The Pretty Things

  • London, England
    hometown
  • Alternative
    genre
  • 1963
    started
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About The Pretty Things


Of all the original British Invasion groups, perhaps none were as underappreciated in the United States as the Pretty Things. Featuring the hoarse vocals of Mick Jagger-lookalike Phil May and the stinging leads of guitarist Dick Taylor (who actually played in early versions of the Rolling Stones with Jagger and Keith Richards), the Pretties recorded a clutch of raunchy R&B rockers in the mid-'60s that offered a punkier, rawer version of the early Stones sound.

Their first two albums, 1965's The Pretty Things and the same year's Get the Picture, as well as a brace of fine major and minor British hits (of which "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Honey I Need" were the biggest), featured first-rate original material and covers, and remain the group's most exciting and influential recordings. Unfortunately, the band remained virtually unknown to American audiences, most of whom would first hear "Don't Bring Me Down" on David Bowie's Pin Ups album (which also included a version of the Pretties' "Rosalyn").

After their initial run of success, the group took a sharp left turn into psychedelia with the orchestrated album Emotions (1967), impressive singles that owed more to Pink Floyd than Bo Diddley, and, most significantly, S.F. Sorrow (1968). The first rock opera, S.F. Sorrow was a major influence on Pete Townshend, who released his much more successful opera, Tommy, with the Who the following year.

Founding member Taylor left shortly after S.F. Sorrow, and the group continued to record progressive rock and hard rock with less impressive results through the mid-'70s, although Parachute (1970) was named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone. The group reunited sporadically for occasional gigs and recordings in their early R&B vein before officially re-forming to release Rage...Before Beauty in 1999 and Balboa Island eight years later. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi

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Photos

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  • Rhino
    The Pretty Things
    Rhino

News

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  • The Pretty Things
    The Battle For Quicksilver: 7 More Heroes With Complicated Film Rights
    Splash Page
    May 24, 2013
    by Brett White Fans have been waiting for something like the Battle for Quicksilver to happen, ever since it was made clear that the film rights f...
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  • The Pretty Things
    The Daily Geek: Quicksilver Is Everywhere, Cumberbatch Showering Into Darkness, And More
    MTV Geek
    May 24, 2013
    Welcome to MTV Geek's daily round-up of all things GEEK from the weird, wild world of the web! Got a cool link? Share it with us on Twitter at twitte...
    Read More
  • The Pretty Things
    5 Things Guys Don't Consider To Be Cheating...But Girls Might
    clutch.mtv.com
    May 22, 2013
    Credit: Getty Images On last night's "Girl Code" ( watch full episode here ), the gals explained that almost anything can qualify as cheating --...
    Read More
  • The Pretty Things
    New Song: Pharrell Williams, 'Happy'
    MTV Buzzworthy
    May 22, 2013
    Pharrell Williams sounds pretty upbeat on his new song, "Happy," from the "Despicable Me 2" soundtrack. Pharrell Williams has plenty to smile a...
    Read More
  • The Pretty Things
    'Arrow': 5 Villains We Want To See In Season 2
    Splash Page
    May 22, 2013
    by Brett White With " Arrow " executive producer Marc Guggenheim promising to double up the evil in the show's second season, fan speculation is...
    Read More
  • The Pretty Things
    Microsoft Revealed A New Set-Top Box That May Also Play Games
    Multiplayer Blog
    May 22, 2013
      It finally happened. After all of the rumors, speculation, hype and nonsense, Microsoft has revealed the next-generation Xbox console, strangely...
    Read More
  • The Pretty Things
    5 Things To Do While Your Girlfriend Has A Girls' Night Out
    clutch.mtv.com
    May 22, 2013
    Credit: Joshua Hodge Photography/Getty Images Sometimes your girlfriend has plans and you don't. (Let's be honest, "sometimes" is "most of the time...
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  • The Pretty Things
    Solange Schools Us (Twice!) On Prints-On-Prints Dressing
    MTV Style
    May 22, 2013
    2 events, 2 different prints-on-prints outfits. Because Solange is awesome like that. Photo: Getty Images Solange's trademark patterned style ...
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  • The Pretty Things
    'Man Of Steel' Trailer: Zod Gives Earth 24 Hour Warning
    Splash Page
    May 22, 2013
    by Brett White Listen, we're still reeling from the awesomeness of the last " Man of Steel " trailer . Now there's another one, one that somehow ...
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  • The Pretty Things
    Boyd Holbrook Goes 'Behind The Candelabra' As Hump Day Hottie
    Hollywood Crush
    May 22, 2013
    Oh, Boyd Holbrook. You are one guy who is easy on the eyes. And with the premiere of "Behind The Candelabra" slated for this weekend, you've been adde...
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Tour Dates

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  • May 30 Thursday
    Winterthur, Switzerland Gaswerk
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  • May 31 Friday
    Rubigen, Switzerland Mühle Hunziken
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  • Jun 2 Sunday
    Augsburg, Germany Spectrum Club
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  • Jun 22 Saturday
    Hamburg, Germany Grüner Jager
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  • Aug 10 Saturday
    London, UK The Borderline
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  • Sep 20 Friday
    Bristol, UK The Fleece
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Discography

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  • Balboa Island (2007)
    The Pretty Things
    Balboa Island (2007)
    ZOHO Roots
  • Rage...Before Beauty (1999)
    The Pretty Things
    Rage...Before Beauty (1999)
    Madfish
  • Resurrection (1999)
    The Pretty Things
    Resurrection (1999)
    Snapper
  • Unrepentant (1995)
    The Pretty Things
    Unrepentant (1995)
    Fragile
  • Wine, Women & Whiskey: More Chicago Blues & Rock Sessions (1994)
    The Pretty Things
    Wine, Women & Whiskey: More Chicago Blues & Rock Sessions (1994)
    Demon Records - (import)
  • Live at Heartbreak Hotel (1984)
    The Pretty Things
    Live at Heartbreak Hotel (1984)
    Big Beat Records
  • Cross Talk (1980)
    The Pretty Things
    Cross Talk (1980)
    Original Masters/Snapper Music
  • The Return of the Electric Banana (1979)
    The Pretty Things
    The Return of the Electric Banana (1979)
    De Wolfe
  • Savage Eye (1975)
    The Pretty Things
    Savage Eye (1975)
    Original Masters/Snapper Music
  • Silk Torpedo (1974)
    The Pretty Things
    Silk Torpedo (1974)
    Original Masters/Snapper Music
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