City Boy
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City Boy was a moderately successful English rock band in the late 1970s, characterized by complex vocal arrangements and heavy guitars. Their most popular songs were "5-7-0-5", and "The Day The Earth Caught Fire".
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[edit] History
In the early 1970s Lol Mason, Steve Broughton, Max Thomas and Chris Dunn were playing folk music in the Birmingham area. They toured the clubs of the English Midlands until, towards the end of 1975, they decided to try it the professional way. Meanwhile Broughton had begun to write quite impressive songs. They were offered a contract by Phonogram Records on the condition that they add drums and electric guitar. This prompted them to recruit Roger Kent and Mike Slamer.
Their first albums failed to impress the audience, although some critics gave quite favorable reviews to City Boy (1975) and Dinner At The Ritz (1976). It was not until 1978, and their hit song "5-7-0-5", and the subsequent album Book Early, that the public realised their potential. The single went right into the Top 10 of the British charts, and even the album scratched the Top 30 of the UK Albums Chart.
They were able to repeat their success with their 1979 album, The Day The Earth Caught Fire, and its title song as a single release. After that, Broughton left the band, but they had one more successful album with Heads Are Rolling in 1980. Many critics believe this one to be their best, but then their recording contract expired. One last record, It's Personal in 1981 failed to attract any attention.
Most of City Boy's albums were labelled and distributed by Vertigo Records, also known as PolyGram and Polydor.
Unable to secure a contract with any of the major companies, the band split up in 1982.
[edit] Selected discography
[edit] Singles
- 5-7-0-5 (1978) UK #8, US #27
- What A Night (1978) UK #39
- The Day The Earth Caught Fire (1979) UK #67
[edit] Albums
- City Boy (1976)
- Dinner at the Ritz (1976)
- Young Men Gone West (1977)
- Book Early (1978)
- The Day The Earth Caught Fire (1979)
- Heads Are Rolling (1980)
- It's Personal (1981)
[edit] Audio sample
- City Boy - 5-7-0-5 excerpt (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- An excerpt from 5-7-0-5
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
[edit] References
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
- Notes on the Heads Are Rolling CD
