Merlin’s Wake / Badger

from http://timdisney.co.uk/music/merlins-wake-1969-72/ (this site no longer exists)

TIM DISNEY

Merlin’s Wake / Badger (1969 – 72)

Harold Burgon: Guitar
Tim Disney: Vocals, Harp
Al Gascoigne: Guitar
Stevie Otter: Drums
Mick Wheat: Bass

Merlin’s Wake

Merlin’s Wake was formed around the summer of 1969 and was the first of many times that Tim would play in a line-up with Al Gascoigne, Stevie Otter and Mick Wheat. Al, Steve and Mick had all just been playing in “Life Without Mother”, another progressive blues band. Merlin’s Wake played regularly downstairs at The Milton’s Head in Nottingham, a great music venue at the time, to a very crowded, hot and steamy cellar. Great atmosphere and loud music. In 1972, Merlin’s Wake changed their name to Badger and moved to London. They lived for a while in an old transit van which was parked up in the grounds of the Phillipa Fawcett College student residence on Crown Lane in Streatham Hill. Anna (Rowat) was a student there and did their washing and cooking without complaint!

Thanks to Sophie Scraw for these photos.

Merlin’s Wake. Steve Otter (Dr), Tim Disney (V), Mick Wheat (B), Harold Burgon or Alan Gascoigne (I’m not sure)
Merlin’s Wake. Harold Burgon or Alan Gascoigne (G) (I’m not sure which), Steve Otter (Dr), Tim Disney (V), Mick Wheat (B)
Merlin’s Wake. Harold Burgon or Alan Gascoigne (G) (I’m not sure which), Steve Otter (Dr), Tim Disney (V), Mick Wheat (B)
Merlin’s Wake. Harold Burgon or Alan Gascoigne (G) (I’m not sure which), Steve Otter (Dr), Tim Disney (V), Mick Wheat (B), Harold Burgon or Alan Gascoigne (G) (I’m not sure which)