Spontaneous Combustion

Formed in 1971, this progressive rock trio featured Tony Brock (b. 31 March 1954, Bournemouth, Dorset, England; drums), Gary Margetts (guitar/vocals) and Tristram Margetts (bass/vocals). Their talent was initially spotted by Greg Lake, who took them to Harvest Records. In 1971 Harvest released their debut single, ‘Lonely Singer’. This was followed a year later by their first, self-titled album. An effort typical of the time and genre, with elaborate keyboard and guitar codas dominating, Lake himself served as the producer. A second album offered more of the same, and was virtually ignored at the time of release, though all Spontaneous Combustion’s records have become collectible since in the wake of a nostalgia boom for the progressive era. The group’s final release was the 1973 single, ‘Sabre Dance Pts 1 & 2’. Afterwards Margetts worked regularly alongside Lake, while his brother dropped out of the music business. Brock joined first Strider then the Babys, and in the 80s became part of Rod Stewart’s backing group.