Fire - My Fathers Name Is Dad - Mega Rare UK Psych 7 inch `Strawbs` £600

Here is the classic Psych single from 60`s UK band `Fire` (they later became the Folk Rock Band `The Strawbs`) , will cost you upwards of 600 British Pounds for a top copy, went on to produce an equally rare LP for Decca called `The Magic Shoemaker` (look out for this at a later date) - I update regularly why not subscribe

Dave Lambert formed the band as Fryday's Child with Bob Voice and Dick DuFall, they played their first gig at the famed White Bear in Hounslow. Demos secured an audition and subsequently a recording contract with Decca, and they spent some time in the studio with producer Tony Clarke (later prominent as the Moody Blues' producer - "the Sixth Moody Blue"). Their management also secured a deal with Apple Publishing. Now named Fire, they produced a first single for Decca ("Father's Name Is Dad"/"Treacle Toffee World" (1968); however interest must have been waning already as it required some pressure from Apple to secure its release. The single was withdrawn and a new version cut within days of its release, on the diktat of Paul McCartney, who felt that the original version lacked punch.
Fire continued to record, but became caught up in Apple politics: Mike Berry of Apple rejected all the band's demos and suggested instead they record one of his songs "Round The Gum Tree". Lambert agreed to do the vocals on this but the band refused to play on it. All refused to have anything to do with the song intended for the B-side - "Toothie Ruthie", which was written by their managers! Securing their release from the contracts with Decca and Apple, the band set about in early 1969 to put together the album The Magic Shoemaker. This was a concept album, written and conceived by Lambert - a story told to a group of children on a coach journey about a magic shoemaker and a pair of magic shoes which allow the hero of the story to fly. A name check for Dave Cousins and Paul Brett for "their invaluable help in contributing to the performances on this record" - Cousins plays banjo on the final track, and Brett was brought in to contribute the lead guitar on a number of tracks, Dave being busy playing keyboards, rhythm, acoustic guitars etc.
In its original version on Pye it is impossibly rare and expensive. After the release of Magic Shoemaker, Lambert broke up the original Fire:

[douglasarthur]

I'll take this over the last 30 odd years of singles charts !

[cyberwomble]

Wonder if a young Paul Weller sat listening and plotting to this. Would have loved to hear The Jam cover it.
Hard to believe this driving piece of London Mod sound went on to make the drivel that was 'The Magic Shoemaker' (it's rare for a reason).

[tubecrazy]

God I love this song so much I have it on CD I remember when Itot this it drove my parents crazy especially Mom

[michaelbglovier]

Funny my Father's name was Dad and my Mother's name was mom. 🤣🤣🤣

[livestocknetwork]

It's hardly surprising that this is going for £600. Pure quality...

[tomtadman]

Love this. Thanks for posting. However, your facts are a little off. Fire did not become The Strawbs. Dave Lambert did eventually join the Strawbs, a band that was formed by Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper, and Ron Chesterman and were originally called the Strawberry Hill Boys in 1964. Fire started in the late 60s. Strawbs changed their name in 1967 and Lambert joined them in the 70s.

[dleetr]

Forward looking track, another one that was of it's age, but somewhat lived outside of time too.

[PAULLONDEN]

Never understood how some kids call their parents by their first