Tony Rivers & the Castaways
Harmony Grass began as Tony Rivers & the Castaways, that had been formed in 1960. [4] Originally fronted by Bobby Rio, he was replaced by Tony Rivers in late 1961 after being hired by bassist Ray Brown. [4] Their first studio recordings consisted of the lineup of Tony Rivers (vocals), Ray Brown (bass), Vic Larkins (guitar), Mickey Johnson (guitar) and Brian Talbot (drums) which resulted in their first two singles. [4]
Larkins left the band shortly after and worked at a Barking Power Station, and soon after Johnson followed; they were replaced by John Lyons and Rick Westwood, Westwood left after a few weeks to join The Tremeloes and was replaced by Steve Scott. [5] The lineup changed again and by 1963/1964 the lineup was Rivers, Brown, Lyons and new members Tony Harding (guitar), Kenny Rowe (backing vocals) and Brian Hudson (drums). [5]
By 1967, the band was now Rivers and Brown with three members hired from another band The Sugarbeats, Martin Shear (backing vocals), John Perry (guitar) and Geoff Swettenham (drums), who later brought his brother Pete Swettenham on guitar. [5] Perry and the Swettenham brothers left the band a few months later and formed Grapefruit. [5] Former members Tony Harding, Kenny Rowe and Brian Hudson all rejoined the band, along with guitarist Tom Marshall. [5]
In total, the Castaways recorded six singles for EMI from 1963 to 1966.
Harmony Grass
In October 1968, the band were wanting to change their style, and felt that their long name was possibly holding them back from selling records. [6] They changed their name to Harmony Grass. Tony Harding left the band and was replaced by Tony Ferguson. [6]
They signed to RCA Records about a year after they formed, and their single "Move in a Little Closer" hit No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1969. [7] The song took five takes and five vocal arrangements, and used an orchestra that featured Clem Cattini on drums. [8] They released one album, This Is Us, in 1969, on the RCA label, [3] and performed in the UK, including at London's Marquee Club.
Brian Hudson had left before the name change and was replaced by Bill Castle, who wasn't in Harmony Grass for a long time but did play drums on "Move in a Little Closer"; he was replaced by Hudson again mid way through recording their album. [6]
In July/August 1970, Rivers played his last gig with Harmony Grass before leaving, his replacment was Joe Williams. [9] By late 1970, Harmony Grass had disbanded. [10]
