Born in Hamilton Ontario, Richard Newell's musical career began in the early 60's as a teenager playing the harmonica in teen bands, theBarons in 1961 (later renamed Son Richard and the Chessmen) and then with the blues styled Mid- Knights in the mid 60's. He became noticed while playing with Ronnie Hawkins as one of the Hawks, who nicknamed him King Biscuit Boy. After playing with Hawkins for two years, he left to go it alone but joined Crowbar band made up of ex Hawks) and recorded his debut album entitled Official Music (as King Biscuit Boy & Crowbar) in 1970. Official Music was released on the Daffodil Records label in Canada and Paramount in the U.S.A. to critical acclaim . Of the eleven songs on the album, eight are standard blues covers of songs by such greats as Willie Dixon, Bill Broonzy, Otis Redding,Sonny Boy Williamson, given a unique treatment by Newells' harmonica playing. There are also original compositions written by Newell and performed in a classic blues style. Official Music charted in both the US and Canada and a single taken from the album,"Corinna Corrina" was a minor hit in Canada for King Biscuit Boy and Crowbar in 1970. After the release of Official Music, King Biscuit Boy and Crowbar parted ways. This budget priced reissue by Unidisc does not contain any bonus tracks but faithfully reproduces the original album graphics and liner notes. ~ Keith Pettipas, All Music Guide
Moe Koffman (Horn), Crowbar (Main Performer), Doug Riley (Organ), Doug Riley (Piano), Doug Riley (Keyboards), King Biscuit Boy (Harmonica), King Biscuit Boy (Main Performer), Larry Atamanuik (Drums), Richard Bell (Piano), Richard Bell (Keyboards), Sonnie Bernardi (Drums), Terry Brown (Engineer), Josef Chirowski (Flute), Josef Chirowski (Percussion), Josef Chirowski (Keyboards), John Gibbard (Guitar), John Gibbard (Vocals), Roland Greenway (Bass), Roland Greenway (Vocals), Kelly Jay (Keyboards), Kelly Jay (Vocals), Steve Kennedy (Horn), Rheal Lanthier (Guitar), Rheal Lanthier (Vocals), Gregg Mudri (Horn), Richard Newell (Guitar), Richard Newell (Harmonica), Richard Newell (Vocals), Richard Newell (Slide Guitar), Holger Petersen (Reissue Producer), Paul Weldon (Design), Paul Weldon (Packaging), Francis Davis (Reissue Consultant), Ritchie Yorke (Liner Notes), Ritchie Yorke (Author), Crowbar (Main Performer), Kelly J. (Percussion), Kelly J. (Piano), John R. (Percussion), Rick Bell (Piano), Annette Yorke (Photography), Rob Storeshaw (Reissue Design), Paul Reagin (Tape Operator), Francis "Frank" Davies (Producer), Greg Mudry (Horn)
