User:PeRFECT WORDS & MUSIC/Woody Woodmansey's U-Boat

U-BOAT

Phil Murray and Dave Black were in a local Tyneside band together. In 1975, Dave was asked to replace Mick Ronson as lead guitarist in The Spiders From Mars, as they reformed after their David Bowie era. In 1976 Dave left The Spiders, and put Phil Murray in contact with Woody Woodmansey; together with Phil Plant, Frankie Marshall and eventually Martin Smith, U-Boat came into being. Signed to Bronze Records, their first album entitled U1, was recorded at the Roundhouse Recording Studios, produced by Gerry Bron. Gerry placed U-Boat as support band on the extensive 1977 Uriah Heep UK and European tour. Gerry suggested that prefixing Woody Woodmansey’s, to the name U-Boat, would for marketing purposes help sales, thus the name was edited just before release of the first album. U-Boat broke attendance records at The Marquee Club during their five week residency in the summer of 1977. The band were influential with many emerging punk outfits. Gary Numan was a fan, emerging with a remarkably similar group image during the Are Friends Electric time period. The Sex Pistols sent U-Boat a telegram to say that regardless of not being invited, they would support headline act U-Boat at the ill fated 1976 Burstow Festival, which was cancelled due to security issues, being so close to Gatwick Airport. One of the last appearances U-Boat made was at The Reading Festival of 1977. They had begun recording their second album, when friction between Woodmansey and their manager caused a damaging rift. Phil Murray and Martin Smith remained with the manager, whilst the other three formed another band. Phil Murray signed to Private Stock Records and then had three years signed to Mickie Most at RAK Records, before eventually embarking on a successful personal development book writing career. Had they not split, their second album could have been called U2!