Roger Chapman - Roger Chapman: 'Charlie Whitney Snubbed Family Reunion'

The British prog-rock band split in 1973, but frontman Chapman has reunited his former colleagues for two one-off comeback shows in London next month (Feb13), and the singer has now revealed fellow founding member Whitney will not be taking part.

Chapman admits he asked the guitarist to join the reunion, but he declined the offer.

He tells Britain's Uncut magazine, "I wasn't really surprised. Family was 40 years ago. We've all gone in different directions. Charlie's lived on one of the Greek islands for many years with his partner... I don't hang out with the guys I used to go to school with either... It's a bit like that... Charlie was the first person I asked... But he said, 'I'm happy here, I've got my music, my sunshine, it just sounds like a lot of hard work for a couple of gigs, but have a good time.'"

Chapman adds of the reunion shows, "I just hope for those two nights we don't blow it, I don't think we will, but in the back of your mind you go... 'I hope we don't let them down and we don't let ourselves down.'"

The shows will take place at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on 1 and 2 February (13).