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Thunderclap Newman was a British rock band that Pete Townshend of the Who and Kit Lambert formed in 1969 in a bid to showcase the talents of John “Speedy“ Keen, Jimmy McCulloch, and Andy “Thunderclap“ Newman. Their single, “Something in the Air“, a 1969 UK number one hit, remains in demand for television commercials, film soundtracks and compilations. The band released a critically acclaimed rock album, Hollywood Dream, and three other singles (which appeared on the album), “Accidents“, “The Reason“ and “Wild Country“. From 1969 until 1971, the nucleus of the band consisted of the songwriter John “Speedy“ Keen (vocals, drums, guitar), Andy “Thunderclap“ Newman (piano) and Jimmy McCulloch (guitar). Pete Townshend (using the alias “Bijou Drains“) played bass guitar on their album and singles, all of which he had recorded and produced at the IBC Studio and his Twickenham home studio. The band augmented its personnel during its tours: in 1969 with James “Jim“ Pitman-Avery (bass guitar) and Jack McCulloch (drums); and in 1971 with Ronnie Peel (bass guitar) and Roger Felice (drums). The band folded in April 1971 but was resurrected by Andy Newman with a new group around 2007.
