Tenpole Tudor

by Stephen Thomas ErlewineTenpole Tudor was one the strangest and silliest groups on Stiff Records, a label that was known for its oddballs. Led by Eddie Tudor (born Edward Tudorpole), a former actor that could barely carry a tune, the group played a mixture of punk, roots rock, pop, and British dancehall music, developing a thoroughly entertaining and ridiculous style. Tudor formed the band in 1974 with guitarist Bob Kingston, bassist Dick Crippen, and drummer Gary Long. Before recording the bands first album, Tudor appeared in the Sex Pistols movie The Great Rock N Roll Swindle, singing Who Killed Bambi. After releasing a single on Korova Records, the group joined the Stiff roster, releasing Three Bells in a Row. Tenpole Tudor released their debut album, Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary, in 1981; it sold well, launching two minor singles in addition to Three Bells in a Row: Wunderbar and Swords of a Thousand Men. That same year, the group released their second album, Let the Four Winds Blow, which also performed well. The following year, Eddie Tudor broke up Tenpole Tudor; while he led a Cajun-inspired version of Tenpole Tudor, the rest of the band became the Tudors. After the new incarnation of Tenpole Tudor failed, Tudor left Stiff Records and began performing in jazz and swing bands, as well as returning to acting; he has since concentrated on acting, although he has assembled new versions of Tenpole Tudor since.