Born on 4 July 1948, Jeremy Spencer began piano lessons at age nine and switched to guitar at 15. While forming his own band, the Levi Set, in his home town of Lichfield, Staffordshire, he discovered Elmore James and emulated his style. His slide work and pounding voice caught the attention of record producer, Mike Vernon, who then convinced Peter Green to check out the pint-sized dynamo.
Alongside Peter’s B. B. King-influenced style, Jeremy’s contribution to the blues-based Fleetwood Mac consisted of singing and playing slide guitar in the manner of Elmore James, along with performing tunes by 50’s performers such as Elvis and Buddy Holly. The band’s unique sound of driving blues contributed to Fleetwood Mac’s international success.
Jeremy recorded a solo album, simply titled, Jeremy Spencer, released in 1970. Besides one serious blues number, he light-heartedly covered rockabilly, surf and 50’s ballads. Becoming disheartened with his lack of inspiration, Jeremy departed Fleetwood Mac in 1971 to pursue a spiritual path; he joined a Christian commune.
In 1972, he released Jeremy Spencer and the Children and Flee in 1979. Although he continued to avidly compose and occasionally perform, it would not be until 2005 that he would return to a commercial studio to record an unplugged CD and DVD called Jeremy Spencer in Session with an accomplished accompanying guitarist, Dave Briggs. A few months later, he recorded the album Precious Little in Norway with seasoned bluesmen, the Trond Ytterbo band. In 2012, Jeremy released Bend in the Road and two years later, Coventry Blue. On both albums, he collaborated with Detroit team of Brett Lucas and his band ‘Saint Cecilia’.
Referring to Jeremy’s live performances, Art Tipaldi, former editor for Blues Revue and Blues Wax, said, “I’ve seen Jeremy Spencer perform four shows at the Notodden Blues Festival and I can tell you that each show was better than the previous. Jeremy has lost none of the fire from the Fleetwood Mac days. His slide guitar still sends chills. Every note I’ve heard Jeremy play showcases his great commitment to the blues. I’ve seen him ignite the stage with a mixture of classic Chicago blues and smart contemporary songs.”
In 1998, along with the founding and present members of Fleetwood Mac, Jeremy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Due to his commitment to charity concerts in India at that time, he missed the induction ceremony held in the USA.
Jeremy’s mastery of slide has improved with age and he is especially encouraged that his present musical style is appealing to many of the younger generation who know little or nothing of his association with Fleetwood Mac. Besides his musical endeavours, Jeremy’s artistic illustrations and creative writing further document inspirational forces at work. He is currently working in his home studio, developing a vast number of tracks garnered from his 50-odd years of musical inspiration; some of which can be heard in his latest offering, Homebrewed Blues.
There is an overall slightly bluesier tone to this collection. Fellow guitarists especially, will notice my occasional dabble with finger style lead on a couple of tracks: 'Elusive Fragrance' and 'Fair Warning' in particular. Read More
Here is an instrumental with appropriate 'Russian vibe' and accompanying artwork I based on John Lavery's painting of Anna Pavlova, the prima ballerina of the late 19th and early 20th century. Read More
The overall 'tone' of Melancholy Moon is, as its title suggests, melancholy, but I hope that the music, and the accompanying single imparts some needed comfort, empathy and peace. Read More
Tears in the Glen is the latest single from Jeremy Spencer. Read More
The Maid of Donadee is an Irish flavoured track along with the accompanying picture, adapted from Augustus Burke's painting of a Connemara girl. Read More
For now, I will be mostly posting singles of my music, hopefully, to ensure each 'piece' gets maximum attention! Along with each one will be, as was before for an entire album, an appropriate piece of my artwork to 'illustrate' the feeling or theme of the track. I will not go into any interpretation of these pictures; I prefer leaving such elucidation to the listener! Read More
Natalis is my musical greeting to you with angelic slide 'airs' and a Christmas card I drew many years ago. Happy Christmas! Read More
Those familiar with the Western Irish coastal region of Sligo, will recognize the statue depicted on this album cover. Waiting on Shore was inspired by this statue of a woman reaching out in hope and prayer and, as the inscription reads, reflecting "…the age-old anguish of a seafaring people who watched and waited for the safe return of loved ones…" Read More
I will not comment in detail on this mid-2020 instrumental collection, as its title and many of the melodies’ themes should speak for themselves in light of recent and coming events! Hopefully, listeners find a measure of peace in these tunes. Read More
