[3] Initially just calling themselves Velvet Opera, they developed their full name when Terry took to wearing a cape and preacher's hat in the style of the title character in the 1960 film adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' novel Elmer Gantry.
The band reverted to the name Velvet Opera, took on 12-string guitarist John Joyce, and released a second album, Ride a Hustler's Dream.
This again failed to achieve success, and in 1970 Ford left (to be replaced by Colin Bass), followed by Richard Hudson, both of them joining The Strawbs shortly afterwards.
In 1971, Forster and Bass formed a new version of Velvet Opera with ex–Tintern Abbey vocalist Dave MacTavish and drummer Mike Fincher.
Later, Gantry recorded with The Alan Parsons Project and sang lead vocals on the tracks "May Be a Price to Pay" on The Turn of a Friendly Card and "Psychobabble" on Eye in the Sky.