Wurzels (Adge Cutler)

WURZELS. Scrumpy and Western band from Somerset best known for their 1976 UK No1 hit single "The Combine Harvester". They first formed in 1966 as a backing group for, and by, singer / songwriter Adge Cutler. With a thick Somerset accent, he played on his West Country roots, singing many folk songs with local themes such as cider making (and drinking). During the latter half of the 1960s, the band became immensely popular regionally and the release of the single "Drink Up Thy Zider" in 1966 led to national fame and it reaching number 45 in the UK chart. A number of live albums were recorded at local pubs and clubs during this period. Adge Cutler died on May 5th 1974 aged 43 after falling asleep at the wheel of his MGB sports car which then overturned on a roundabout near the Severn Bridge. He had been returning home alone from a Wurzels show in Hereford earlier that evening.