THE CURIOUS STORY OF THE THIRD EAR BAND

When the legend becomes fact, print the legend. So goes the saying. In the case of the Third Ear Band, this is very much the case: surely there are few other prog bands with such a miasma of myths circulating them. Is it true they took their name from an obsessed fan who carried around Van Gogh’s severed ear in a bag? Is it true that the bandmembers were heavily involved in alchemy practices and were pagan worshippers? Is it true they became an acoustic-oriented band because all their equipment got stolen? And is it true that Glen Sweeney, regarded as the band’s main wellspring of creativity, fought in the Second World War?

“They took risks in a way that was highly progressive. I loved them for it. In some ways, what they were doing was pioneering what we’d call world music today.” Peter Jenner

“That last one wouldn’t surprise me,” laughs Peter Jenner, who produced Alchemy, the band’s debut album in 1969. Jenner was one of the principles in Blackhill Enterprises, who took on the Third Ear Band for management in the late 60s.

“I was, all I really did was sit there and let them get on with it. They improvised a lot, which I loved. I never interfered.”