3-2-1 (THE SKI SONG)
Wayne Fontana
Wayne Fontana (a.k.a. Glyn Geoffrey Ellis) emerged as the lead singer for Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders with Eric Stewart on guitar, Bob Lang on bass, and Ric Rothwell on drums in about April of 1964. Beginning as a rhythm ‘n’ blues band they released four...
Wax
In the early ’80’s, it was suggested by Lenny Waronker at 10cc’s U.S. record label, Warners, that Andrew Gold (who was already known in his own right for songs such as “Lonely Boy” and “Never Let Her Slip Away“), be invited to join 10cc to inject an American flavour. ...
Tony Christie
Excerpts from a special feature on 29th January 2011 in Music Week called “It’s Time For Tony” written by Johnny Black. On 2nd August 2002, Tony Christie enjoyed a good laugh, watching Max and Paddy on Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, belt out Christie’s Seventies hit...
The Who
The first time The Who toured in the U.S.A. was when they opened (rather incongruously) for Herman’s Hermits on their 1967 tour which began on 14th July 1967 in Portland, Oregon. This tour marked young Bruce Springsteen‘s first ever rock concert and left an indelible...
The Mockingbirds
In late 1964, Graham Gouldman met Kevin Godley in Crumpsall, Manchester, U.K. at the Jewish Lads’ Brigade where bands rehearsed. They formed The Mockingbirds with Stephen Jacobson on guitar and Bernard Basso on bass becoming the warm-up band for a new show called Top...
The Measels
I managed The Measles, a Manchester band who released four singles over four years, best known for their version of “Casting My Spell on You”. The B-side “Bye Birdie Fly” had similar driving R ‘n’ B stylings, but despite a strong sound achieved little commercial...
The Herd
The Herd was a complicated outfit. Originally formed in 1965, after many line-up changes within the band, Andrew Bown, (now in Status Quo), assumed lead vocals with Peter Frampton dipping in. They hit No.5 in the U.K. in 1968 with ‘I Don’t Want Our Loving To Die’ . ....
Solomon King
Solomon King (a.k.a Allen Levy) was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1930 and was 6’ 8” (over 2m) tall with an amazingly powerful voice. He was the first white singer to open for Billie Holiday when he was on the circuit in the U.S. and he also worked as one of Elvis...