The Saints

The Saints is an Australian rock and roll band. Although the members changed considerably, all line ups share the singer-songwriter Chris Bailey. The Saints were formed in Brisbane in 1972 (see 1972 in music) by schoolmates Bailey, guitarist-songwriter Ed Kuepper[?] and drummer Ivor Hay[?]. Their musical inspiration came from sources as diverse as 1950s rock 'n' roll and 1960s Detroit punk band The Stooges.

In 1976 (see 1976 in music), with bass player Kym Bradshaw[?], the band independently recorded and distributed copies of the classic single "(I'm) Stranded[?]", which when re-released by EMI Records[?] was moderately successful in Australia and the UK. Later the same year the band recorded an album, also called (I'm) Stranded[?].

In 1977 (see 1977 in music) they moved to the UK, where they found it hard to fit in with rapidly changing fashions and a new generation of UK and US punk bands. However one single "This Perfect Day" was a minor hit in the UK.

Later in 1977, with bass player Alisdair Ward[?], The Saints recorded a second album, Eternally Yours[?], which showed the band moving towards a more traditional form of rock, including a brass section on some songs. That trend was continued with the strikingly distinctive, jazz-blues influenced LP Prehistoric Sounds[?] in 1978.

Kuepper, Hay and Ward left the band soon afterwards and Kuepper was soon pursuing a more avant garde jazz-influenced direction with The Laughing Clowns[?]. He also later released several solo albums.

Bailey continued to use the name of The Saints with a variety other musicians. He eventually achieved a commercial breakthrough with All Fools Day[?] in 1987 (see 1987 in music), which sold moderately well across most of the world, as did the follow-up, Prodigal Son[?]. Since then, Bailey has continued touring and recording with various incarnations of the Saints.