Principal Edwards Magic Theatre

This UK band was formed in 1968 at Essex University, England. The artistic hippie co-operative revolved around Belinda ‘Bindy’ Borquin (vocals/recorder/violin/piano), Root Cartwright (guitar/mandolin/recorder) and David Jones (percussion) who were initially joined by Jeremy Ensor (bass) and vocalists Martin Stellman, Monica Nettles and Vivienne McAuliffe. Numerous dancers, technicians and stage hands took the line-up number into double figures and, having recorded Soundtrack for John Peel’s Dandelion Records label, the group abandoned university to establish a commune. Second album The Asmoto Running Band, produced by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, preceded an ambitious season at London’s Hampstead Theatre Club. The residency exacerbated an internal dispute over ultimate direction, and the unit disintegrated in December 1971. Bourquin, Cartright and Jones reshaped the band around Nick Pallett (guitar/vocals), Richard Chipperfield-Jones (bass/vocals) and Geoff Nicholls (drums) and, having dropped the ‘Magic Theatre’ suffix, completed the rock orientated Round One, again under the aegis of Mason.