THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH were one of the more stylistically original signings to EMI’s legendary Progressive label Harvest. The band was formed in 1968 and featured brothers Garth and Norman Watt-Roy (who played guitar and bass respectively), along with American vocalist Ozzie Lane, Mick Deacon on Organ, a horn section of Dick Hanson, Tex Philpotts and Ian Aitcheson and drummer Ron Prudence.
Initially beginning life as a Soul outfit, the band’s musical direction changed when vocalist Lane returned home to New Orleans in early 1969. Replaced by Colin Horton-Jennings (who also played guitar and flute), the band began to take on board more "progressive” influences, incorporating rock, jazz and acoustic music into their sound.
An impressive live act, Greatest Show on Earth released their debut album, "Horizons” in February 1970 adorned in a startling Hipgnosis designed sleeve. The album was an excellent work featuring the ambitious eleven minute title track and "Real Cool World” which was released as a single throughout Europe, gaining some chart success on the Continent.

- Colin Horton-Jennings / vocals, flute, guitar, percussion
- Garth Watt-Roy / vocals, guitar
- Norman Watt-Roy / vocals, bass
- Mick Deacon / keyboards
- Ron Prudence / drums, congas
- Dick Hanson / horns
- Tex Phillpots / saxophone
- Ian Aitcheson / woodwinds

HE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH were one of the more stylistically original signings to EMI’s legendary Progressive label Harvest. The band was formed in 1968 and featured brothers Garth and Norman Watt-Roy (who played guitar and bass respectively), vocalist, guitarist and flautist Colin Horton-Jennings, Mick Deacon on Organ, a horn section of Dick Hanson, Tex Philpotts and Ian Aitcheson and drummer Ron Prudence. The band began to take on board more "progressive” influences, incorporating rock, jazz and acoustic music into their sound.
An impressive live act, Greatest Show on Earth released their debut album in February 1970 adorned in a startling Hipgnosis designed sleeve. "The Going’s Easy”, released in November 1970, was an equally competent work that included the excellent rock track ‘Borderline’ and the acoustic ‘Magic Woman Touch’ (later covered by The Hollies). Upon the band’s demise Mike Deacon joined Vinegar Joe (fronted by Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer), Garth Watt-Roy went on to perform and record with Fuzzy Duck. Norman Watt-Roy and John Turnball later became founder members of Ian Dury’s backing group, The Blockheads.

- Mike Deacon / keyboards
- Dick Hanson / horns
- Colin Horton-Jennings / vocals, guitar, drums
- Tex Philpotts / saxophone
- Ron Prudence / congas, drums
- Garth Watt-Roy / vocals, guitar
- Norman Watt-Roy / vocals, bass