 "The Battle Of NW6" in 1969 further enhanced his club reputation, although chart success still eluded him.By the time of the third album both Lowther and Jewell had departed; however, Hartley always maintained that his band was like a jazz band, in that musicians could come and go and would be free to play with other aggregations.After that Hartley released a 'solo' album ("Lancashire Hustler", 1973) and then he formed Dog Soldier with Miller Anderson (guitar), Paul Bliss (bass), Derek Griffiths (guitar) and Mel Simpson (keyboards).