Progressive Rockers THE GODS were founded as a Blues outfit during 1965 by then teenage guitarist Mick Taylor. Two years later, at just seventeen years of age, Taylor decamped to join the 'star factory' of JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS, replacing no less than Peter Green, and as with so many guitarists before him ending up in a major band, in Taylor's case the ROLLING STONES in 1969.

The original line-up of THE GODS comprised Taylor, keyboard player KEN HENSLEY, bassist John Glascock and drummer Brian Glascock. Hensley was born in Plumstead, South East London on 24th August 1945. Being raised in Stevenage in Heryfordshire, Hensley's formative acts included Soul outfits THE BLUE NOTES, KEN AND THE COUSINS and a 1962 outfit dubbed THE SARACENS. The following year Hensley featured with THE JIMMY BROWN SOUND.

THE GODS notably supported CREAM for a 1966 concert at the Starlite Ballroom in Wembley. The four musicians originally took the stage names of Greek Gods THOR, HERMES, OLYMPUS & MARS for their now much sought after 1967 single 'Come On Down To My Boat Baby'.

When Taylor quit to find fame in May 1967 with JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS and John Glascock formed JETHRO TULL, Hensley regrouped pulling in Lee Kerslake on drums, Joe Konas on guitar and Paul Newton on bass. The latter soon bailed out to join SPICE, the band that would in December 1969 change its name and fortunes to URIAH HEEP, and in came replacement GREG LAKE during June 1967. Lake's tenure was brief though, exiting in mid 1968, as THE GODS proved to be an early rung on the ladder towards fame with KING CRIMSON and subsequently EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER. John Glascock returned to complete the band line-up as they signed a major deal with Columbia Records.

As various now rare Progressive Rock albums, 1968's 'Genesis' and 1970's 'To Samuel A Son', and singles fell by the wayside Hensley journeyed onto TOE FAT taking Konas, Glascock and Kerslake with him for an eponymous 1970 album. Drummer Brian Glascock worked with CAPTAIN BEYOND, THE MOTELS and featured on the eponymous 1977 TROUBLE album. Hensley and Kerslake of course were destined for URIAH HEEP. Kerslake also enjoyed a term with OZZY OSBOURNE's Blizzard Of Ozz before returning to URIAH HEEP once again.

The debut GODS album now warrants prices of £100 plus on the collectors market.