Info courtesy of www.pendragon.mu

The story begins in the sleepy town of Stroud, Gloucestershire, England in 1978.

Four friends got together and decided to form a band. Zeus Pendragon consisting of Nick Barrett [guitar/vocals], Julian Baker [guitar/vocals], Nigel Harris [the most sought after drummer in the Stroud area] and Stan Cox [bass] was born.

Young and full of ambition Zeus Pendragon started out playing cover versions of classic rock tunes by Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and Santana and their first gig was ironically the same day that Nick left school, burning his maths text book and picking up his guitar on the way... The future had been determined.

    Below: Jools rehearsing with Pendragon in 1979!
The Zeus part of their name was later dropped when the logical and visionary Julian decided it was far too long to fit across a t-shirt, and this ridiculous cross pollination of Arthurian and Greek mythology just seemed plain silly.

Pendragon were approached by local promoter and manager Greg Lines, who took them under his managerial wing. Greg had put on many bands in the area (including U2, who actually slept on Greg’s lounge floor following their gig). Julian and Nick spent many days and nights writing the first Pendragon material and dreaming of stardom, but Pendragon’s ambitious schedule meant that Stan decided to leave, preferring to listen to music than playing it. Robert Dalby replaced him and John "Barney" Barnfield (the keyboard whiz from another local band "Cygnus") was persuaded to join to enhance the bands musical possibilities.

Line up hassles plagued the band in the early days and it wasn’t long before the imaginative but fiery Julian decided to quit the band. Nick and Barney were soon writing together and the distinctive Barrett/Barnfield sound was forged. A friend of Nick’s brother, guitarist Peter Gee was drafted in originally to fill Julian’s boots... But when Robert also decided to call it a day Peter took over bass duties! Musical chairs indeed.......

......Continues at www.pendragon.mu/uk/files/band_history.htm