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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 ZKURSAAL FLYERSUK pop group named after a ride in a Southend amusement park, formed '74 by Paul Shuttleworth (b 24 Dec. '47, London), vocals; Richie Bull (b 23 Oct. '48, Corringham, Essex), banjo; Will Birch (b 12 Sep. '48, London), drums; Vic Collins (b 10 Sep. '50, Rochford, Essex), pedal steel; Graeme Douglas (b 22 Jan. '50, Rochford), lead guitar; Dave Hatfield, bass. Spotted on London circuit by Jonathan King, singed to his UL label. Each had pedigrees in semi-pro local bands (the Thomahawks, Surly Bird, etc); Bull had toured with USA C&W artists. By Chocs Away '75 Hatfield had left and Bull moved to bass. Songs by Birch (lyrics) and Douglas or Bull (music) were clever enough, but band couldn't make break to big halls; dry prod. of LP didn't help. The Great Artiste '76 fared not much better despite hit potential of "Cruisin' For Love' and "Hit Records'. Moved to CBS '76, teamed with prod. Mike Batt and hit with epic "Little Does She Know' (no. 14 '76): when the balance had been found, trouble struck as Douglas departed for Eddie And The Hot Rods (replaced by Barry Martin), forcing Birch to turn exclusively to Bull for music and losing several degrees of subtlety. Fine LP Golden Mile '76 remained. They switched to prod. Muff Winwood attempting to get a harder sound, but he was too busy to cut the whole LP and the unnecessary Five Live Kursaals '77 came out instead. Collins quit to reform Thomahawk '77, replaced by John Wicks; Shuttleworth quit to go solo; Wicks and Birch formed Records, with limited success in USA; Martin formed label Making Waves. Band re-formed '85 to push compilation In For A Spin, compiled by Birch '83, issued by Edsel: the evidence (incl. unreleased Winwood-prod. tracks) shows classic '60s group born a decade too late. As motley a crew as ever seen on stage, with infl. from rock to folk, country and bluegrass, they were a delight live and a critical success, but didn't sell records. Birch was a house prod. for Stiff/Demon (Long Riders '85). |