Virgin Sleep

Originally known as the Themselves, the Virgin Sleep was formed in 1966 by Alan Barnes, Keith Purnell, Rick Quilty, and Tony Rees. Following their name change, the group was signed to English Decca's Deram label in 1967, and they debuted on record that year with "Love," a punkish piece of psychedelic rock with strong Eastern overtones (including a sitar twanging in the background). Their follow-up recording, "Secret," released in 1968, was dominated by the sound of a Mellotron and a small string orchestra. The group disappeared after 1968, but their four surviving Deram songs have been anthologized on various collections of '60s music, such as The Psychedelic Scene. ~ Bruce Eder