Green Bullfrog was a blues album produced by Derek Lawrence and recorded by a makeshift band recorded over two sessions at De Lane Lea Studios, London in 1970, with string and brass overdubs added later.  Due to contractual issues the musicians were listed under pseudonyms such as Boots, Speedy and The Vicar.  Not surprisingly, the album was a commercial failure...until it was learned who the actual musicians were (which resulted in the album being re-released in 1980 and 1991.  The actual lineup:

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Ritchie Blackmore (Boots - because he was always wearing purple suede boots at the time)

Big Jim Sullivan (The Boss - obviously)

Albert Lee (Pinta - because his reply to any suggestion was "I'm only here to deliver the milk")

Rod Alexander (The Vicar) was a virtual unknown mate of Blackmore's who was working in a music shop and delivered some strings but ended up staying to play rhythm guitar

Chas Hodges (Sleepy - because he was always asleep and was difficult to wake up)

Tony Ashton (Bevy- because he always had a crate of light ale under his organ) Matt Fisher (Sorry - because he was always apologising)

Ian Paice (Speedy - because he was the fastest drummer around at the time)

Earl Jordan (Jordan) who was lead singer with the Les Humphries Singers

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The people who were suggested as being on the album but weren't were

Jon Lord after the Trouser Press reissue liner notes stated 'Lord knows the keyboard player is instantly recognisable'

Roger Glover from Deep Purple after Blackmore mischeiviously made a comment about him being on it and the Trouser Press issue put the quote on the front cover "That was me, Albert Lee and Jim Sullivan. Ian Paice and Roger Glover were on it and anyone else who was around at the time".

Harvey Hinsley from Hot Chocolate claims to have been there too but no-one can recall if he was or not although as Lawrence himself states if he had have been there he would surely have played on it.

It has also been suggested that Jeff Beck was on the album but Lawrence himself said" .... the thing that really bugs me is all this Jeff Beck nonsense .... let me state quite catagorically once and for all that Beck is not on this album .... I've never even met the man ...... the bit on 'Bullfrog' that everyone tries to tell me is him is Jim ..."

 

Highlights are My Baby Left Me and the instrumental Bullfrog.