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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZFLAMIN' GROOVIES, TheUS pop band formed in San Francisco '65. Original lineup: Cyril Jordan (b '48), Tim Lynch (b 18 July '46), Roy Loney (b 13 April '46), guitars (all b San Francisco; Loney also vocalist); George Alexander (b 18 May '46, San Mateo CA), bass. Formed at height of British Invasion; first called Chosen Few, then Lost and Found; soldiered on best part of two decades staying true to three-minute pop songs and Anglophiles to a man. Drummer Danny Mihm (ex-Whistling Shrimp) replaced Ron Greco when Jordan and Lynch returned from a visit to Holland; disinterest of record companies in a guitar-based band kept them out of studios until they financed 10]im[ LP Sneakers themselves '69, sold 2,000 copies on Snazz label; Epic signed them to record Supersnazz '70 (reissued on Edsel '86). More permanent contract with Kama Sutra; moved to NYC to record Flamingo and Teenage Head '71, garage classics later revered by punks and pub-rockers alike (latter's title track covered by Duck Deluxe). But Lynch and Loney departed, former arrested for draft-dodging, latter to go solo, replaced by James Farrell, Chris Wilson (b 10 Sep. '52, Waltham MA; ex-Loose Gravel). The next six years punctuated only by the odd single, a live EP on Skydog and USA classic 'You Tore Me Down' on Bomp. Band relocated to UK to try to build on reputation there; Terry Rae, then David Wright replaced Mihm; at Rockfield studios in Wales a renaissance took place under rock'n'roller Dave Edmunds, who prod. Shake Some Action '76 and recaptured magic of yore: title track a hit in Europe. Now '78 was again on Sire, repeated formula to lesser effect, mixing covers (Byrds' 'Feel A Whole Lot Better') with pre-worn originals. Buddah cashed in, reissued early material as Still Shakin' '76; Groovies revelled in adulation of new wave. Jumpin' In The Night '79 prod. by Roger Bechirian, Elvis Costello's engineer; featured new guitarist Mike Wilhelm, who'd joined for Now. Wilson was sacked early '80s, joined short-lived London-based psychedelic popsters the Barracudas. A fun band who kept pop flag waving throughout. |