A CONTROVERSIAL pop band is reuniting – 30 years after Ofcom banned their hit song.
Blue Mink – famous for singing Melting Pot – split in 1974 after eight years together.
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It reached number three in the charts, before complaints ruled the 1969 song contained “derogatory references to particular ethnic groups”.
Despite later tracks – including Banner Man and Randy – reaching the top ten, Blue Mink plummeted in popularity.
The band reformed in 1976 with Mike Mordan and recorded a number of singles before splitting again the following year.
Three decades on, lead vocalist Madeline Bell will reunite with singer Roger Cook to perform at Cadogan Hall in London’s Chelsea.
Madeline Bell with the English Chamber Orchestra: Encore! will focus on her gospel roots and her time as a session singer for Dusty Springfield, Joe Cocker and The Rolling Stones before launching Blue Mink.
Media watchdog Ofcom forbid Melting Pot being played “without providing contextual justification”.
It was consequently banned by multiple radio stations.
Reflecting on the ban in an interview with The Daily Mail in 2019, bass guitarist Herbie said: “I suppose we were just rather naïve musicians. Racism and sexism were not part of our consciousness then.
“I don’t think it occurred to any of us there was anything wrong with it. People didn’t say ‘what terrible lyrics’, they thought it was rather catchy.
“Of course, I can see why it wouldn’t be very acceptable now, but as it is there are far worse things played on Radio 1 these days, songs full of obscenities and violence.”
Madeline Bell with the English Chamber Orchestra: Encore!, hosted by Paul Gambaccini, takes place at Cadogan Hall on 13th April. Tickets are on sale now.
