Deke Leonard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deke Leonard
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Deke Leonard playing with Son of Man at Dagenham on 12 September 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Roger Arnold Leonard |
| Born | 18 December 1944 Llanelli, South Wales |
| Died | 31 January 2017 (aged 72) |
| Genres | Rock Rock and Roll Psychedelic rock Progressive rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, author, raconteur |
| Instruments | Guitar, keyboards |
| Years active | 1962–2016 |
| Associated acts | Man, Iceberg, Help Yourself, The Force |
Roger Arnold "Deke" Leonard (born December 18, 1944 – died January 31, 2017) was a rock musician from Wales. He was known for being a member of the progressive rock band Man. He also led his own rock and roll band called Iceberg. Besides music, Deke was an author, a great storyteller, and appeared on TV shows.
Contents
Early Life and First Bands
Deke Leonard was born in Llanelli, South Wales. In 1962, while still in school, he started his first band, Lucifer and the Corncrackers. He chose his stage name "Deke" from a character played by Elvis Presley in a movie called Loving You. Deke left school to become a full-time musician.
The Corncrackers had their own club where they played. They also opened for famous bands like Johnny Kidd & The Pirates. Over time, the band's members changed, and they eventually broke up.
Deke joined other bands, including The Jets and The Blackjacks. He toured Europe with The Blackjacks. Later, he rejoined The Jets, which changed its name to The Smokeless Zone. They played in Germany, even at the famous Hamburg's Top Ten Club. After more changes, this band also ended.
Eventually, Deke rejoined a new version of The Corncrackers. They started playing a different style of music called psychedelia and changed their name to Dream. In November 1968, Deke joined a band called The Bystanders. This band was also changing its music style and soon became known as Man.
Joining the Band Man
Deke Leonard first joined the band Man while they were working on their second album. He later left for a short time but then rejoined. During this time, some of his old bandmates, Martin Ace and Terry Williams, also joined Man.
In 1972, Deke left Man again. He was offered a chance to record a solo album. To help out another band, Help Yourself, Deke joined them for a tour. He even recorded an album with them called Christmas at the Patti.
Forming Iceberg
Deke recorded his first solo album, which he named Iceberg. Many musicians helped him, including members from Badfinger and Help Yourself.
To play his new music live, Deke formed a band also called Iceberg. It included his old bandmates Brian Breeze and Keith Hodge. Their album was well-received, and a song called "Hard Way to Live" was played on the radio by John Peel, a famous DJ.
The band Iceberg went through some member changes and recorded another album called Kamikaze. After touring, Deke decided to end Iceberg in December 1973.
Back with Man and Iceberg
Deke rejoined Man in January 1974 and stayed with them until they broke up in December 1976. He played on many of their albums during this time.
After Man disbanded, Deke still had a solo record deal. He recorded another album called Before Your Very Eyes. He also briefly played with other musicians and reformed Iceberg with new members.
In 1981, Deke moved to the USA for a short time. He then rejoined Sean Tyla to form a band called The Force. After touring, they recorded an album. When Sean Tyla left, the band became another version of Iceberg.
Man Reforms and Later Years
In 1983, Deke ended Iceberg again to rejoin Man, as the band reformed. He played with them until 1996, when he had a minor stroke. Man continued as a trio until Deke recovered and rejoined them in 1997.
In 2002, Deke released a CD of his demo songs called Unfinished Business. Later, in 2004, Deke decided to leave Man again.
After leaving Man, Deke formed another version of Iceberg. He also recorded a solo album called Freedom and Chains in 2004. In 2005, a collection of his old radio recordings was released as Wireless. Iceberg continued to perform with Deke for many years.
Writer and Storyteller
Deke Leonard was also a talented writer. He wrote notes for Man's album covers in the 1970s. Later, he wrote articles for music magazines.
His first book, Rhinos, Winos & Lunatics (1996), was about his life. His second book, Maybe I Should've Stayed in Bed? (2000), was very popular. These books were even considered for film rights.
Deke read parts of his books on BBC radio for a show called It's Crazy Man. This show won an award in 2006. He also performed a one-man show where he told rock'n'roll stories and sang songs. Deke appeared on several TV and radio shows as a panelist and narrator.
He wrote two more autobiographical books: The Twang Dynasty (2012) and Maximum Darkness: Man on the Road to Nowhere (2015).
Death
Deke Leonard passed away on January 31, 2017, at the age of 72. The cause of his death was heart failure.
Discography
Man
See Man discography for the 25 + albums Leonard made with Man
Iceberg and solo albums
- Iceberg (1973) LP United Artists UAG 29464 – CD (Re-issued as double CD with Kamikaze) BGO Records, BGOCD288
- Kamikaze (1974) LP United Artists UAG 29544 – UK No. 50 CD (Re-issued as double CD with Iceberg) BGO Records, BGOCD288
- Before Your Very Eyes (1979) lp United Artists UAG 30240, BGO CD 14
- Unfinished Business (2002) Northdown Records, RGF DL501
- Wireless (2005) (Radio shows recorded in the 1970s) CD Hux HUX064
- Freedom and Chains (2005) Angel Air SJPCD197
With others
- Help Yourself
- Christmas at the Patti (1973)
- The Amazing ZigZag Concert (recorded 1974, released 2010)
- The Tyla Gang
- Yachtless (1977)
- Walter Egan
- The Last Stroll (1981)
- The Force
- The Force (1982) Zilch Records (Germany) 2374 195
- The Flying Aces
- Seashell (2002)
- Larry Wallis
- Hams (Vol 2) (2000) (Pink Fairies and Deviants Compilation)
- Hogwash (2003) (Pink Fairies and Deviants Compilation)
