The LOVE AFFAIR scored a UK No.1 hit with their first single EVERLASTING LOVE in January 1968. Their next singles followed a similar pattern, and they all reached the top 20 charts. With Amen Corner, Marmalade and the Tremeloes, they were undoubtedly the giants of the 1968-1969 pop scene. This biography chronicles the spectacular history of the band.
The LOVE AFFAIR started out as the Soul Survivors in 1966. Drummer Maurice Bacon’s father, Sid Bacon, placed ads in Melody Maker to form the band for his son. The ads recruited Steve Ellis (vocals) and Morgan Fisher (keyboards) and later on Mick Jackson (bass) and Rex Brayley (guitar) Sid Bacon was also the bands manager. In the beginning of 1966 the band cut some demos, which were never released. By the time they signed to Decca Records in November 1966 they had changed their name to "the Love Affair" after a popular TV-series.
Their first recording for Decca was "Woman Woman", cut at Abbey Road with Kenny Lynch writing and producing but it was never released. For their next session they roped in Mike Vernon as producer and recorded "She Smiled Sweetly", a Jagger/Richards composition from the Rolling Stones' "Between The Buttons" LP. It was issued as a single in February 1967 but failed to chart.
Island A&R Muff Winwood (ex Spencer Davis Group) took a liking to the band and booked studio time at Island. Two cover versions were recorded (with Muff producing): the Spencer Davies Group's "Back Into My Life Again" and "Everlasting Love". Despite their commercial potential, both tracks were abandoned. The band then hooked up with CBS in-house producer Mike Smith who liked "EVERLASTING LOVE" but suggested they add an orchestra. The track was re recorded with a 40 piece orchestra and released as a single in December 1967. It made No.1 in the UK charts the following month. The follow-up single, "RAINBOW VALLEY" reached No.2 in May 1968 and the band released
"A DAY WITHOUT LOVE" in September that year which reached ..6, no doubt helped by the bands frantic touring and many TV appearances (including Top Of The Pops and the German Beat Club). They toured with Scott Walker, The Who, Gun, Paper Dolls, Casuals, Ronnie Scott, Terry Reid and Bluesology (with a young Elton John). Their debut album, entitled "EVERLASTING LOVE AFFAIR", was released in December 1968
Opting for a more mature sound, they cut a fourth CBS single, "ONE ROAD" a powerful ballad that sported a stringy backing instead of the familiar brass section. It reached No.16 in March 1969 "One Road" was written by Philip Goodhand-Tait, who'd written their previous single ("A Day Without Love") Goodhand-Tait wrote the next single as well, and "BRINGING ON BACK THE GOOD TIMES" gave the band their final Top 10 hit (No.10 in July 1969)
During the 70’s The LOVE AFFAIR went through many personnel changes with none of the original members remaining. During this period Martin Lyon took over as lead vocalist with The Love Affair and was the longest serving member of Love Affair (30 years). With Martin at the helm the band had toured the World for the past 30 years and in 2006 the founding member Maurice Bacon rejoined the band that he and his father started.
2008 - NEW YEAR, NEW CHAPTER
After over 30 years in the band Martin Lyon has departed from the Love Affair and we wish him good luck all the very best for the future.
The line up of the band is now Dave Dulake ..boards, Mike Steed on Bass, Maurice Bacon on drums, Mark Sullivan on guitar (Mark played with Mo in a band Called Window in the mid 70's and Mo says he is probably the best guitarist he has ever played with) and on vocals for the show in JANUARY 2008 Chip Hawkes from The Tremeloes. The show with this line up is 20th January 2008 which spookily enough is 40 years to the date when Everlasting Love reached No.1 in The UK Charts. After the show with CHIP HAWKES the vocalist with Love Affair has been JOHNNY WARMAN. Johnny is a fabulous vocalist and frontman and together with MARK SULLIVAN on guitar has transformed the band into something quite amazing. Johnny does have various other projects so cannot commit to being a full time member but is confirmed to to all the shows in 2008 except for 3. 2009 sees another excellent front man Rob Moore take over from Johnny
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Hi, thanks for adding ! So glad to make friends with you, I used to get great kicks every time I listened to those good old records of yours ! I'm also very impressed by the job some of you did on the terrific "Nova Solis" LP. Best wishes from Uncle RRRouliane.
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DROPPING BY YOUR PAGE TO SHOW SOME LOVE, HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK!! WE HAVE JUST COMPLETED TWO MIXTAPES HERE IS ONE OF THEM "RUDE CONFESSIONS" GENRE: REGGAE bY UNIVERSAL SOULJAS
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