Ranata Spirit Mk1 were originally a psychedelic band formed in 1982. Consisting of Mark Wellstead on bass, Chris Phillips on guitar and Tony Harrison on drums. The band split after six months having never played a gig. Later that year Chris Phillips switched to bass and brought together a new version of the band, moving towards a progressive rock direction, with Martin Thacker on drums, John Hough on guitar and vocals (replaced by Stuart Aylmer for the last gig), George Jaggethesen(?) on vocals and John Warnes on Hammond organ. This version played a handful of gigs, culminating with a slot at the Peaceful Green Fair in Earham Park on 2nd July 1983. The band split again with members all wishing to pursue other interests, but Phillips continued and formed Mk3 of Ranata Spirit, this time with Mark Richards on guitar, Sam Elmhirst on keyboards, Mark Standley on drums and Dave Dack on vocals. The band made a small splash on the Norwich music scene, releasing a four track cassette EP titled 'The End of the Wood' and playing a handful of gigs as well as picking up some reviews in NWOBPR (New Wave of British Progressive Rock) magazines. Their last gig was at the Cap and Gown in Gorleston on the 26th May 1984 but had been due to support prog-folk rockers from Milton Keynes 'Solstice' at the Studio Theatre in Norwich on June 2nd. However, just a day before the gig one member of the band refused to play citing "not being ready" as the reason, and this led to the band splitting up. Phillips and Richards then went on to form The Ire (Mk1) before splitting in early 1985 due to other committments.
Ranata Spirit (Mk3) taken December 1983 in Wymondham. Left to right: Dave Dack, Mark Standley, Sam Elmhirst, Mark Richards, Chris Phillips.
