Wednesday 22 April 2009

The Millingtons Still Rock!


Those who are regular readers of these posts will know about my affection for pioneering all-girl band Fanny who rocked the music world between 1969 and 1975. Since those heady times, founder member and lead guitarist June Millington has led an interesting life. Initially, she took a bit of a career break than returned to record ‘Ladies on the Stage’, a disco influenced late 70s album with sister and fellow ex-Fanny bass player, Jean Millington.

In the early 1980s she carved out a solo career for herself and released several albums on her own label then in 1986, with partner Ann Hackler, set up the Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA). This non-profit foundation supports women and girls in music and music-related business such as production and engineering and gives tuition in playing and singing. You can find out more about this worthy enterprise at http://www.ima.org/

As well as all this endeavour, June still finds time to write new music and play in her current band, The Slammin’ Babes which also includes sister Jean on bass.

The latest song to come from the creative talent that is June Millington is one called ‘Terrible Things’ and features June herself on guitar and vocals, Jean on bass and Jean’s son Lee on drums. This is probably the nearest most of us will get to hearing the old Fanny line up but just to hear the Millingtons in full flow is a joy to behold. Age has not diminished their talent and their playing is as solid as ever.

As for Lee, well, lucky boy! Who else do you know that plays in a band with his mum on bass and aunt on lead guitar!

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