Very much a musicians band PATTO were renowned on the live circuit for their unique blend of Jazz Rock and the awesome guitar talents of Ollie Halsall. Despite critical acclaim PATTO's albums never sold in quantity and are now much sought after rarities. The band's unfulfilled destiny is also marked by extreme tragedy with all of the quartet being dealt a raw deal in their personal lives.

The band originated in the 60's from BOW STREET RUNNERS who emerged into TIMEBOX. Seven singles were issued but all sank without trace. Retitling the band PATTO they were soon the talk of the town on the British club scene and Muff Winwood signed them to Progressive Rock label Vertigo. PATTO garnered envious acclaim but the album sales did not come. Their second effort, the 1971 Winwood produced 'Hold Your Fire', came clad in an elaborate Roger Dean designed fold out sleeve in the UK but sported a simpler alien design for US release. 'Hold Your Fire' did not sell and PATTO was dropped. Once more Muff Winwood stepped into the breach and contracted PATTO to Island Records.

A European tour support to TEN YEARS AFTER ensued followed by valuable dates in America and Australia. During this time Patto sessioned for numerous acts guesting on ALVIN LEE's 'Road To Freedom'and ELLIS's 'Why Not' whilst Halsall popped up on two SCAFFOLD albums. Island were unable to break the band commercially though and the PATTO's fourth album 'Monkey's Bum' was shelved. The sessions had steered towards more convential and commercial material, forcing a disgusted Halsall to quit. Mel Collins filled in with saxophone on parts originally intended for guitar but, minus their star guitarist, PATTO found Island Records rejecting the recordings. Dejected, the band split.

Patto joined SPOOKY TOOTH for their 1974 album 'The Mirrors' whilst Halsall joined ex COLOSSEUM driving force Jon Hiseman's TEMPEST project for their second album 'Living In Fear'. Griffiths teamed up with ALEXIS KORNER'S C.C.S. (famous for their LED ZEPPELIN take off of 'Whole Lotta Love' for the TV 'Top Of The Pops' theme tune.)

Later Patto and Halsall reunited to found BOXER, a straight ahead Rock band with none of the pretensions of PATTO. BOXER laid down three albums but made little headway. Quite incredibly Halsall and Halsey were to turn up in 1978 as part of Neil Innes spoof band THE RUTLES!

Patto succumbed to lymphatic leukimia in 1979 after a painfully long drawn out battle with the desease.

After many years as live guitarist for KEVIN AYERS Halsall relocated to Spain where he sessioned for numerous Spanish artists but was to die in 1992 of a heart attack connected to a heroin addiction. A solo album collection 'Caves' was issued in 1999.

The unreleased 'Monkey's Bum' album saw a release through the Audio Archives label in 1995. The 2000 release live album 'Warts And All' was recorded in Sheffield during 1971.