Rod made his way back to London in 1964 and joined a Long John Baldry's Hoochie Coochie Men, recording a single, 'Good Morming Little Schoolgirl'. Unfortunely fame was not to be at this time and it failed to make the chart.

The Hoochie Coochie Men evolved into Steampacket which featured Rod, John Baldry (famous for his duet with Kathi McDonald, 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling') , Julie Driscoll ( well known for her 1960s hit versions of "Wheel's on Fire" and Bob Donovan's "Season of the Witch") , Brian Auger ( a jazz and rock keyboardist, specialising in playing the Hammond Organ and was also founder of Steampacket), Mickey Waller (best known for his excellent drum playing) and Rick Brown (who played bass guitar). The Steampackets supported the Rolling Stones and the Walker Brothers (known for their hits, 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) and 'Make It Easy On Yourself' ), back in the summer of 1965. During this time Rod and the Steampackets would also recored an album which was not released until 1970, a time at which Rod has already made a name for himself in the musical arena.

In early 1966, Steampacket disbanded at which time Rod joined another group, Shotgun Express as lead vocalist along with Beryl Marsden (who began singing at the age of 15 with 'The Undertakers and Faron's Flamingoes. Quiet possibly she could have been Liverpool's answer to Brenda Lee). Also among the members of Shotgun were Mick Fleetwood, (who would later served as drummer with the rock band Fleetwood Mac), and Peter Green ( blues-rock guitarist, later joining and becoming a founding member of Fleetwood Mac.

Rod's careet with Shotgun was short lived as it disbanned in 1966 after releasing only one single. Rod didn't let that discourage him, he got right back out there, singing guest vocals for Pythod Lee Jackson (the Australian band) in 1970 with "In a Broken Dream" re-released in 1972, becoming a global success. Strangely enough, Rod's payment for his efforts was a set of seat covers for his car! Bet that was a disappointment!.

Discography