The Band - Swegas

CLICK ON ANY BAND MEMBER'S NAME FOR MORE INFO / PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION

Nick Ronai - Trombone

Nick was a founder member of Swegas along with Joe Spibey. They had worked together in other bands and they left to form this jazz rock outfit and recruited friends like Jonny Toogood on guitar and Alan Smith on Alto Sax and piano. Nick, had little experince writing jazz but his unique horn writing, above anything else, gave Swegas it's unique sound. The influences for the band were Blood Sweat and Tears and the Chicago Transit Authority but thanks largely to Nick it sounded like neither. He continued to do the majority of the writing for Swegas and was with them till they split up in late 1971.

Brian (Joe) Spibey - Trumpet / Vocals

Although Joe did not tour with the band he deserves an inclusion here because, along with Nick, he founded Swegas and Joe's wife, Lesley, came up with the name. Joe played trumpet and sang on the first unreleased album (see discography). He also wrote a couple of the tracks. He left the band in early 1970. He now manages a Jazz On Film website

Keith Strachan - Keyboard/Vocals

Keith joined the group with Roy in mid 1969 when they saw an ad for an organist and a bass player to join a jazz rock group. Keith & Roy had formed their first group in 1966 at Queen Elizabeth College, London. Justus 5 played colleges and gigs in and around London. After leaving university Keith became a teacher, but with Roy, formed a semi-pro R&B / soul group called Catwalk playing mostly covers of Stax songs etc. This led to a more progressive outfit with the addition of two saxophones. And then Swegas. Keith began composing and wrote some of the material for the band.

Roy Truman - Bass Guitar

Roy joined the group with Keith in mid 1969 when they saw an ad for an organist and a bass player to join a jazz rock group. (See Keith's entry).

Sadly, Roy died from cancer on 9th April 2025.

John Legg - Alto Sax/Baritone Sax/Flute

John had gigged for some time as a sax player before joining Swegas in late 1969. He stayed with the band for it's duration and his Alto Sax is featured heavily on both albums. Known as Legato because of his smooth approach to music, girls and life.

Chris Dawe - Trumpet

Chris joined the band in late 1969 and was with it for about a year. He played trumpet and co-wrote a number of the songs. He recorded with the band on the album Child Of Light and he was largely responsible for the creation of the title song.

Ron Shillingford - Tenor Saxophone/ Flute

Ron joined the band in late 1969 around the same time as Chris. They had both worked together in NYJO, The National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Ron stayed with the band throughtout it's life. He was invaluable, because as well as being a fine tenor player, he was also a 1st class music copyist and hand copied all the band parts

Stewart Wilkinson - Guitar/Vocals

Stewart joined the band in early 1970 to replace Jonny Toogood who had no taste for touring. Stewart played with Swegas on both albums and stayed with the band until it split up in late 1971. As well as being a fine guitar player he also had a great soulful voice. Sadly, Stewart died from a brain tumour on the 5th January 2009.

Maurice McElroy - Drums

Maurice was with the band from early 1970. He replaced Chrys Chrysostomou and recorded with the band on their first album but then left at the end of the first European Tour in July. He was replaced by Billy Hogan.

Billy Hogan - Drums

Billy had been playing in The Boston Show Band at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg (featuring the then unknown Gary Glitter). Swegas were sharing the bill at the time and asked Billy to join them as Maurice was leaving. Billy, like the insane fool he is, left a luctrative gig to trawl around Europe with Swegas. He was however a fine addition to the band as his drumming on the Beyond The Ox album will testify.

John Macnicol - Trumpet

John joined the band to replace Chris Dawe in late 1970. Early on, it was apparent that John was the serious one of the outfit - he read the Guardian and practiced to make perfect. He was a welcome musical addition to the line up and his playing on the second album is most tasteful. Known fondly as Lennie, partly to distingusih him from John Legg but mostly because he insisted on wearing a 'Lennie The Lion' T-shirt.