An early
progressive rock band, of
Canterbury lineage. Formed by
beatnik-turned-
hippie Daevid Allen (guitar/vocals),
Robert Wyatt (drums/vocals),
Mike Ratledge (organ), and
Kevin Ayers (bass/vocals), it was a
fusion of
rock with
jazz,
poetry, and
60's druggie foole-ishness. Various troubles with
The Man took Allen and Ayers out of the picture; a nucleus of Wyatt, Ratledge, and Hugh Hopper (bass) did the group's best work. Wyatt left (along with the last vestiges of foole), and the Softs became a plain (but still cool) fusion band.