Band leader Harvey was born in Glasgow, Scotland 1935. During the fifties he played in many different Jazz bands playing Dixieland Jazz and later skiffle.
In 1959 he formed the Alex Harvey Soul Band playing Blues and rock n Roll music. Although a successful stint in Hamburg completed, Harvey found it difficult finding recognition with the ‘Soul Band’ and through the second half of the sixties Alex with his brother Les Harvey moved from one group to another until 1969 when he took up as a resident musician in the stage show of ‘Hair’.
In 1972 Alex joined forces with Scottish up and coming rockers ‘Tear Gas’. The band with Alex at the helm changed names to “The Sensational Alex Harvey Band”. The Sensational Alex Harvey Shows were noted for their theatrical content and idiosyncratic style of delivery. The music influences varied greatly. From blues to music hall stage shows.
After years of a punishing stage show and never ending Gig schedules, Alex announced in 1977 that due to back problems he was to retire from the music business.
Following a rare come back tour in Europe Alex died of a heart attack in 1982.
In 1977 after the Band and Alex Harvey parted company with Alex recording the solo Album ‘Loch Ness Monster’ (NB: Not a music album, but a recorded documentary about the fabled monster !), while the band without Alex, recorded ‘Four Play’. Alex and the band came together again in 1978 for a final album 'Rock Drill'. The Band and Alex then parted company again. Alex put together a new band in 1979 to record the album ‘The Mafia Stole My Guitar’. In 1983 Alex's final recording ‘Soldier On The Wall’ (comprised mainly of recordings made pre-SAHB), was posthumously issued. The Band having separated and playing in different Bands re-united in 2004 for a final tour with spot. The band released a live recording 'Zalvation'. Through 2006 the band has continued to play live in Britain with some new dates for 2007. 2006 band members are Max Maxwell filling the vocal spot with original members Zal Cleminson; Guitar, Chris Glen; Bass, Hugh McKenna; Keyboards, and Ted McKenna; Drums
Alex Harvey and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band releases include
• 1972 Framed
• 1973 Next
• 1974 The Impossible Dream
• 1975 Tomorrow Belongs To Me
• 1976 Penthouse Tapes
• 1976 SAHB Stories
• 1978 Rock Drill
Alex Harvey Solo Releases include
• 1977 Alex Harvey Presents The Loch Ness Monster
• 1979 The Mafia Stole My Guitar
• 1983 Soldier On The Wall
Sensational Alex Harvey Band (without Alex Harvey) Include
• 1977 Four play
. 1993 Live in Glasgow (Stevie Doherty vocals)
• 2005 Zalvation
Boston Tea Party
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you going to the Boston Tea Party?
Redcoats in the village
There's fighting in the streets
The Indians and the mountain men, well
They are talking when they meet
The king has said he's gonna put a tax on tea
Chorus
Fire in the mountains, flames upon the heath
And the president spits out the news
He's biting on wooden teeth
The children of the colonies
Got a different tale to tell
I'm going down to the city
Tell my folks I'm doing well
Chorus
Bringing back the buffalo to the long prairie
Bringing back the fishes swimming in the sea
The children of the colonies
Got a different tale to tell
I'm going down to the city
Tell my folks I'm doing well
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's song "Boston Tea Party" describes the American Revolution from the perspective of the colonists. In the first verse, the lyrics ask if the listener will attend the "Boston Tea Party", a significant event in the lead-up to the Revolution where colonists dumped tea from British ships into Boston Harbor to protest the tax on tea imposed by the King. The second verse describes the conflict between the Redcoats (British soldiers) and the colonists, including the Native Americans and the mountain men, who are all opposed to the British rule. The lyrics also point out that the King's tax on tea led to Americans turning to coffee instead.
In the chorus, the lyrics speak about the chaos and turmoil of the Revolution, with "fire in the mountains" and "flames upon the heath" representing the violence and destruction that occurred during the war. The reference to the President biting on wooden teeth is a nod to George Washington, who had wooden dentures. The last verse speaks about bringing back the buffalo to the prairies and the fish to the sea, symbolizing the return of nature and freedom to the land after the end of the Revolution. The children of the colonies have a different tale to tell, one of independence and strength.
Overall, "Boston Tea Party" is a patriotic and rebellious song that celebrates the American Revolution and the fight for freedom from British rule.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you going to the party?
Do you plan to attend the Boston Tea Party?
Redcoats in the village
British soldiers are present in the town
There's fighting in the streets
There is conflict and violence happening outdoors
The Indians and the mountain men, well
Native Americans and frontiersmen, indeed
They are talking when they meet
When they come across each other, they converse
The king has said he's gonna put a tax on tea
The monarch has decreed a duty on tea
And that's the reason you all Americans drink coffee
This is why American citizens consume coffee instead
Fire in the mountains, flames upon the heath
The mountains are ablaze, and the moorland is burning
And the president spits out the news
The commander-in-chief furiously communicates the information
He's biting on wooden teeth
He is clenching his teeth made of wood (referring to George Washington)
The children of the colonies
The young individuals residing in the colonies
Got a different tale to tell
They have a unique story to recount
I'm going down to the city
I will be journeying to the urban center
Tell my folks I'm doing well
Inform my relatives that I am doing fine
Bringing back the buffalo to the long prairie
Returning the bison to the vast grasslands
Bringing back the fishes swimming in the sea
Revitalizing the marine wildlife
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEX HARVEY, HUGH MCKENNA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JPMulheron
I picked this as the entrance song to my dads funeral a few years back. He was such a big Fan of TSAHB and the man himself. I’m so glad that his fantastic taste in music rubbed off on me.
@JF-kv1gm
What a beautiful tribute.
@raycharette2505
.8 moo
@willgillies5670
so am i
@SAHB
Well done 👍
@andym28
If you come to Glasgow they will by you a few whiskys that's for sure this band are loved so deeply there.
@andyrichards9169
The 70s. Possibly the best decade to listen to music. Great era.
@rnstoo1
Rrrrred coats in the village. As a Glasgow man I love to hear him pronounce the rolled "R"s
@TheSupersparks123
i was 26 when this was in the charts . im 62 now and it still sounds great............ brilliant
@thekitowl
Are you still with us John ?