Generation H

The late 1950s saw the establishment of a youth counterculture. Young people, with increasingly disposable income and free time, invested in new forms of music and fashion. Their music has constantly developed - from rock and roll, through blues, soul, metal, disco and punk to dance and hip hop.

The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) performing in the Refectory Building, Brunel University, to promote their album ‘On the Third Day’, 1974 (by John Bates)
The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) performing in the Refectory Building, Brunel University, to promote their album 'On the Third Day', 1974 (by John Bates)
Guitarist Ronnie Wood (b1947) grew up in Yiewsley, part of the local canal community. He played in early seventies band The Faces and later joined The Rolling Stones. During the 1980s he collaborated with Prince, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Aretha Franklin.

Brian Connolly (1945-1997) and Steve Priest (1948-2020) were singer and bassist with glam rock band The Sweet from 1968. They grew up, respectively, in Harefield and Hayes. Many glam artists cultivated an androgynous image - Bowie once commented on the
amount of make-up used by Priest.

A founder member of groundbreaking synthesiser band Tubeway Army was Hayes-born Paul Gardiner (1958-1984). Their single 'Are Friends Electric' topped the charts in 1979.

Indie band Scouting for Girls was founded by Roy Stride, Peter Ellard and Greg Churchouse - childhood friends from Ruislip. Stride and Ellard attended the same cub scout troop.

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Page last updated: 02 Aug 2022
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