The Headboys

Last updated

The Headboys
Origin Scotland
Genres Power pop, new wave
Years active19771980
Labels RSO Records
Past membersLou Lewis
George Boyter
Calum Malcolm
Davy Ross
Bob Heatlie

The Headboys were a Scottish power pop band, formed in 1977 in Edinburgh, Scotland, originally under the name of Badger. [1]

Contents

Career

The band is best known for its single, "The Shape of Things to Come", which entered the UK Singles Chart on 22 September 1979. The track spent eight weeks on the chart, reaching number 45. [2] This secured the band an appearance on Top of the Pops on 11 October 1979; the debut show for host Andy Peebles.

The group released an album in 1979 on Robert Stigwood's RSO label, [1] which was produced by Peter Ker (who also worked with The Motors, and Bram Tchaikovsky).

The lack of any other UK chart hit left them labelled as one-hit wonders. [3]

In 2013, the band announced on their Facebook page that the ten tracks they had recorded for a follow-up album, but which remained unreleased, would be issued on CD under the title The Lost Album by the American record label, Pop Detective Records. [4] The album, issued on 1 December that year, [4] was dedicated to the memory of drummer Davy Ross, who died in November 2010. [5] George Boyter died in September 2022. [6] Bob Heatlie died on 8 April 2023, at the age of 76. [7]

Band members

Discography

Albums

Singles

YearTitleUK
[3]
US
[9] [12]
AUS
[11]
NZ
[13]
NL
[14]
Label Cat #
1977"Biding My Time" / "Stepping Stones" (as Badger)-----MCA 293
1977"Night of Love" / "Don't Wanna Wait Too Long" (as Badger)-----MCA 318
1979"The Shape of Things to Come" / "The Mood I'm in"456789-17RSO 40 - 2090386
1979"Stepping Stones" / "Before Tonight"-----RSO 49 - 2090404
1979"Schoolgirls/ Stepping Stones + Double Vision"----18RSO Holland 2252134
1980"Kickin' the Kans" / "Double Vision + My Favourite DJ"---44-RSO 56 - 2090430
1980"Something's Happening" / "Writing on the Wall"-----Polydor 2040366

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">REO Speedwagon</span> American rock band

REO Speedwagon, or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. The group's best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Human League</span> English synth-pop band

The Human League are an English synth-pop band formed in Sheffield in 1977. Initially an experimental electronic outfit, the group signed to Virgin Records in 1979 and later attained widespread commercial success with their third album Dare in 1981 after restructuring their lineup. The album contained four hit singles, including the UK/US number one hit "Don't You Want Me". The band received the Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act in 1982. Further hits followed throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, including "Mirror Man", "(Keep Feeling) Fascination", "The Lebanon", "Human" and "Tell Me When".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Turtles</span> American rock band

The Turtles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965 and best known for their 1967 hit song "Happy Together". They charted several other top 40 hits, including "It Ain't Me Babe" (1965), "You Baby" (1966), "She'd Rather Be With Me" (1967), "Elenore" (1968) and "You Showed Me" (1969).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simply Red</span> English soul band

Simply Red are a British soul and pop band formed in Manchester in 1985. The band is led by singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall, who, by the time the band initially disbanded in 2010, was the only original member left. Since the release of their debut studio album Picture Book (1985), they have had ten songs reach top 10 in the UK Singles Chart, including "Holding Back the Years" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now", both of which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. They have had five number one albums in the UK, with their 1991 album, Stars, being one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supertramp</span> British rock band

Supertramp were a British rock band that formed in London in 1970. They experienced their greatest global success in 1979 with their sixth album Breakfast in America. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, the group were distinguished for blending progressive rock and pop styles as well as for a sound that relied heavily on Wurlitzer electric piano. The group's lineup changed numerous times throughout their career, with Davies being the only constant member throughout its history. Other longtime members included bassist Dougie Thomson, drummer Bob Siebenberg and saxophonist John Helliwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wizzard</span> British 1970s rock and roll band

Wizzard were an English rock band formed by Roy Wood, former member of the Move and co-founder of the Electric Light Orchestra. The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits states, "Wizzard was Roy Wood just as much as Wings was Paul McCartney." They are most famous for their 1973 Christmas single "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday", which has been played during every Christmas season in the UK since its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video Killed the Radio Star</span> 1978 hit song by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley

"Video Killed the Radio Star" is a song written by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley in 1979. It was recorded concurrently by Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club for their album English Garden and by British new wave/synth-pop group the Buggles, which consisted of Horn and Downes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Capaldi</span> English musician and songwriter (1944–2005)

Nicola James Capaldi was an English singer-songwriter and drummer. His musical career spanned more than four decades. He co-founded the progressive rock band Traffic in 1967 with Steve Winwood with whom he co-wrote the majority of the band's material. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a part of Traffic's original lineup.

Sherbet was one of the most successful Australian rock bands of the 1970s. The 'classic line-up' of Daryl Braithwaite on vocals, Tony Mitchell on bass guitar, Garth Porter on keyboards, Alan Sandow on drums, and Clive Shakespeare on guitar provided their teen-oriented pop style. In 1976 Shakespeare left and was soon replaced by Harvey James. Sherbet's biggest singles were "Summer Love" (1975) and "Howzat" (1976), both reaching number one in Australia. "Howzat" was also a top 5 hit in the United Kingdom. The band was less successful in the United States, where "Howzat" peaked at No. 61. As The Sherbs they also reached No. 61 in 1981 with "I Have the Skill". The group disbanded in 1984. Subsequent re-unions have occurred since 1998.

Blazin' Squad are an English hip hop group. The group had six top ten hits, including "Crossroads", a cover version of the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony original. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic called them the "self-proclaimed pioneers of 'chav' culture".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Dreamin'</span> Single by the Mamas & the Papas

"California Dreamin'" is a song written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips in 1963 and first recorded by Barry McGuire. The best-known version is by the Mamas & the Papas, who sang backup on the original version and released it as a single in December 1965. The lyrics express the narrator's longing for the warmth of Los Angeles during a cold winter in New York City. It is recorded in the key of C-sharp minor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindisfarne (band)</span> English folk rock band

Lindisfarne are an English folk rock band from Newcastle upon Tyne established in 1968. The original line-up comprised Alan Hull, Ray Jackson, Simon Cowe, Rod Clements and Ray Laidlaw (drums).

The Sports were an Australian rock group which performed and recorded between 1976 and 1981. Mainstay members were Stephen Cummings on lead vocals and Robert Glover on bass guitar, with long-term members such as Paul Hitchins on drums, Andrew Pendlebury on lead guitar and vocals, and Martin Armiger on guitar. Their style was similar to both 1970s British pub rock bands and British new wave. The Sports' top forty singles are "Who Listens to the Radio", "Don't Throw Stones", "Strangers on a Train" and "How Come". Their top 20 releases on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart are Don't Throw Stones, Suddenly and Sondra.

D:Ream is a Northern Irish/English pop & dance group. They had a UK No. 1 hit with "Things Can Only Get Better" in 1994. Eight more top 40 hits followed, including "U R the Best Thing" and "Shoot Me with Your Love". They released three albums, two of which reached the UK top five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Tears of a Clown</span> 1970 single by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

"The Tears of a Clown" is a song written by Hank Cosby, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder and originally recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles for the Tamla Records label subsidiary of Motown, first appearing on the 1967 album Make It Happen. The track was re-released in the United Kingdom as a single in July 1970, and it became a #1 hit on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending 12 September 1970. Subsequently, Motown released a partially re-recorded and completely remixed version as a single in the United States as well, where it quickly became a #1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts.

Win were a Scottish pop band from the 1980s, who were best known for the single "You've Got the Power". They are no longer active.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geordie (band)</span> British rock band

Geordie are a British rock band from Newcastle upon Tyne, most notably active in the 1970s. With notable hits, "Don't Do That", "All Because Of You", "Can You Do It", "Electric Lady" and "Goodbye Love".

Bob Heatlie was a Scottish songwriter and record producer who collaborated with many music acts, both bands and solo artists. He was also successful in producing musical scores of television entertainment series.

Pele were an English indie rock band, formed in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England in 1990, by the guitarist and frontman Ian Prowse and keyboard player Andrew Roberts. They were joined by Dally on drums, Jimmy McAllister on bass guitar and finally Nico on violin. Despite never reaching the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, the band built up a loyal live following, but split in 1995 due to a legal wrangle with their record label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Glitter Band</span> English glam rock band

The Glitter Band are a glam rock band from England, who initially worked as Gary Glitter's backing band under that name from 1973, when they then began releasing records of their own. They were unofficially known as the Glittermen on the first four hit singles by Gary Glitter from 1972 to 1973.

References

  1. 1 2 "Myspace". Profile.myspace.com. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  2. Brown, Tony (2002). The Complete Book of the British Charts. London: Omnibus Press. p. 457. ISBN   0-7119-9075-1.
  3. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 247. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  4. 1 2 3 "The Lost Album - The Headboys - Releases". AllMusic . Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  5. "The Shape of Things to Come (Headboys)". Jonkutner.com. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  6. "UK Singles Chart". Forums.deathlist.net. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  7. "Merry Christmas Everyone songwriter dies aged 76". BBC News. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  8. "Lost Bands Of The New Wave Era: The Headboys". Lostbands.blogspot.com. 14 January 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Headboys | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  10. "Results: RPM Weekly". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  11. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 136. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  12. "Lyrics: The Shape Of Things To Come by The Headboys". Top40db.net. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  13. Steffen Hung. "The Headboys - Kickin' The Kans". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  14. "The Headboys - The Shape Of Things To Come | Top 40". Top40.nl. Retrieved 28 January 2016.