White Plains during a studio performance of "Julie Do Ya Love Me?" on Top of the Pops on 19 November 1970. From L-R: Ricky Wolff (keyboard), Pete Nelson (vocals), Robin Box (guitar), Roger Hills (drums), Robin Shaw (bass)
White Plains were a British pop music group that existed from 1969 to 1976. They had an ever-changing line-up of musicians and five UK hit singles, all on the Deram Records label, in the early 1970s.[1][2]
The spinoff of the one hit wonder group The Flower Pot Men, White Plains’ first hit came in 1970 with “My Baby Loves Lovin'”. Their later successful songs include “I’ve Got You on My Mind”, “Lovin’ You Baby”, “Julie, Do Ya Love Me”, “When You Are a King” and “Step Into a Dream”. After “When You Are A King” peaked at number four in Northern Ireland, the group would not release a chart-worthy song for another two years, until they released “Step Into a Dream”.
White Plains disbanded in 1976, but was reformed on three occasions: briefly in 1978, again for a two year run from 2004 to 2006, and finally for a summer tour in 2013. White Plains is also known for being one of the groups Tony Burrows recorded a series of one-hit wonder songs with.
History
1969–1970: Transition from The Flower Pot Men to White Plains
In early 1969, Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook, in place of John Carter, became the group's new producers. The last single of the Flower Pot Men for Deram Records was “In A Moment Of Madness”, composed by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook, with Pete Nelson on lead vocals. It was an attempt at a hit single in the style of the then popular Love Affair. The single did not chart and for the next single the band's name was changed to White Plains. The band's songs were mainly produced and written by Greenaway and Roger Cook.[1] With idea of having White Plains be a professional band, all but Neil Landon were on board to do so, as he left to form Fat Mattress. Ricky Wolff, who was originally a backing band member, replaced Neil Landon and became a new main vocalist.
1970: My Baby Loves Lovin’ fame
White Plains released several hit songs, starting off with 1970's "My Baby Loves Lovin'" (No. 9 in the UK, No. 13 on the US charts and No. 4 in Canada). The group's top-selling song "My Baby Loves Lovin'", was recorded on 26 October 1969, and was released on 2 January 1970 on the Decca Records imprint, Deram Records. It was written and produced by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook. The song has been featured on many CDs, including various White Plains compilations. During early 1970, Ricky Wolff was unable to attend concerts or television appearances, meaning Roger Greenaway would usually step in as lead singer. Of the group's many appearances on Top of the Pops, only one, a performance of My Baby Loves Lovin’ on 26 February 1970, is known to have survived the BBC’s Wiping process. In this performance, and their first appearance on the show on 12 February 1970, Roger Greenaway can be seen in Ricky Wolff’s place as lead singer.
White Plains performing My Baby Loves Lovin’ on 12 February 1970. From left to right: Roger Greenaway, Pete Nelson, Robin Shaw, Tony Burrows. Due to Ricky Wolff being unavailable to attend the taping of the show, Roger Greenaway stepped in as lead singer.
"My Baby Loves Lovin'" vocals controversy
There is some debate over who sang lead vocals on the song. It was believed for many years that Tony Burrows was the lead vocalist on the track; however, various sources have claimed that band member Ricky Wolff was the lead vocalist. When the tune was released, the band claimed in an article that Tony Burrows did not sing lead on the single; the lead vocals on the track, however, were performed by Wolff, with Burrows as a background singer. According to the liner notes of the group's compilation album The Deram Records Singles Collection: "Contrary to popular myth, we are assured that the lead vocals were performed by Ricky Wolff, with Tony Burrows doubling him on the chorus".
White Plains producer Roger Greenaway has also confirmed Ricky Wolff was the lead vocals on the recording of "My Baby Loves Lovin'", in an official letter, written and signed by him.[3]
A promotional film of "My Baby Loves Lovin'" features bassist Robin Shaw as lead singer, miming over Ricky Wolff’s vocals.
1970–1973: New personnel changes and other hits
White Plains' second single, "I've Got You on My Mind", which featured Pete Nelson on lead vocals, was a UK hit, reaching number 17. "Lovin' You Baby" featuring Ricky Wolff on lead vocals reached number 35 in Canada in mid to late 1970. "Julie Do Ya Love Me" featuring Pete Nelson on lead vocals reached number 8 on the UK singles charts.
In mid 1970, original backing band members Roger Hills and Robin Box were added to the line-up. This new personnel of Wolff, Nelson, Box, Shaw, and Hills would become their most recognisable line-up, as well as the line-up that preceded Wolff's departure in mid 1971, that included newcomer Ron Reynolds on organ and keyboard. From the spring to the autumn of 1970, Scottish musician Brian Johnston (born 3 March 1945, Bathgate, Scotland) (not to be confused with the AC/DC singer), was a keyboardist for the group.[4]
The White Plains line-up of Wolff, Nelson, Box, Shaw, Hills, and Johnston performed "My Baby Loves Lovin'" at the NME Poll Winners concert on 3 May 1970.[5]
One of their next big charting songs was 1971's "When You Are a King" featuring Pete Nelson on lead vocals (number 13 on the UK Singles Chart)[2] that was translated to Hebrew and covered by the Israeli singer, Shlomo Artzi. When You Are A King has been covered by a large numbers of acts in the following years.
1973–1976: Step into a Dream and disbandment
The 1973 hit "Step into a Dream" was used in the British television commercials for Butlins' holiday camps. Featuring Pete Nelson on lead vocals. "Step into a Dream" peaked at number 21 in the United Kingdom, and was a top 10 in Ireland, landing at number 9. Their sudden burst into the limelight again gave the group new appearances on television, including Top of the Pops, their first appearance on the show in nearly two years. In late 1973, Shaw left the group and was subsequently replaced by Edison Lighthouse member David Kerr-Clemenson (born 1951).[6]
With a line-up of Pete Nelson (vocals), Ron Reynolds (keyboard), Robin Box (guitar), Roger Hills (drums), Tex Marsh (percussions), Dave Fulford (guitar) and Tony Sullivan (bass), White Plains disbanded in 1976.
Reunions
In 1978, Pete Nelson and Robin Box briefly reformed the group to record two more singles for PVK records.[7]
A reformed version containing Roger Hills, Robin Shaw and Box was active from 2004 to 2006. In the Spring of 2013, another reunion for touring took place with Tony Burrows, Robin Shaw, and Roger Hills.
Former members later lives
Tony Burrows in concert. Taken on 17 May 2008.
Burrows and Shaw met again in 1974 in First Class, another John Carter project that scored worldwide with their single, "Beach Baby". As of 2023, Burrows remains active as a solo artist.
David Kerr-Clemenson joined rock group Fast Buck in 1975, and toured with them for another thirty-nine years.[6]
Ricky Wolff later joined Harley Quinne and lent his lead vocals on their UK Top 20 hit single, “New Orleans”. Harley Quinne was an UK act created by British songwriting and production team, Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, as a promotional vehicle for a 1972 song entitled ”New Orleans”, a cover of the Gary ‘U.S.’ Bonds original. It was originally recorded by a phalanx of session players with Ricky Wolff as the session singer. Wolff worked as a musician and produced a few albums in his own groups after he returned to his country of origin, South Africa, in the mid 1970s and produced a few solo singles in 1981.[8] Wolff would go on to work as a record producer and songwriter and in 2013, released the single “Goodbye Nelson Mandela”, in tribute to the South African president Nelson Mandela who had passed away at the time. On 1 October 2023, Wolff died in South Africa, at the age of 78.[9] A speaker at Wolff’s funeral gave his cause of death as septicaemia.[10]
Julian Bailey died in July 2001, aged 58. Pete Nelson retired from the music industry in the late 1970s. He died on 23 October 2005 aged 62 from cancer.[11]Neil Landon moves to Germany and sang as a solo artist. He died on 26 March 2020 aged 78, also from cancer.
Crucible
In 1971, a music project began production in London. The project contained many members of White Plains; those being Ricky Wolff, Robin Shaw, and Robin Box, and later Julian Bailey. Several tracks were recorded at AIR Studios in London under the production of Roger Cook. The songs were shelved after being deemed not commercial enough by the production company and an album was never released. In late 1971, filmmakers Tony Klinger and Michael Lytton, searching for music for an upcoming documentary, visited several publishing companies and overall publishers on Denmark Street, one of them being Dick James, who had recently acquired Cookaway Music. Three of Ricky Wolff’s tracks were included on the documentaries soundtrack, along with one by Robin Shaw.[12]
A few additional songs were recorded at Morgan Studios and involved former White Plains drummer, Julian Bailey. At some point, the decision was made to combine the recording at AIR, with the ones recorded at Morgan Studios into one and was given the name Crucible. The soundtrack, was originally released on LP in 1972. On 7 April 2017, the soundtrack was released for the first time on Compact Disc.[12]
Members
Member history
The first line-up of White Plains consisted of Ricky Wolff, Tony Burrows, Pete Nelson, Robin Shaw, Robin Box and Roger Hills. Tony Burrows left in early 1970 to focus more on his works with Brotherhood of Man and Edison Lighthouse. In mid 1970, Brian Johnston joined on keyboard. Johnston left after a few months, and Ron Reynolds joined in 1971, giving the group their most well known line-up. Ricky Wolff left the group in mid 1971, and lead vocals were now split between members. The following two years would contain the stable member line-up of Shaw, Nelson, Box, Reynolds, and Hills. When Shaw left in late 1973, he was briefly replaced by Derek Burgess (later member of Vanity Fare), before he was succeeded by David Kerr-Clemenson, and then Tony Sullivan. Also in 1973, Dave Fulford, Tex Marsh were added into the band. With Pete Nelson and Robin Box the longest serving and original member, the group ended in 1976.
In 1978, Nelson and Box recreated White Plains to release two new singles, although it is not known if any other musicians were in this brief line-up, and if so, were likely left uncredited. The two revivals of the group in the 2000s contained Burrows, Shaw, Box, and Hills.
Personnel
Key members are texted in Bold
Pete Nelson, vocals, piano (1969–1976, 1978) (born Peter William Lipscomb, 10 March 1943, Uxbridge, London – died 23 October 2005, Ealing, London)
Robin Shaw, bass (1969-late1973, 2004–2006, 2013) (born Robin George Scrimshaw, 6 October 1943, Hayes, Middlesex)
Ricky Wolff, vocals, guitars, keyboards, flute, saxophone (1969–1971) (8 July 1945, Pretoria, South Africa – 1 October 2023, South Africa)[9]
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s. They won the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me".
The Flower Pot Men were an English pop group created in 1967 as a result of the single, "Let's Go to San Francisco", recorded by session musicians, becoming a major UK Top 20 and Continental Europe hit in the autumn of 1967. The group's sound was characterised by rich, three-part vocal harmonies.
Anthony Burrows is an English pop singer and recording artist. As a prolific session musician, Burrows was involved in several transatlantic hit singles throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, most of which were one-hit wonders, including "Love Grows " by Edison Lighthouse, "United We Stand" by Brotherhood of Man, "My Baby Loves Lovin'" by White Plains, "Gimme Dat Ding" by The Pipkins and "Beach Baby" by The First Class. During 1970, four singles by four different acts with whom he performed all charted at or near the top of the UK Singles Chart and additionally reached the top 20 in the United States.
Edison Lighthouse are an English pop band, formed in London in 1969. The band was best known for their 1970 hit single "Love Grows " recorded in late 1969.
The First Class were a British pop music studio-based group, put together by songwriter and record producer John Carter. They are best known for their hit song "Beach Baby," a top 20 hit in both the US and UK, and #1 in Canada..
Gimme Dat Ding is a split album by The Sweet and The Pipkins, released on EMI's budget record label, MFP in 1970. It is named after the 1970 song "Gimme Dat Ding" by the Pipkins. In the US, The Pipkins released a full album of the same name, consisting of the six songs here and an additional four. It charted at No.132.
Roger Frederick Cook is an English singer, songwriter and record producer, who has written many hit records for other recording artists. He has also had a successful recording career in his own right.
Roger John Reginald Greenaway, is an English singer, songwriter and record producer, best known for his collaborations with Roger Cook and Tony Burrows. His compositions have included "You've Got Your Troubles" and the transatlantic million selling songs "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing " and "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress". They were the first UK songwriting partnership to be granted an Ivor Novello Award as 'Songwriters of the Year' in two successive years.
"Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" is the debut single by Edison Lighthouse. The song reached the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart on the week ending 31 January 1970, where it remained for a total of five weeks. It also became the first number one single of the 1970s (not counting Rolf Harris's "Two Little Boys" which was a holdover from 1969).
"Border Song" is a song by Elton John with music by John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. The song initially appeared on the 1970 album Elton John, and was released in the spring of 1970 as the LP's first single. After failing to chart in the UK, it was released in North America a few months later. It met with more success there, especially in Canada, where it peaked at No. 34. The appearance of "Border Song" on the Canadian charts was John's first chart appearance in any country.
John Nicholas Shakespeare, known as John Carter, is an English singer, songwriter, and record producer.
"You've Got Your Troubles" was the inaugural composition by the prolific songwriting team of Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway in 1964. "You've Got Your Troubles" became a number 2 UK hit for the Fortunes in the United Kingdom in August 1965, affording the group international success including a Top Ten ranking in the US. The track was included on the Fortunes' self-titled 1965 debut album release, the group's only album release of the 1960s.
The Pipkins were a short-lived English novelty duo, best known for their hit single "Gimme Dat Ding", which reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Charts, No. 7 in Canada, and No. 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970.
United We Stand is the debut album by The Brotherhood of Man. It was released in 1970 on Deram.
We're the Brotherhood of Man is the second album by British pop group The Brotherhood of Man in their early incarnation on Deram Records. It was released in April 1972 and featured the US hit "Reach Out Your Hand".
Born Late is the second studio album by American singer Shaun Cassidy. The album was released in 1977 following the success of Cassidy's self-titled debut album.
"My Baby Loves Lovin'" was first released by the British pop group White Plains. The song was written and produced by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, recorded on 26 October 1969, and released on 2 January 1970 on the Decca Records imprint, Deram Records. It is a world-wide chart success and the top selling single for White Plains.
"Doctor's Orders" is a song written by Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway and Geoff Stephens which, in 1974, was a hit in the UK for Sunny of Sue and Sunny; in the US the song was a hit for Carol Douglas.
"Lovin' Her Was Easier " is a song written, composed, first recorded, and first released by Kris Kristofferson. It was also recorded and released by Roger Miller, who included it on his album The Best of Roger Miller and released it as a single in July 1971. Ten years later, it was recorded by Tompall & the Glaser Brothers for the album Lovin' Her Was Easier.
"When You Are a King" is a 1971 pop song by British band White Plains. It was written by John and Roger Hill, in contrast to most White Plains songs that were written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. Produced by Roger Greenaway. Featuring Pete Nelson on lead vocals.
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