# Brian Godding passed away at the age of 78, he left a formidable legacy: Video, Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2023/12/09/brian-godding-passed-away-at-the-age-of-78-he-left-a-formidable-legacy-video-photos/
- Published: 2023-12-09T00:02:11+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Universally praised as a jazz player, Brian Godding, who passed away at the age
of 78, has always been, in fact, held in high esteem as half of a musical unit that
influenced most of the classic rock twin-guitar pairs, a part, together with Jim
Cregan, of the legendary BLOSSOM TOES.**

Their two albums, 1967’s “We Are Ever So Clean” and “If Only For A Moment” from 
1969, both overseen by Giorgio Gomelsky, are considered cult treasures now, but 
Brian felt his horizons were limited by what the band did, and a one-off gig with
Julie Driscoll in 1969 presented Godding with a chance to move forward and expand
his outlook in more than one way, thus targeting genuine greatness.

That concert changed the axeman’s life, as not only Brian was able to get to know
Julie’s sister Angie, his future wife, but also, having performed a few of his own
tunes then, impress Driscoll’s future husband, Keith Tippett, and, as a result, 
joined the pianist’s ensemble CENTIPEDE and, being a single six-stringer in their
ranks, leave, alongside other representatives of British jazz-rock elite, an indelible
imprint on the collective’s “Septober Energy” in 1971. Some of those luminaries 
would appear on 1971’s “Workers’ Playtime” – a sole longplayer by B.B. BLUNDER, 
essentially BLOSSOM TOES minus Godding’s sparring partner – before he enrolled, 
replacing Chris Spedding, in Mike Westbrook’s SOLID GOLD CADILLAC, taking over Gary
Boyle’s duties, to unexpectedly proceed, after two albums, to MAGMA and emborder
1974’s “Köhntarkösz” with quite a few alluring lines.

![Mike Westbrook Band (2012) 10 - Brian Godding | 5th August 2… | Flickr](https://
i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/8295/7879050786_b8463bbfec_b.jpg?resize=640%2C959&
ssl=1)

In the mid-’70s Brian moved between different groups where he helped out various
pals until Kevin Coyne invited Godding to go on the road with the former artist’s
band in 1980 and follow that trek by recording three interesting LPs – “Bursting
Bubbles” and “Sanity Stomp” the very same year, cowriting several tracks, and “Pointing
The Finger” in 1981 – until their collaboration fizzled out and the guitarist found
himself in the company of old colleague Zoot Money in ERIC BURDON BAND in 1984, 
all this time working on what ended up as Godding’s own album. Out in 1986, “Slaughter
On Shaftesbury Avenue” is an outstanding opus which deserves wider audience, unlike
his subsequent releases “Kebab ‘ala’ Twang” and “The Colour Of Sound” whose improvisatory
character cried for acquired taste, so, although the veteran slowed down a bit recently,
he left a formidable legacy.

The varied career path of guitarist Brian Godding, who has died aged 78, took in
various genres along the way including blues, rock, jazz and avant improvisation.

Starting in earnest with the psych-pop band Blossom Toes, his star was in the ascendency.
Although this band never reached the highest echelons of fame, it did gain a fair
amount of popularity with albums such as _We Are Ever So Clean_ (Marmalade, 1967),
_If Only For A Moment_ (Marmalade, 1969) and later under the rebranded Blossom Toes
offshoot BB Blunder, the rather heavier _Workers’ Playtime_ (United Artists, 1971).

![](https://i0.wp.com/jazzjournal.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Brian-Godding-
696x453.webp?resize=640%2C417&ssl=1)

Godding first came to the attention of the jazz fraternity through his contribution
to his sister-in-law Julie Driscoll’s album _1969_ (Polydor, 1971) where he played
alongside her future husband Keith Tippett. This led to Godding being recruited 
by Tippett for his mammoth big band Centipede where he played a pivotal role on 
the resulting album _Septober Energy_ (RCA Neon, 1971).

Now regarded as a “jazz-friendly” guitarist he was employed by Mike Westbrook for
his jazz-rock experiment Solid Gold Cadillac and appeared on the album _Brain Damage_(
RCA, 1973). His subsequent long association with Westbrook led to contributions 
on several Westbrook albums. The opening to _Citadel/Room 315_ (RCA, 1975) was memorably
introduced by Godding’s muscular guitar and his coruscating work on Westbrook’s 
masterpiece _The Cortège_ (Original Records, 1982) was _essential_. He was also 
heard on other Westbrook recordings such as _Love/Dream And Variations_ (Transatlantic,
1976); _On Duke’s Birthday_ (Hat ART, 1985); _Pierides_ (Jazzprint, 1986) and _London
Bridge Is Broken Down_ (Virgin Venture, 1988).

Whilst Godding was best known in the jazz world for his work with Westbrook’s various
ensembles, he also played and recorded with other notable musicians including Kevin
Coyne, Eric Burdon, Zoot Money and on the French band Magma’s fifth studio album
_Köhntarkösz_ (Vertigo, 1974). He also recorded two albums with Westbrook alumni;
the jazz-rock outfit Mirage and their sole oeuvre _Now You See It_ (Compendium, 
1977) and the improv quartet Full Monte and _Spark In The Dark_ (Slam, 2013) recorded
in 1990 and 1994.

![Blossom Toes | Interview | Brian Godding - It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine](https://
i0.wp.com/www.psychedelicbabymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Brian-Belshaw-Brian-
Godding-Ed-Furst-at-Crawdaddy-65.jpg?resize=640%2C435&ssl=1)

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