A spin-off from an experimental music band Stavely Makepeace, the group was fronted by Rob Woodward and managed by him and drummer Nigel Fletcher. Other members included bassist Stephen Johnson. The group's sound was dominated by a heavy honky-tonk-style piano played by Woodward's mother, Hilda. Lieutenant Pigeon achieved two UK hits: "Mouldy Old Dough", written by Woodward with bandmate Fletcher, which reached number one in 1972, followed by "Desperate Dan". Both tracks were largely instrumental, with the titles providing virtually the only lyrics. "Mouldy Old Dough" became the second biggest selling UK single of the year, behind The Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards' bagpipe version of "Amazing Grace".. Lieutenant Pigeon scored a further hit, in the autumn of 1974, when they reached number three in the Australian charts with a cover version of "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen". The band stopped gigging in 1978, although Johnson re-formed the band in the 1980s, touring to notable success in Scandinavia. The line-up went through a number of changes. By the late 1980s Stephen Johnson was the only original member of the live band, replaced by Chris Allen in 1993. Fletcher joined Tasty and Oakie. Johnson subsequently set up a documentary video production company. Hilda Woodward died, aged 85, on 22 February 1999. She was aged 58 at the time of "Mouldy Old Dough" topping the charts, which made her one of the oldest female artists to feature on a UK number one single. The Pigeon name, and that of Stavely Makepeace, remain active with former members working together in the production of backing beds and jingles, maintaining a website and releasing occasional new material. Their 2001 release "Opus 400" is a 35-minute single composed of separate sections. For the past ten years now Woodward and Fletcher have continued to produce music which they have made available through their website.
Stavely Makepeace
Stavely Makepeace were the band from which Lieutenant Pigeon were a spin-off. Primarily consisting of Woodward and Fletcher, they began their career in 1969 experimenting with musical ideas in their home studio. The music they created was a form of eccentric pop that reflected their obsession with producer Joe Meek. Their debut single " Mad Dog" was released in 1969. A compilation of their material, The Scrap Iron Rhythm Revue, was released in 2004. Their 1972 single "Slippery Rock 70s" was used in the film Hot Fuzz in 2007 after the film's producers heard it on the album.
