Keyboardist Chick Churchill

Classical studies

Michael George “Chick” Churchill was born on January 2, 1946 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

Chick  began playing piano when he was six and was doing classical studies until he met the blues in 1961.

While part of the Sons of Adam, he met Alvin Lee whose band then was called the Jaybirds.

Churchill joined first as a road manager and then as a keyboardist.

Keyboardist Chick Churchill

Ten Years After

The band evolved into Ten Years After and concert promoter Bill Graham invited the band to tour America for the first time in the summer of 1968. Ten Years After would ultimately tour the USA 28 times in 7 years, more than any other U.K. band.

Keyboardist Chick Churchill

Summer of 1969

During the summer of 1969, they performed at  6 major festivals, including  the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Of course their performance of “Goin’ Home” at Woodstock and the song’s inclusion in both the film and on the album established their fame. (I wonder how many times the band performed that song that summer?)

I recently contact Chick and he generously responded with the following:  Woodstock seems so long ago now but I remember the huge audience and the helicopter journey. I think we went on after the rain storm. Everything was wet and I don’t think health and safety would allow it now but we survived. 

Keyboardist Chick Churchill

You and Me

In 1971, Chick released a solo album,  You and Me.

Keyboardist Chick Churchill

Post Ten Years After

When  Ten Years After disbanded in 1976 Chick Churchill became professional manager at Chrysalis Music.

In 1977 he began a partnership with Tim Whitsett as Whitsett Churchill Music Publishing. The company specialized in promoting American artists from southern states.

Ten again

The band reformed occasionally over the years, but once again things changed when on September 29, 2024 a Syracuse.com article reported that: ”

Ten Years After announced…that its current lineup is calling it quits after completing its remaining tour dates in November. The group, which features founding members Chick Churchill (keyboards) and Ric Lee (drums), has been touring and recording music together with Marcus Bonfanti (guitar/vocals) and Colin Hodgkinson (bass) for the past 10 years.

“The time spent through the decade together has been very rewarding, and throughout it the members formed a bond of mutual respect for one another as musicians, and a great social bond, outside of their term playing together. They had a superb relationship working and travelling together,” a statement said. “The band members are indebted to the fans who have followed them through the years in Europe and the USA, and want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one for their support and dedication.”

But…

The statement continued: “For the future, Ric Lee is already working to form a Ten Years After lineup with new members to continue the good work set up by Chick, Marcus, Colin and himself. Ric plans to have the new band up and running early in 2025 and an album to be released in the spring…”.

Neither Alvin Lee nor Ten Years After are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The band’sFacebook page.

Bio from TYA site >>> Churchill bio

Keyboardist Chick Churchill