A song better known in the UK than in America, the lead singer Eddie Grant went onto a big trans-Atlantic hit from the early 80's, "Electric Avenue".
From Wikipedia: " The Equals were a group from North London, England. "Baby Come Back" is a mixture of rock and roll and beat, very much reflecting the London sound of the 1960s. The song was first released in 1966, a year after the band formed, but did not chart. However after impressive sales in the rest of Europe (it reached the top 10 in Belgium and The Netherlands[1]) the song was re-issued in the UK on 1 May 1968 and reached #1 in the UK Singles Chart on 6 July 1968 spending three weeks there.[2] In all the song stayed in the UK Top 75 for 18 weeks.[2]"
These I have never heard before Doug yet it's interesting to hear some of these tunes of the past.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to find these treasures. I glad I could find a good video to go with it, Jack.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is Doug I listened to it and well joking - it's not the beatles yet .... :)
ReplyDeleteBaby Come Back is an awesome song. Eddy Grant is a curate's egg for me, but this is definitely on of the good bits.
ReplyDeleteI used to work with an quiet unassuming guy who was a schoolmate of Eddy Grant's and who used to meet up with him for a drink and a smoke every other month or so, when we worked together in the late 80s... which to me was amazing - Grant was an international popstar, Don was a gentle giant afro-caribbean telecoms engineer.
Vaguely remember this. When I saw the song title, I was expecting "Baby Come Back" from the 70s by Player.
ReplyDeleteOh, Doug - this is a *find*!!!
ReplyDeleteEddie Grant is one of the underrated acts of the '80's - 'Electric Avenue' is still one of my faves....
You're right Will. One more reason to really love You Tube.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Christy. That's another nice song.
ReplyDeleteI guess "Baby Come Back" is a popular male lament. :-)
Yeah, Ian, I hadn't heard this one so a new "oldie" is always a great find. Why it wasn't a hit in the USA baffles me but there it is.
ReplyDeleteI 'm always interested in the evolution of hit records from that time.
Thanks for sharing that anecdote about your friend. Some people who become successful keep in touch with friends and others, like a friend of mine who produced one album and thought he'd made it big--he didn't--cut everybody from his past that couldn't help his music career.
I wonder if those two ever crossed paths again after Eddie Grant made it big?
Anyway, a great song. :-)
Sorry - maybe I didn't explain very well Doug. This was during Eddy's period of biggest success... and yet when he was in London he would always catch up with Donovan.
ReplyDeleteI see.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's good to hear about Eddy Grant, Ian.
Ah yes the very start of the 2-tone movement in British pop music which really took-off in the late70s especially in the West Midlands with local bands like The Specials, The Selecter and The Beat all showcasing multi-culturalism. Good choice Doug!
ReplyDeleteThanks AA. I think this is one of the earliest multi-cultural bands in the Anglosphere of rock and roll I'm aware about. Those other bands are terrific too.
ReplyDelete