Their style was originally loud pop-art, similar to The Kinks and The Who, but developed into a more typically mid-60s psychedelic/prog sound. The most popular Creation tune up to this day remains probably "Painter Man", which made the U.K. Top 40 late 1966 and hit even #8 in the German charts in April 1967. The song also featured, in the second half, lead guitarist Phillips's trademark of playing his instrument with a violin bow.
At the end of 1966, Bob Garner left and was replaced by Kim Gardner and, in March 1968, Pickett left and was replaced by Ron Wood (both of these new members had been in The Birds), but Pickett soon returned, replacing both Phillips and Gardner.
Only The Who were creating such venomous guitar pop at this time and (it is reputed) that Pete Townshend of The Who was so impressed with the innovate guitar style of Eddie Phillips he asked him to join the Who as a second guitarist but he turned the Who down (!) presumably because he felt confident and did not want to play second fiddle.
Shortly afterwards, however, The Creation disbanded; Pickett continued as songwriter for their American producer, Shel Talmy, and also became American road manager for Led Zeppelin; Ron Wood joined The Faces; Gardner co-formed Ashton, Gardner & Dyke and was later a member of Badger; Jones became a cabaret singer. Pickett and Phillips later wrote the single "Teacher Teacher" for Rockpile.
The Creation reformed in the mid 1980s with Phillips, Pickett, Dalton, and Mick Avory (drums, ex-Kinks). Pickett died of a heart attack on January 10, 1997. The reformed band continued to tour, with various lineup changes. They performed in the United States for the first time at the final edition of Cavestomp in November, 2001.
The famous independent record label Creation Records was named after them. The founder of Creation Records, Alan McGee, also had a band named Biff Bang Pow!, named after one of their songs.
The 1990s band Ride then recorded the song "How Does It Feel to Feel?" on their album, Carnival of Light. Some years earlier The Godfathers, another UK alternative rock band of the time, had also included a cover of the song on their 1991 album Unreal world, so that the tune "How Does It Feel to Feel?" became quite popular in the 1990s in the UK indie scene.
In 2004, Cherry Red Records released Psychedelic Rose, made up of nine songs from the group's abandoned 1987/88 sessions including the tracks previously issued on the 1987 single, augmented by two spoken-word recollections of The Creation's history; the few reviews of the album were almost uniformly negative.
Garner and Jones both exited the band sometime in the early 2000s; Garner died on July 16, 2016. The only original member left in the current line-up is Phillips. The most recent Creation touring line-up consists of Eddie Phillips (lead guitar, vocals), Simon Tourle (lead vocals), Tony Barber (bass), and Kevin Mann (drums).
Members
Present members
Eddie Phillips (born Edwin Michael Phillips, 15 August 1942, Leytonstone, east London) β lead guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals (May 1966βNovember 1967, mid-1980s-present)
Tony Barber β bass guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals (early 2000s-present)
Kevin Mann β drums (early 2000s-present)
Simon Tourle β lead vocals (early 2000s-present)
Earlier members
Bob Garner (born Robert Anthony Garner, 15 May 1946, Warrington, Lancashire; died 16 July 2016) β bass guitar, backing vocals (May 1966-February 1967, 1994-January 1997); lead vocals (February 1967βFebruary 1968, January 1997-early 2000s)
Kenny Pickett (born Kenneth George Pickett, 3 September 1942, Ware, Hertfordshire; died 10 January 1997) β lead vocals (May 1966βFebruary 1967, AprilβJune 1968, mid-1980sβ1997)
Jack Jones (born Jack Llewleyn Jones, 8 November 1944, Northampton, Northamptonshire) β drums, backing vocals (MayβNovember 1966, December 1966βJune 1968, 1994-early 2000s)
Dave Preston β drums (NovemberβDecember 1966)
Kim Gardner β bass, backing vocals (February 1967βJune 1968; died 2001)
Tony Ollard β lead guitar, backing vocals (November 1967βFebruary 1968)
Ronnie Wood β lead guitar (AprilβJune 1968)
John Dalton β bass guitar (mid-1980sβ1994)
Mick Avory β drums (mid-1980sβ1994)
There is another band with the same name:
2. There was a U.S 1960s garage rock band also called The Creation
Biff Bang Pow
The Creation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I always meant to ask you about the war
And what you saw across a bridge too far
Did it leave a scar
Or how you navigated wings of fire and steel
Up where heaven had no more secrets to conceal
And still you found the ground beneath your wheels
How did it feel
To dust be returning from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me world without end
I meant to ask you how when everything seemed lost
And your fate was in a game of dice they tossed
There was still that line that you would never cross
At any cost
I meant to ask you how you lived what you believed
With nothing but your heart up your sleeve
And if you ever really were deceived
By the likes of me
Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me world without end
Gone now is the day and gone the sun
There is peace tonight all over Arlington
But the songs of my life will still be sung
By the light of the moon you hung
I meant to ask you how to plow that field
I meant to bring you water from the well
And be the one beside you when you fell
Could you tell
Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me world without end
The lyrics of The Creation's song "Biff Bang Pow" are a reflection on missed opportunities and unasked questions for a loved one. The singer regrets not asking about the car, the war, the bravery, the lines they wouldnβt cross, the beliefs they held, and more. The song implies that the loved one has now passed away, as the lyrics talk about "the songs of my life will still be sung" and "there is peace tonight all over Arlington," which is a reference to Arlington National Cemetery. The song ends on a melancholic note with the singer longing to be with the loved one in their final moments.
The lyrics convey emotions of regret, longing, and a sense of loss, and make us think about the missed opportunities in our own lives. Itβs a reminder of the importance of communication, love, and appreciation for the people in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I meant to ask you how to fix that car
I wanted to learn from you, to gain knowledge and skill. To show me how to take care of things with care.
I always meant to ask you about the war
I wanted to understand, to know what you went through during those times of struggle and strife.
And what you saw across a bridge too far
I wanted to know about your experiences, the things you witnessed and endured.
Did it leave a scar
I wondered if those experiences had a lasting impact on you, if the pain and the memories stuck with you.
Or how you navigated wings of fire and steel
I marveled at your skill and bravery, how you were able to tame the wild and unpredictable machines that carry us through the sky.
Up where heaven had no more secrets to conceal
I imagined the beauty and vastness of the skies you have seen, and how they must have filled you with wonder and awe.
And still you found the ground beneath your wheels
I was fascinated by your ability to remain grounded and humble despite your amazing experiences.
How did it feel
I longed to understand the emotions you must have felt, the highs and lows of such amazing accomplishments.
Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
Reflect on life, and the fleeting nature of existence.
To dust be returning from dust we begin
Everything that lives must eventually die, and all things return to the earth.
Bang the drum slowly I'll speak of things holy
I will speak of the things that are sacred and important to me.
Above and below me world without end
The things that matter to me are eternal and will never cease.
I meant to ask you how when everything seemed lost
I wanted to understand how you managed to keep going even in the toughest of times.
And your fate was in a game of dice they tossed
I wanted to know how you faced challenges that were beyond your control, how you dealt with the unpredictability of life.
There was still that line that you would never cross
I admired your principles and values, the line that you would never compromise regardless of the circumstances.
At any cost
Even if it meant sacrificing something important or valuable.
I meant to ask you how you lived what you believed
I was curious about how you managed to stay true to your principles and beliefs no matter what.
With nothing but your heart up your sleeve
I was amazed at how you could be so open and vulnerable, putting your whole self into everything you did.
And if you ever really were deceived
I wondered if you ever were let down or disappointed by those around you, if you ever lost faith in people.
By the likes of me
Perhaps even by people like me.
Gone now is the day and gone the sun
The day has ended, and the sun has set.
There is peace tonight all over Arlington
At this moment, there is tranquility and calm throughout the land.
But the songs of my life will still be sung
My experiences and memories will live on, even when I am gone.
By the light of the moon you hung
In the gentle glow of the moon, I will cherish and honor my memories.
I meant to ask you how to plow that field
I wanted to learn how to work the land, to take care of the earth and sustain myself.
I meant to bring you water from the well
In the same way, I wanted to bring you sustenance and help you in your work.
And be the one beside you when you fell
At your lowest moments, I wanted to be there to lend a hand and support you.
Could you tell
Would you have trusted me enough to tell me everything?
Contributed by Colton O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@modquadrophenia1964
In sound, These are the mod Masters: The Who (Including The High Numbers) The Kinks The Small Faces The Creation The big 4 of the 60's mod movement.
@stephenpower7285
The Action?
@petersitzwohl9016
you are so right
@mjt11860
thanx 4 the education.
@samwilkie150
Pretty things
@davem4193
Good list, don't forget The Pretty Things, The Sorrows & The Action.
@morganfisherart
Another Creation classic! Wish the voices were a bit louder. Sounds like Nicky Hopkins on piano.
@mickunsted9342
I'd not come across this band before. I found this song when they used this track as backing music for an ad for Thompson Directories.
@billgilliland9746
Southern Culture on the Skids did a nice version of this.
@Mojodrwumungojerry
+Bill Gilliland Yes they did. I just listened to it 10 minutes ago.