psychedelic rock, the hedonism of disco, the oblivion of heavy metal or the nihilism of punk.
In a typical live concert setting, Really Free would deliver a mixed programme of mostly original, high-energy, guitar-based melodic rock songs, some current pop chart hits or rock 'n' roll standards, interspersed with a solo acoustic song and a more progressive, reflective instrumental work. There would sometimes be a drum solo included in the set. They aimed to play at least one song in three that the audience would know and like. Some songs had specifically religious gospel content, others provided social commentary and others were included simply for fun.
In the full-time period (1973-80), Really Free would compare themselves to Wishbone Ash or Thin Lizzy, both bands having a distinctive twin lead guitar sound.
Mission
Bergdahl was an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and had a missionary remit to work particularly among young people using music. He gained theological qualifications at London Bible College[2] which was an extra-mural college of the University of London. For many years he was a member of British Youth for Christ which provided a level of local oversight and authentication to enable working in cooperation with churches.
Bergdahl's personal theology set the tone for the group which was broadly in the Low Church Protestant Reformed tradition. The group members were variously enthusiastic or struggling believers, but generally without the benefit of formal theological education. They would often pray or read the Bible before concerts or in band meetings.
Really Free operated several levels of Christian mission:
- It was a collaborative working environment in which young men could grow musically and spiritually, bonding by participating in the excitement and practical difficulties of outreach work.
- It encouraged local churches to direct their attention to the world outside the Christian 'bubble' by providing a practical way to connect.
- It presented a direct Christian voice into audiences, mostly outside of a church context. “Who are the prophets of today?” was a question that Bergdahl challenged members with on more than one occasion, the implicit answer being - “the musicians”.
The band did not play worship songs for congregational participation because the typical performances were concert settings in schools and prisons. Nevertheless, some of the material (eg. “Thankyou Jesus”, “Reverence For The Lord”) was intentionally worshipful, providing an opportunity for spiritual reflection.
A photo in a London newspaper[which?] described the band's work.[3] Bergdahl understood that "you have to earn the right to be heard" and at some point in a full-evening concert, there would usually be a few minutes of personal Christian testimony from band members. Audience members were encouraged to meet the band after the show and discuss spiritual matters. There was also opportunity for people to follow-up via a postcard contact scheme that could direct them towards a local Christian church. In this scenario, the practical theology was operating in the expectation of the inform-challenge-commit type of evangelical conversion, which had been the personal experience elsewhere for at least some of the band members.
Bergdahl introduced the band to the concepts of gradual growth towards Christian commitment represented by the Engel scale, with necessary preliminary steps of a generalized awakening of spiritual dimension to life and a basic knowledge of Christ. The band was to focus on these ‘pre-evangelism’ stages with the intent that churches would undertake to encourage people on a long-term basis with the embrace of a Christian community that an itinerant rock band could not provide.
Influence
Really Free provided early experience within the music business for the band members and some went on to develop significant influence in the industry. Simon Law founded Plankton Records and identified his involvement in Really Free as part of the journey towards its creation in a 1996 interview in CrossRhythms magazine.[4]
Cliff Bergdahl died in December 2020 and Simon Law paid tribute to him on the Plankton Records web site.[5] An obituary for Bergdahl which described his work with The Really Free Band was published in the Staten Island Advance.[6]
The Thanksgiving service for the life of Cliff Bergdahl was held at All Souls, Langham Place on 23rd October 2021.[7] In the service three former Really Free members (Matt Brown, Alan White, and Valerio de Laurenzi) performed the song ‘Jesus our Love’[8] from the Really Free album ‘Never Surrender’.
Musicians
- Mick Almond (Bass) 1977–1978
- Steve Ayre (Drums) 1979–80
- Cliff Bergdahl (Guitar, harmonica, keyboards, vocals) 1973–1990
- Denis Blackham (Drums, vocals) 1975
- Jon Blake (Bass, guitar, vocals) 1976
- Tim Bliss (Bass, guitar, vocals) 1976
- Matt Brown (Bass, guitar, vocals) 1984–88
- Steve Cockburn (Guitar, vocals) 1973
- Gary Cunningham (Guitar, bass, vocals) 1973–1974, 1977–1980
- Nigel Gibbons (Bass, vocals) 1975
- Valerio de Laurenzi (Guitar, vocals) 1984–1990
- Pete 'Bill' Downs (Drums) 1977–78
- Gary Hitchens (Drums) 1976
- Simon Law (Guitar, bass, vocals) 1975
- Mark Millin (Drums, percussion, vocals) 1973–1974
- Andy Meek (Bass, guitar, vocals) 1979–1981
- Duncan Paulsen (Bass, vocals) 1988
- Dave Rix (Guitar, vocals) 1973–1974
- Bern Stiver (Bass, guitar) 1973
- Alan White (drums, vocals) 1984–1990
Supporting
- Simon Dennis (Guitar, bass, vocals) -1990
- Paul Simpson (Bass) 1973
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</timeline>
Discography
Singles (7-inch vinyl)
Sea Stone label
- Ethiopian Child (1975)
- New Day Dawning (1978)
Albums
Plankton label
- Reverence (EP, 1984)
- Jesus Our Love (EP, 1985)
- Never Surrender (LP, 1987)
Compilations
"Hangin'" was included in the 40th anniversary Plankton Records compilation album.[9]
Equipment
- Andy Meek - Hiwatt 100W bass valve head with 4x12 cabinet; Burns bass guitar, Guild B301 bass guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar.
- Cliff Bergdahl - Hiwatt 50W 2x12 valve combo amplifier and Selmer Twin amplifier; Yamaha B10AR organ, Yamaha EP30 electric keyboard, Hohner Pianette, Gem Instapiano; Davoli (rotating) speaker; Gibson ES-330 guitar, Gibson Silverburst Les Paul guitar, Burns Tri-Sonic guitar, over-sprayed silver, Ned Callan electric guitar, Fender Stratocaster guitar, Fender Telecaster guitar, Grimshaw electric guitar, Harmony Sovereign acoustic guitar; WEM (Watkins) Copycat echo, Schaller Roto-Sound, Coloursound Overdrive and Chorus pedals.
- Garry Cunningham - Hiwatt 50W 2x12 valve combo; Gibson SG guitar with Bigsby tailpiece, EKO acoustic guitar; WEM copycat echo, Coloursound Overdrive and Chorus pedals.
External links
Discography www.discogs.com
References
- ↑ "John 8:36". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ↑ "London School of Theology (formerly London Bible College)". Retrieved 2020-12-30. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Pupils' Free concert". The Ruislip and Northwood Gazette. 14 February 1980. p. 1. OCLC 500151685. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Plankton Records: The London-based record company". www.crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
- ↑ "Cliff Bergdahl (1946 – 2020). Remembering a friend – Plankton Records". planktonrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
- ↑ "Cliff Bergdahl Obituary (2021) - Staten Island Advance". obits.silive.com. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=XIesqRPGXew&fbclid=IwAR003rQp48tQhbQ64qknAC6XwaHMGVo82TOPqj3e36gkBxdB2f-2TcCs6ck
- ↑ https://jonbergdahl.bandcamp.com/track/jesus-our-love
- ↑ "Various Artists – Plankton. b. 6th May 1978 FORTY YEARS 1978 – 2018 (2CD SLIPCASE SET) – Plankton Records". planktonrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
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