Tenpole Tudor


Tenpole Tudor are an English punk band fronted by Edward Tudor-Pole. The band first came to prominence when Tudor-Pole appeared in the Sex Pistols' film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle and on three of the singles released from the soundtrack. The band then went on to have hits in their own right with songs like "Swords of a Thousand Men" and "Wünderbar". The band has been active intermittently since 1977.

Origins

Tenpole Tudor formed in 1977 when Tudor-Pole met guitarist "Old" Bob Kingston, bassist Dick Crippen, and drummer Gary Long. They played regularly for several years until Tudor-Pole himself came to prominence by appearing in the 1980 film, The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle. He was originally billed as a replacement for Sex Pistols singer Johnny Rotten, performing the songs "Who Killed Bambi?", "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle" and a cover version of "Rock Around the Clock" for the film and subsequent soundtrack. However, manager Malcolm McLaren and the remaining Sex Pistols instead decided to abandon the group and go their own ways.

1980-1999

Tenpole Tudor recorded a single on WEA Records with the A-side being "Real Fun" and the B-side "What's in a Word". "Real Fun" is available in live form on two different CDs, but the single was never released on CD. Tenpole Tudor returned in 1980 and signed a recording contract with Stiff Records, with whom they released the single "3 Bells in a Row" and was produced by Dick Crippen.
The band released their début album, Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary, in 1981. It sold well, and in addition to the popular "3 Bells in a Row", launched two additional hit singles "Wünderbar" and "Swords of a Thousand Men". In the same year, the group released their second album, Let the Four Winds Blow, which also performed well. They further distinguished themselves with their oddball live performances, which had band members often dressing in medieval garb, and Tudor-Pole himself in a full suit of chain mail armour. They also added Munch Universe, as he was billed, to their line-up.
In 1982, the original Tenpole Tudor broke up. While Tudor-Pole led a cajun-inspired version of Tenpole Tudor, the rest of the band released a single under the name The Tudors, minus Munch Universe. After the non-original incarnation of Tenpole Tudor failed, Tudor-Pole left Stiff Records and began performing in jazz and swing bands, eventually returning to acting. Tudor-Pole formed a new line-up of the band in 1985, featuring Mick, Matt, Sean, and Paul.

2000-present

Edward Tudor-Pole and Dick Crippen appeared onstage together for the first time in over 35 years in September 2016 in support of charities Rhythmix and Heads On.

Discography

Tenpole Tudor

Albums

  • Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary UK No. 44 - Re-released in Canada as Swords of a Thousand Men plus B-side
  • Let the Four Winds Blow -
  • Made It This Far -
  • 3 Bells in a Row -

    Singles

  • "Who Killed Bambi?" - - billed as Ten Pole Tudor - UK No. 6 - the listed a-side of "Who Killed Bambi" was "Silly Thing" by Sex Pistols
  • "Rock Around the Clock" - - UK No. 21 - the listed a-side of "Rock Around The Clock" was "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle" by Sex Pistols
  • "Real Fun" / "What's in a Word" -
  • "3 Bells in a Row" / "Fashion" / "Rock and Roll Music" -
  • "Swords of a Thousand Men" / "Love and Food" - UK No. 6
  • "Wünderbar" / "Tenpole 45" - - UK No. 16
  • "Throwing My Baby Out with the Bath Water" / "Conga Tribe" - - UK No. 49
  • "Let the Four Winds Blow" / "Sea of Thunder" -
  • "Swords of a Thousand Men" -

    Compilations

  • The Best of Tenpole Tudor: Swords of a Thousand Men - - compilation of singles, b-sides and selected album tracks.
  • Wunderbar: The Stiff Records Singles Collection - - compilation of all the singles and b-sides.

    The Tudors

  • "Tied Up with Lou Cool" / "Cry Baby Cry" -

    Eddie Tenpole Tudor

  • "The Hayrick Song" / "Take You to the Dance" -

    CD reissues

  • Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary - - the original album plus six bonus tracks.
  • Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary - - the original album plus three bonus tracks.
  • Let the Four Winds Blow - - the original album plus five bonus tracks.
  • Swords of a Thousand Men - - 2CD version of the 1993 reissues with different artwork.
  • Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary / Let The Four Winds Blow: The Stiff Anthology - - Slipcased digitally remastered 2CD reissue of the original albums, with the single versions, b-sides and exclusive live tracks.