Ibex (band)
historyIbex was a short-lived Liverpool-based rock band in 1969. It is primarily known for having Freddie Mercury (then known as Freddie Bulsara), later of Queen fame, as a member. The other members of the band were Mike Bersin on guitar, Mick Smith on drums and John 'Tupp' Taylor (later Jim Capaldi's manager) on bass. In October 1969, the band changed its name to Wreckage but broke up in November 1969.
On September 9, 1969, the band performed a concert at The Sink in Liverpool, which included an encore with future Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May.
After Ibex, Mercury performed in Sour Milk Sea, before joining Smile with Taylor and May.
A Wreckage demo called "Green" and Ibex's live cover of The Beatles' "Rain" would later appear on Mercury's posthumous solo box set in 2000. Live performances exist of "Crossroads", "Communication Breakdown", "Jailhouse Rock", and "We're Going Wrong", but they have never been officially released.
The band reformed in 2005 to play at the Official Queen Fan Club convention with tribute band front man Harry Hamilton of "Flash Harry" taking Freddie's place as singer. They also played support to Flash Harry in their 2006 Royal Albert Hall show.