May Blitz : One Band * One Artist - Episode 88

Welcome to "One Band * One Artist", a 10-minute YouTube series dedicated to shining a light on obscure bands. Each episode dives into the story of a single artist, blending commentary with a curated selection of their songs. Perfect for music lovers craving fresh discoveries beyond the mainstream."

May Blitz was a Canadian-British hard rock power trio that blended elements of psychedelic rock, heavy metal, blues, and progressive tendencies, active primarily from 1969 to 1971. The band was initially formed in 1969 by bassist Terry Poole and drummer Keith Baker, both formerly of the blues-rock trio Bakerloo, following the departure of Bakerloo's guitarist Clem Clempson to join Colosseum.

Canadian vocalist and guitarist Jamie Black soon joined, but Poole and Baker left shortly after—Poole to Vinegar Joe and Baker to Uriah Heep (where he contributed to their album Salisbury). Black then recruited fellow Canadian Reid Hudson on bass and vocals, along with British drummer Tony Newman, who had previously played with notable acts like Jeff Beck Group, The Hollies, and Sounds Incorporated. This lineup—Black, Hudson, and Newman—became the core of May Blitz, known for their heavy, riff-driven sound without keyboards, drawing comparisons to bands like Cream, The Groundhogs, and early Black Sabbath. The band started performing in UK pubs and quickly signed with the progressive and heavy rock label Vertigo Records (with U.S. releases on Paramount Records), becoming one of the first four acts on the label alongside Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, and Juicy Lucy.

Their self-titled debut album, May Blitz (1970), featured powerful psychedelic tracks like "Smoking the Day Away," "I Don't Know," and "Dreaming," showcasing dynamic contrasts, bluesy heaviness, and progressive experimentation. It was followed by The 2nd of May (1971), which included songs such as "For Mad Men Only," "Snakes and Ladders," and "High Beech," incorporating funk, folk, metal, and jazz influences, though it received mixed reviews for its production compared to the debut.

Despite critical praise for their originality and musicianship, the albums achieved limited commercial success.

May Blitz disbanded in late 1971 due to the lack of mainstream breakthrough. After the split, Black and Hudson returned to Canada, while Newman joined Three Man Army with Adrian and Paul Gurvitz.

The band's legacy has grown in cult circles for their proto-metal and psychedelic contributions, with a live album, Essen 1970, released in 2012 capturing their energetic performances.

They remain an overlooked gem in early '70s rock history, valued for their scarcity and influence on heavy music development.
The original vinyl LP is extremely rare, often fetching three-figure prices among collectors, and the band appears to have disbanded after this sole release, with no further recorded output or known activity.
The lineup consisted of:
Frank Jerome: lead vocals
Geri Gates: lead guitar
Bob Chevalier: keyboards
Brian McIntyre: bass
Mark Massiello: drums

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Special thanks to Scott Shawver for his vocal talents