Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

NASHVILLE TEENS

UK beat/pop group formed '62 in Weybridge, Surrey. Lineup: Arthur Sharp, vocals; Pete Shannon and John Allen, guitars; Ray Phillips, bass and vocals; John Hawken, keyboards; Barry Jenkins, drums. Played Hamburg clubs '63-4; backed Jerry Lee Lewis at Star Club (a poorly recorded live LP exists). Tour backing Bo Diddley brought them back to UK; Mickie MOST spotted them, prod. cover of John D. Loudermilk's "Tobacco Road' propelled by Hawken's pounding piano, with vocals of Sharp and Phillips prominent, for no. 6 UK/14 USA hit, followed by Loudermilk's "Google Eye' (top 10 UK). They were a noted live attraction, two genuine vocalists making them an original band despite mining overworked R&B lode. But they failed to win good backing from their label, Decca; "Find My Way Back Home' and "This Little Bird' '65 were their final top 40 entries. They continued to gig, reverted to backing USA visitors; Jenkins left '66 to join the Animals while Hawken joined Renaissance, then the Strawbs; another future Renaissance man, guitarist Mick Dunford, passed through. They split '73, re-formed early '80s and reissued "Tobacco Road'; Nashville Teens on New World label '74 contained hits and outtakes; Live At The Red House '82 on Shanghai had Phillips as only original member, with drummer Adrian Metcalf, Len Surtes on bass, Peter Agate on guitar. Decca EPs '64 with "I Need You Baby' and "Parchman Farm' were evidence of an underrated pop band.