And speaking of Terry Riley’s Rainbow in Curved Air, it’s where nearly forgotten 70s British prog/folk/rock group, Curved Air got their name. Led by gorgeous (and sometimes scantily-clad) vocalist/songwriter Sonja Kristina (formerly in The Strawbs and the West End production of Hair), Curved Air was known for their innovative use of the violin and Moog synthesizer. The group had an ever-changing cast of characters including Eddie Jobson (Roxy Music, Frank Zappa), Stewart Copeland, latter of the Police and 801‘s Francis Monkman). Copeland was originally the band’s roadie and was married to Kristina from 1982 to 1991.

Sonja Kristina later became active in London’s “acid folk” scene and has reformed Curved Air for live performances from time to time. A 2011 reunion tour with key members of the group has been announced on the Curved Air website.

Here they are on a TV show from Belgium in 1972 singing “Melinda (More or Less)”:
 

 
The Jefferson Airplane-influenced “Marie Antoinette”:
 

 
Curved Air’s biggest hit, “Backstreet Luv”:
 

 
An extended 2008 interview with Sonja Kristina: