The Lightning Raiders formed in August 1977 with an original lineup featuring Johnny Hodge (known as Little John) on guitar, Andy Allan on guitar/vocals, ex-Pink Fairies Duncan ('Danger Sun') Sanderson on bass/vocals, Jorge Panchito on drums and Michael Wilding on saxophone.
"[4] Sanderson recalled, "Twink came round my house and dragged me down the studio while I was still asleep one morning, and Little John Hodge just came along to deliver a guitar.
The band had a loose membership policy, at one time joining Larry Wallis and Duncan Sanderson onstage as The Pink Fairies with Little John and Jorge Panchito completely unrehearsed to fulfil concert obligations.
[12] This was to be a preview of the forthcoming LP Sweet Revenge, but in December 1981 they were dropped by the label, making the soon deleted EP very rare.
Jansch repaid the favour by appearing on Hodge's solo CD La Luna as second guitarist on a number of tracks.
[17][18] In 2009, Hodge visited New York to reunite with Gass Wild for two 'Lightning Raiders' reunion shows with guest American musicians,[19] to promote a forthcoming documentary and book Lost Rockers,.
[citation needed] Andy Allan has been active playing with folk combo Hank Dogs,[21][22] releasing two CDs and touring with Joan Baez.