Chris Glen

Christopher John Glen (born 6 November 1950), known simply as Chris Glen, is a Scottish rock musician.

Glen began his career as bassist for a band known as The Jade in 1969.

That band changed their name to Mustard, which eventually was composed of Eddie Campbell (keyboards), Zal Cleminson (guitar), Glen (bass, vocals), Gilson Lavis (drums) and Andi Mulvey (vocals).

After changing their name to Tear Gas, Mulvey was replaced by David Batchelor, and Lavis was replaced by Richard Munro.

This lineup recorded their first album Piggy Go Getter in 1970.

Eventually another personnel change saw Campbell leave and Ted McKenna and his cousin Hugh McKenna take over for Munro and Batchelor (who went on to produce several SAHB albums).

They recorded a second album Tear Gas in 1971.

Neither album sold well.

He is best known for playing with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band from 1972 to 1977, and The Michael Schenker Group from 1980 to 1984, 2008 to 2010, and 2016 to 2020.

He also performed with Michael Schenker Fest, featuring original MSG band members.

In 1972, fellow Scotsman Alex Harvey joined forces with Tear Gas and together they formed the Sensational Alex Harvey Band.

They played with the lineup of Harvey, Cleminson, Glen and the McKennas until a personnel change in 1976 which saw Hugh McKenna replaced by Tommy Eyre.

Harvey who had left briefly in 1976, left the band for good in 1977.

The band disbanded just before the release of the album Rock Drill.

The band were due to start a European Tour which started in Stockholm, Sweden but Alex left the rehearsal studio early as he had seen a Purple Light which means you cannot cross water.

Alex was very superstitious and told the band he could not cross water to start the tour and eventually left the band.

SAHB released a live album titled Zalvation, which was their first official release since Rock Drill with Alex Harvey in 1977, and an autobiography called SAHBSTORY, written by former tour manager and author Martin Keilty.

Glen had a brief spell with guitarist John Martyn where he performed at Glastonbury in 1979.

Glen was also part of Martyn's album Grace and Danger.

After his record deal with Mountain Management expired, Glen was now a free agent to perform with other acts properly and it was around 1980 he was introduced to German rock guitarist Michael Schenker who shot to fame in Scorpions and UFO respectively.

Glen performed on the albums Michael Schenker Group, Assault Attack, Built to Destroy and two live albums: Live at the Budokan with Cozy Powell on drums, and then a few years later Rock Will Never Die with Ted McKenna on drums.

Glen left MSG in 1984 due to Schenker's erratic behaviour with drink and drugs.

Shortly after leaving MSG, Glen formed his first band GMT which consisted of Vocalist Robin MacAulay, ex Motorhead drummer Phil 'Philthy' Taylor, and Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson.

The band released a 4 track EP called Wargames but disbanded shortly after that.

Glen done session work for TV and Radio, as well as working as a bus driver in London.

In 1990, Glen was approached by Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan to be part of the rhythm section of his solo band which would see him pair up once again with SAHB/MSG drummer Ted McKenna and they embarked on a world tour to promote Gillan's solo album Naked Thunder.

This tour also released a live DVD from the tour which was filmed in Nottingham, England.

In 1991, Ted McKenna formed The Party Boys which was a super group of musicians with guest vocalists which featured the likes Alan Thomson on Bass, Zal Cleminson on Guitar, Ronnie Leahy on Keyboards, and vocalists such as Stevie Doherty, Fish, and Dan McCafferty.

This then changed when Ronnie and Alan were unable to do a handful of shows so Ted brought in Glen on bass and SAHB keyboardist Hugh McKenna.

This band lasted about 2 years before they decided to reform as SAHB as the line up was pretty much SAHB (Without Alex).

They stuck with vocalist Stevie Doherty and had relative success in the UK and Europe and also released a live album called Live in Glasgow 93.

The surviving members of SAHB formed several times between 1993 and 2008 with various vocalists.

This line-up of SAHB disbanded in 1995, before reforming in 2002 for a tribute night to Frankie Miller at The Barrowlands in Glasgow with ex Nazareth guitarist Billy Rankin on vocals.

After a year 'Mad' Max Maxwell replaced Rankin on vocals.

The band performed numerous tours and festivals across the UK, Europe, and Australia before once again disbanding in 2008 after the departure of Zal Cleminson on guitar.

The band carried out a handful of shows that were pre-booked with guitarist Julian Hutson Saxby but after that, they decided to move on to separate projects.

In 2008, Glen has formed his own band Chris Glen and the Outfit which featured ex Rainbow vocalist Doogie White, SAHB Frontman Max Maxwell, ex Marianne Faithful guitarist Brian McFie, and ex Texas drummer Ross McFarlane.

The Outfit members changed a lot over the years and some of the musicians included:

Davie Halley - Drums

John McClelland - Drums