Origin: Coventry, England
This U.K. ensemble evolved out of the soul-blues based band the Five Proud Walkers, and in early 1967 was influenced by Pink Floyd to go psychedelic and change its name to Velvet Opera. The group soon extended its moniker to Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera when member Dave Terry (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica) changed his name to Elmer Gantry and started wearing a cape and preacher's hat similar to the title character in the Sinclair Lewis novel Elmer Gantry turned Oscar winning movie in 1960. Other original members included Colin Forster (lead guitar), John Ford (bass, vocals), Richard Hudson (d…