Humble Pie was one of the first true supergroups in British rock history. Formed in 1969, the band blended hard rock, blues, soul, and boogie. Their sound helped shape the evolution of hard rock and influenced bands like Aerosmith, Van Halen, and Soundgarden. With powerful vocals, gritty guitar riffs, and explosive live performances, they left a lasting mark on rock music.
| Member | Role | Notable Contributions | Post-Humble Pie Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Marriott | Lead Vocals, Guitar | Founder, driving force behind the band’s gritty sound, key songwriter, powerful stage presence | Formed Steve Marriott’s All-Stars, reunited with Small Faces, died in 1991 in a house fire |
| Peter Frampton | Lead Guitar, Vocals | Contributed to early melodic sound, co-wrote many early tracks | Achieved major success as a solo artist with “Frampton Comes Alive!” |
| Greg Ridley | Bass, Vocals | Solid blues-based bass lines, co-wrote material, contributed vocals | Formed Strange Brew, participated in 2001 reunion, died in 2003 |
| Jerry Shirley | Drums | Original drummer, kept rhythm section tight, part of multiple reunions | Formed Natural Gas, legally held rights to Humble Pie name, led 2001–2002 reunion |
| Dave “Clem” Clempson | Lead Guitar | Replaced Frampton, added heavier blues-rock edge, contributed to Smokin’ and Eat It | Later played with Strange Brew and Colosseum |
| Bobby Tench | Keyboards, Vocals | Joined in 1980 lineup, contributed to On to Victory and Go for the Throat | Worked with Jeff Beck Group and later rejoined Humble Pie’s 2001 reunion |
| Anthony “Sooty” Jones | Bass | Played bass in the 1980s reunion period | Limited known post-Pie activity |
| Dave Colwell | Guitar | Joined for the 2001–2002 reunion album Back on Track | Formerly with Bad Company, continued session work |
Early Formation and Breakout (1969)
Humble Pie came together when four talented musicians from successful bands joined forces:
-
Steve Marriott, guitarist and vocalist, had just left the Small Faces.
-
Peter Frampton, lead guitarist, was known from the pop group The Herd.
-
Greg Ridley, bassist, played with Spooky Tooth.
-
Jerry Shirley, drummer, had been part of Apostolic Intervention.
They began jamming in Marriott’s cottage in Essex and soon developed a tight musical chemistry.
Later that year, they signed with Immediate Records, run by former Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham.
Early Success
Their debut single, “Natural Born Bugie,” was an instant hit, reaching #4 on the UK Singles Chart.
Their debut album, As Safe As Yesterday Is, dropped soon after and climbed to #32 on the UK Albums Chart. The band followed up quickly with Town and Country, an acoustic-heavy record released in late 1969.
Label Shift and Sound Evolution (1970–1971)
Things changed when Immediate Records went bankrupt. Humble Pie moved to A&M Records and hired Dee Anthony as their manager. Anthony encouraged a heavier, more aggressive sound, particularly aimed at breaking into the American market.
Musical Transition
Their 1970 self-titled album, Humble Pie, marked the start of this shift. It featured contrasting tracks, from Frampton’s mellow “Earth and Water Song” to Marriott’s wild “One Eyed Trouser Snake Rumba.”
The 1971 album, Rock On, was heavier and bluesier. The band’s musical direction was clearly moving toward raw, hard rock.
Breakthrough Live Album
That same year, they toured the U.S., recording performances that became the live double album Performance: Rockin’ the Fillmore. It was a commercial breakthrough, reaching:
-
#21 on the Billboard 200
-
#32 on the UK Albums Chart
Shortly after its release, Peter Frampton left to pursue a solo career.
Smokin’ and Peak Popularity (1972–1973)
To replace Frampton, the band recruited Dave “Clem” Clempson, formerly of Colosseum. With Clempson on board, Humble Pie fully leaned into a louder, blues-driven rock style.
Smokin’ (1972)
Their next studio album, Smokin’, became their biggest success. It reached:
-
#6 on the Billboard 200
-
#20 on the UK Albums Chart
It featured the popular single “Hot ‘n’ Nasty” and a cover of Eddie Cochran’s “C’mon Everybody.” The album’s heavy riffs and gritty vocals appealed to American audiences and earned them a larger fan base.
Eat It (1973)
In 1973, they released the double album Eat It, which combined:
-
Blues covers
-
Soul influences (including backing vocals by The Blackberries)
-
Live tracks
It hit #13 in the UK and #34 in the U.S. The album showcased the band’s range and versatility.
Decline and First Breakup (1974–1975)
Despite past success, Humble Pie’s momentum began to slow.
-
Thunderbox (1974) failed to crack the Top 40.
-
Street Rats (1975), mostly recorded under pressure from A&M, also flopped.
Internal tensions and fatigue from touring led the band to break up in 1975.
Solo Projects and Short-Lived Reunions (1976–1983)
After the breakup:
-
Steve Marriott returned to Small Faces and later formed Steve Marriott’s All-Stars.
-
Jerry Shirley formed Natural Gas.
-
Greg Ridley worked with Clempson in Strange Brew.
Humble Pie Mark II (1980–1981)
In 1980, Marriott and Shirley revived Humble Pie with:
-
Bobby Tench (from the Jeff Beck Group)
-
Anthony “Sooty” Jones on bass
They released two albums:
-
On to Victory (1980)
-
Go for the Throat (1981)
However, Marriott injured his hand on tour, and later health issues—including a bleeding ulcer—forced them to cancel gigs. The group disbanded again in 1981.
Final Efforts
In 1982, Marriott formed a new version of Humble Pie with:
-
Jim Leverton (bass)
-
Goldy McJohn (keyboards, ex-Steppenwolf)
-
Fallon Williams III (drums)
But this lineup faced instability and failed to secure a record deal. By 1983, Humble Pie was shelved again, and Marriott withdrew from the spotlight.
Tragedy and Legacy (1990–2003)
View this post on Instagram
In 1990, Marriott and Frampton briefly reunited. They recorded several demos including “The Bigger They Come” and “I Won’t Let You Down.”
Tragically, Steve Marriott died in a house fire on April 20, 1991, at age 44.
A Final Tribute and Reunion
In 2001, Jerry Shirley organized a tribute concert at the London Astoria to mark the 10th anniversary of Marriott’s death.
Later that year, Shirley reformed Humble Pie again with:
-
Greg Ridley
-
Bobby Tench
-
Dave Colwell (ex-Bad Company)
They released Back on Track in 2002. However, Ridley became ill, and the group disbanded for good. He passed away in 2003 from pneumonia complications.
Posthumous Releases and Recognition
Since the band’s final disbandment, several compilations and live albums have been released:
-
The Atlanta Years (2005)
-
The Definitive Collection (2006)
-
One More for the Old Tosser (2006)
Humble Pie’s influence remains strong. Their mix of blues, soul, and hard rock inspired generations of musicians. While they never reached the fame of Led Zeppelin or The Who, they were admired by peers and revered by fans for their raw talent and explosive live energy.