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(who nearly joined Big Brother And The Holding Company instead of Janis Joplin). I
recall a transatlantic telephone interview with the rather sexy looking Velez that

appeared in Beat Instrumental magazine that year, at the end of which she told the
interviewer that he was the only person who had ever interviewed her stark naked

- he said the thought lingered with him, as indeed it did with me!

The association with CBS was shortly to come to an end (February 1971), when they

decided not to renew their option with Blue Horizon. By way of rounding things off,
3 compilation albums were released -

“Super Duper Blues”, “In Our Own Way -
Oldies But Goodies”, and the double LP

“How Blue Can We Get?’” Those of you
who recall the cover of “Super Duper

Blues” might remember it featuring a
photograph of Superman—who was

actually the multi-talented Mike Vernon
in disguise!

In the US, Sire Records had moved to
Polydor for distribution, and thus Blue

Horizon moved as well. The Vernon’s had
for some time been unhappy with the

support given them by Epic Records in
the US, who issued their Sire linked

material, so had no problems with the
Polydor deal.

These moves essentially signaled the end of Blue Horizon as a purely blues label, but
the Vernon brothers could be content to know that their label had been more

successful than any other blues label, and certainly the only one to boast a number
1 hit. They could also point to their roster of seriously good blues bands who were

at the forefront of the 60s ‘scene’.

In February 1972 Excello reissues from Arthur Gunter and Slim Harpo were released,

followed in July by others from Whispering Smith and Lightnin’ Slim (both recorded
in London) - these marked the end of the Excello/Blue Horizon partnership.

The label attempted to move towards the rock scene by signing, amongst others,
Focus, with whom they had a top 20 hit single, ‘Hocus Pocus’, and a couple of fine

albums, the last of which was the excellent double LP “Movin’ Waves”.

‘Music Week’ magazine subsequently reported that Blue Horizon would be closing

their record operation in July 1972. Apparently, the plan was for the Vernon brothers