Representative Albums: "Bongos over Balham," "I'll Be Home," "Kings of the Robot Rhythm"
Representative Songs: "Friday Song," "Desert Island Woman," "Breathe a Little"
Biography
Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers were one of the main British pub rock groups of the early '70s, playing a laid-back yet rocking mixture of rock & roll, R&B, country, and folk. The band has its origins in a folk-rock duo formed by ex-Junior's Blues Band members Martin Stone (vocals, guitar, mandolin) and Phil "Snakefinger" Lithman (vocals, guitar, piano, lap steel, fiddle). Lithman moved to San Francisco in the late '60s, leaving Stone to play with Savoy Brown and Mighty Baby. The duo reunited in the early '70s, recording Kings of Robot Rhythm with vocalist Jo-Ann Kelly and various members of Brinsley Schwarz. Kings was released in 1972; that same year, the duo expanded to a band, adding Paul "Dice Man" Bailey (guitar, banjo, saxophone), Paul Riley (bass), and drummer Pete Thomas. During the next two years, Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers became a popular live act in Britain. The full band released Bongos Over Balham in 1974, yet the record sold poorly and the band split in February 1975. Thomas became the drummer for Elvis Costello's backing band, the Attractions, Riley played with Graham Parker, Bailey formed Bontemps Roulez, and Stone played with the Pink Fairies before quitting the music business. Lithman moved back to San Francisco where he began to work with his former associates, the Residents, under the name Snakefinger. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers were one of the main British Pub Rock groups of the early '70s playing a laid-back mixture of rock & roll, R&B, country, and folk. Managed by Jake Riviera (formerly Andrew Jakeman), they reached their peak as part of the infamous "Naughty Rhythms Tour" of 1975, along with other stalwarts of the same scene, Dr. Feelgood and Kokomo, each band alternately headlining on different dates.
The band has its origins in a folk-rock duo formed by ex-Junior's Blues Band members Martin Stone and Philip C. Lithman a/k/a Snakefinger. Lithman moved to San Francisco in the late '60s, leaving Stone to play with Savoy Brown and Mighty Baby. The duo reunited in the early '70s, recording Kings of the Robot Rhythm with vocalist Jo Ann Kelly and various members of Brinsley Schwarz. The album was released in 1972; the same year, the duo expanded, adding Paul "Dice Man" Bailey, Paul Riley, and Pete Thomas to the line-up.
During the next two years, Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers became a popular live act in Britain, and recorded two John Peel Sessions for BBC radio, on 9 April 1973 and 25 July 1974. In 1974, they released their final album, Bongos Over Balham, which sold poorly; the band split in 1975.
After the band's breakup, Pete Thomas became the drummer for Elvis Costello's backing band, The Attractions, Paul Riley played with Graham Parker, Paul Bailey formed Bontemps Roulez, and Martin Stone played with the Pink Fairies before quitting the music business. Phil Lithman moved back to San Francisco where he began to work with his former associates, The Residents, under the name Snakefinger.
