"Happy Anniversary" | ||||
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Single by Little River Band | ||||
from the album Diamantina Cocktail | ||||
B-side | "The Inner Light" "Changed and Different" | |||
Released | December 1977 | |||
Recorded | 1976 | |||
Studio | Armstrong Studios, Melbourne | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:30 (single version) 4:04 (album version) | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) | Beeb Birtles, David Briggs | |||
Producer(s) | Little River Band, John Boylan | |||
Little River Band singles chronology | ||||
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"Happy Anniversary" is a pop music song by Australian group Little River Band, released in territories outside of Australia in December 1977 as the fourth and final single from the group's third studio album, Diamantina Cocktail (April 1977). It was co-written by Beeb Birtles and David Briggs. The song became the band's second top twenty single in the United States, peaking at number 16 in March 1978 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Happy Anniversary" appeared on Australian group Little River Band's third studio album, Diamantina Cocktail (April 1977). [1] [2] It was recorded, with the rest of the album, by the line-up of Beeb Birtles on guitar and vocals, David Briggs on lead guitar, Graeham Goble on guitar and vocals, George McArdle on bass guitar, Derek Pellicci on drums and Glenn Shorrock on vocals at Armstrong Studios, Melbourne with John Boylan and the group producing. [2] [3] "Happy Anniversary" was co-written by Birtles and Briggs. [4]
For the local market, Diamantina Cocktail's singles were, "Help Is on Its Way" (April 1977), "Witchery" (August) and "Home on Monday" (November). [1] For the international market "Happy Anniversary" was issued in December 1977 as the album's second single behind "Help Is on Its Way" (May). [5] In the United States it peaked at number 16 in March 1978 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Julie Meldrum of The Canberra Times reviewed Diamantina Cocktail and observed, "'Witchery', 'LA in the Sunshine' and 'Happy Anniversary' are all catchy numbers although after I had listened to 'Happy Anniversary' a few times the lyrics began to grind and become somewhat banal." [6] AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described how the album, "spawning the hit singles 'Happy Anniversary' and 'Help Is on Its Way'... With its laidback, sweet country-rock, [it] has a similar sound to the band's debut, but the melodies are a little sharper and catchier... better, more fully-rounded collection." [5] Record World said that "an acappella chorus is the chief hook; the style is basic r&b." [7]
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Hot 100 [8] | 16 |
Little River Band (LRB) are a rock band formed in Melbourne, Australia, in March 1975. The band achieved commercial success in both Australia and the United States. They have sold more than 30 million records; six studio albums reached the top 10 on the Australian Kent Music Report albums chart including Diamantina Cocktail and First Under the Wire, which both peaked at No. 2. Nine singles appeared in the top 20 on the related singles chart, with "Help Is on Its Way" (1977) as their only number-one hit. Ten singles reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Reminiscing" their highest, peaking at No. 3.
Beeb Birtles is an Australian musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has been a member of various Australian groups including Zoot (1967–71), Mississippi (1972–74), Little River Band (1975–83) and Birtles Shorrock Goble (2002–07). He has also worked as a solo artist, including releasing an album, Driven by Dreams (2000). In 2004, Birtles and other members of the classic line-up of Little River Band were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Diamantina Cocktail is the third studio album by the Australian rock group Little River Band, released in May 1977. It peaked at No. 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart and reaching No. 49 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified Gold in the U.S. by the RIAA in January 1978 for over 500,000 copies sold.
Graeham George Goble, is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter and record producer, best known as a founding member of Australian rock group Little River Band and Birtles Shorrock Goble.
Birtles Shorrock Goble are an Australian pop/rock group composed of the three original singers and songwriters of Little River Band, namely Beeb Birtles, Glenn Shorrock and Graeham Goble. The members are known for their extensive writing and performance of hit songs and distinctive vocal harmonies. They are sometimes referred to by the initials BSG.
Monsoon is the tenth studio album by Australian group, Little River Band, with Glenn Shorrock returning as lead singer after John Farnham left the group to release his solo album Whispering Jack. The album was released in May 1988 and peaked at number nine on the Kent Music Report albums chart.
Time Exposure is the sixth studio album by Little River Band (LRB), which was recorded with producer George Martin at Associated Independent Recording (AIR) in Montserrat and released in September 1981. It peaked at No. 9 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. In the United States, it reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200.
First Under the Wire is the fifth studio album by Australian group Little River Band, released in July 1979 by Capitol Records. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart and at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, becoming the group's highest-charting album in that territory. The album included two top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits in "Lonesome Loser" and "Cool Change".
After Hours is the second studio album from the Australian rock band Little River Band, released in April 1976. It peaked at No. 5 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart.
Uncovered is a solo studio album by British-born Australian singer John Farnham, produced by Little River Band's Graeham Goble, and released on 3 July 1980, which peaked at No. 20 on the Australian Kent Music Report album chart and was certified gold in 1981.
Backstage Pass is a first live album by Australian group Little River Band. The album was recorded by the Australian Broadcasting Commission at the Adelaide Festival Theatre in November 1978 and released in October 1979. It peaked at No. 18 on the Australian Kent Music Report
"Cool Change" is a song by Australian rock group Little River Band written by lead singer Glenn Shorrock. It was released in August 1979 the second single from their sixth album, First Under the Wire. The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of 19 January 1980.
Birtles & Goble were an Australian pop music duo composed of Beeb Birtles and Graeham Goble. Although they were both full-time members of Little River Band during the late 1970s and early 80s, they also released an album and three singles as a duo between 1978 and 1980.
Live Exposure is a video by Little River Band, filmed at a live concert at The Summit in Houston, Texas on 7 October 1981.
We Two Pty Ltd v Shorrock (2002) was presided by Justice Raymond Finkelstein of the Federal Court of Australia, Melbourne to determine the ownership of the name, Little River Band, its trademarks, logos and associated assets. We Two Pty Ltd, the applicant, was established in 1987 and had been solely owned by Stephen Housden of the music group, Little River Band since 1998. The respondents, Glenn Shorrock, Gerard Bertelkamp and Graeham Goble, were all founding members of the same group, in 1975. Housden had joined them in 1981.
It's a Long Way There (Greatest Hits) is the first compilation album by the Australian group Little River Band, released in Australia and New Zealand in September 1978. The album peaked at No. 4 on the Australian Kent Music Report albums chart and No. 12 in New Zealand. The album sold over 200,000 copies in Australia. Retitled It's a Long Way There (1975–1979) it was re-issued in Germany for the European market in 1979.
Stephen Frank Housden is an English-born Australian musician. He joined the rock group Little River Band (LRB) in 1981 on lead guitar and vocals and ceased performing with them in 2006. Previously, Housden had worked as a session musician for various Australian artists. During the 1970s he was a member of Stevie Wright's band and Marcia Hines' touring and session bands. Housden released his debut solo album, New World Groove, in 1993.
George McArdle is an Australian bass guitarist. He came from a violent, abusive background and was drawn to alcohol, fighting, theft and rock music.