The Lambrettas
Encyclopedia
The Lambrettas were an English mod revival
band, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Named after the iconic Italian
Lambretta
scooter
brand popular among Mods, the band was formed in Lewes
. Their original line-up consisted of Jez Bird (singer/guitarist), Doug Sanders (guitarist/vocalist), Mark Ellis (bassist) and Paul Wincer (drummer).
Their biggest hit
was in 1980, with a cover version
of the 1950s Leiber and Stoller song, "Poison Ivy
", which reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart
. They scored a #12 hit with the follow-up, "Da-a-a-nce". In the same year, they released the album Beat Boys in the Jet Age, which reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart
, and scored another minor hit single single, "Another Day (Another Girl)", at UK. After the Mod revival faded, subsequent singles, which included a 1982 cover of Jefferson Airplane
's "Somebody to Love", and a second album, 1981's Ambience, were commercial failures. The band played their final concert in London, on 14 April 1982. Bird re-formed the band for a time in the 1990s.
and, under the leadership of Bird's catchy songwriting, proved to be more than just Jam sound-alikes, leaving behind mod-life arrogance/elitism in favour of a pure pop sensibility. The Lambrettas played various gigs around England until finally being spotted by Elton John
’s record label Rocket Records
. At the time Rocket Records
was a new label featuring new and unknown acts. It was through this label that The Lambrettas released their first single, Go Steady. The single did reasonably well and Rocket Records
decided to officially sign the band and release their next record.
, which had been suggested to them by Pete Waterman
, the business partner of their producer Peter Collins
. The Lambrettas version had brass arrangements and a clear upbeat “Mod” feel to it. The record which was released as a single did extremely well in the UK. Reaching #7 on the UK Singles Chart
it earned the band a silver disc, selling over 500,000 copies, and it continues today to be the band's best selling single.
The next single was more typical of the band’s sound. However it did still reach a respectable #12 in the UK Album Charts. With two singles down the band released their debut album “Beat Boys In The Jet Age
”; however controversy occurred when the band attempted to release their third single. Entitled “Page Three”, the newspaper The Sun demanded that the name be changed due to The Suns well known Page Three pin-up girl. The newspaper forced a change of title and the destruction of all the manufactured sleeves. The album did do reasonably well and due to this the band found themselves opening for Madness
during their European tour.
) replaced Paul Wincer. However despite the album's high level of production and general solid feel, it wasn’t a success. The band had tried to reach larger audiences by toning down on their mod image.
Throughout 1981 singles were released from the second album but all failed to really hit off with the British public. Steve Bray was replaced by Pat Freyne and the band continued their struggle. By 1982 it was decided that they would record another cover. Jefferson Airplane
's song "Somebody to Love
" was chosen. Despite attempts to gain popularity over the radio the single didn’t chart.
By mid 1982 hope of success had faded and the band parted with their record label and each other. In 1985 a best of album was released entitled Kick Start
.
for a new album that was never issued. In 1997 he re-recorded the band's hit Da-a-ance. This featured on the compilation Generation to Generation, released on the Dr. Martens Records label. He subsequently recorded a new version of the theme from TV series Starsky & Hutch which featured on the Cult Themes from the 70s Vol.1 album, released in 1997.
Mod Revival
The mod revival was a music genre and subculture that started in England in 1978 and later spread to other countries . The mod revival's mainstream popularity was relatively short, although its influence has lasted for decades...
band, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Named after the iconic Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Lambretta
Lambretta
Lambretta can refer to:* Lambretta, a petrol-powered scooter made by Innocenti* Lambretta , a clothing brand* Lambretta , a Swedish rock band* The Lambrettas, a British mod revival band...
scooter
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
brand popular among Mods, the band was formed in Lewes
Lewes
Lewes is the county town of East Sussex, England and historically of all of Sussex. It is a civil parish and is the centre of the Lewes local government district. The settlement has a history as a bridging point and as a market town, and today as a communications hub and tourist-oriented town...
. Their original line-up consisted of Jez Bird (singer/guitarist), Doug Sanders (guitarist/vocalist), Mark Ellis (bassist) and Paul Wincer (drummer).
Their biggest hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
was in 1980, with a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the 1950s Leiber and Stoller song, "Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy (song)
"Poison Ivy" is a popular song by American songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally recorded by The Coasters in 1959. It went to #1 on the R&B chart and #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
", which reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. They scored a #12 hit with the follow-up, "Da-a-a-nce". In the same year, they released the album Beat Boys in the Jet Age, which reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, and scored another minor hit single single, "Another Day (Another Girl)", at UK. After the Mod revival faded, subsequent singles, which included a 1982 cover of Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success....
's "Somebody to Love", and a second album, 1981's Ambience, were commercial failures. The band played their final concert in London, on 14 April 1982. Bird re-formed the band for a time in the 1990s.
Early years (1970s–1980)
Dressing in matching mohair suits and naming themselves after one of the mod-favored motor scooters. Although decidedly derivative, The Lambrettas proved to be one of the most fondly remembered bands of the mod revival. The band formed near the mod mecca of BrightonBrighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
and, under the leadership of Bird's catchy songwriting, proved to be more than just Jam sound-alikes, leaving behind mod-life arrogance/elitism in favour of a pure pop sensibility. The Lambrettas played various gigs around England until finally being spotted by Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
’s record label Rocket Records
Rocket Records
The Rocket Record Company was a record label founded by Elton John, with Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon and Steve Brown among others, in 1972. The name is from the hit, "Rocket Man"...
. At the time Rocket Records
Rocket Records
The Rocket Record Company was a record label founded by Elton John, with Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon and Steve Brown among others, in 1972. The name is from the hit, "Rocket Man"...
was a new label featuring new and unknown acts. It was through this label that The Lambrettas released their first single, Go Steady. The single did reasonably well and Rocket Records
Rocket Records
The Rocket Record Company was a record label founded by Elton John, with Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon and Steve Brown among others, in 1972. The name is from the hit, "Rocket Man"...
decided to officially sign the band and release their next record.
Debut album
The band's next recording was a cover version of the 1950s song Poison IvyPoison Ivy (song)
"Poison Ivy" is a popular song by American songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally recorded by The Coasters in 1959. It went to #1 on the R&B chart and #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
, which had been suggested to them by Pete Waterman
Pete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles...
, the business partner of their producer Peter Collins
Peter Collins (record producer)
Peter Collins is a record producer, born January 15, 1951, in London.In 1976 Collins was signed to Magnet Records and formed a group called Madison, along with Ziggy, Peter Spooner and Page 3 girl Cherri Gilham, to perform his pop song "Let It Ring"...
. The Lambrettas version had brass arrangements and a clear upbeat “Mod” feel to it. The record which was released as a single did extremely well in the UK. Reaching #7 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
it earned the band a silver disc, selling over 500,000 copies, and it continues today to be the band's best selling single.
The next single was more typical of the band’s sound. However it did still reach a respectable #12 in the UK Album Charts. With two singles down the band released their debut album “Beat Boys In The Jet Age
Beat Boys in the Jet Age
Beat Boys in the Jet Age was the debut album by English mod revival band The Lambrettas. It included the bands hit cover of the song "Poison Ivy" which reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart. The band would continue this success with the release of their very own "Da-a-ance", reaching #12 in the UK...
”; however controversy occurred when the band attempted to release their third single. Entitled “Page Three”, the newspaper The Sun demanded that the name be changed due to The Suns well known Page Three pin-up girl. The newspaper forced a change of title and the destruction of all the manufactured sleeves. The album did do reasonably well and due to this the band found themselves opening for Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
during their European tour.
Ambience and split
After the band's European tour they decided to release their next album. It was during this period that Steve Bray (former drummer for Toyah WillcoxToyah Willcox
Toyah Ann Willcox is an English actress and singer. In a career spanning more than thirty years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles, released 22 studio albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays and ten feature films, as well as voicing and presenting numerous television shows...
) replaced Paul Wincer. However despite the album's high level of production and general solid feel, it wasn’t a success. The band had tried to reach larger audiences by toning down on their mod image.
Throughout 1981 singles were released from the second album but all failed to really hit off with the British public. Steve Bray was replaced by Pat Freyne and the band continued their struggle. By 1982 it was decided that they would record another cover. Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success....
's song "Somebody to Love
Somebody to Love (Jefferson Airplane song)
"Somebody to Love" is a rock song that was written by Darby Slick and originally recorded by 1960s folk rock band The Great Society and later by the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane...
" was chosen. Despite attempts to gain popularity over the radio the single didn’t chart.
By mid 1982 hope of success had faded and the band parted with their record label and each other. In 1985 a best of album was released entitled Kick Start
Kick Start
Kick Start is a best of album by English mod revival band The Lambrettas. It contains the hit singles "Poison Ivy", "Da-a-ance" and the band's first ever single "Go Steady", which until Kick Start had never been released on an album.- Track listing :...
.
Later Work
Jez Bird re-formed the band in the 1990s, performing at small venues in England, and recording several demosDemo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
for a new album that was never issued. In 1997 he re-recorded the band's hit Da-a-ance. This featured on the compilation Generation to Generation, released on the Dr. Martens Records label. He subsequently recorded a new version of the theme from TV series Starsky & Hutch which featured on the Cult Themes from the 70s Vol.1 album, released in 1997.
Current Line-up
Founding member, Jez Bird, died of cancer on 27 August 2008, at the age of 50. Guitarist Doug Sanders and drummer Paul Wincer reunited to play as The Lambrettas once again in 2009, with Doug Sanders taking over vocal duties. Joining them were guitarist Philip Edwards and Chris Venzi-James on bass, playing their first gig in Brighton on the 15 August that year. The band have been well received and are busy touring the UK and Europe.- Doug Sanders – vocals
- Paul Wincer – drums
- Philip Edwards – guitar
- Chris Venzi-James – bass
Albums
- Beat Boys In The Jet AgeBeat Boys in the Jet AgeBeat Boys in the Jet Age was the debut album by English mod revival band The Lambrettas. It included the bands hit cover of the song "Poison Ivy" which reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart. The band would continue this success with the release of their very own "Da-a-ance", reaching #12 in the UK...
(1981) - AmbienceAmbience (album)Ambience is The Lambrettas second album. Unlike their first album Beat Boys In The Jet Age it was never a success. The band had tried to move on from their Mod sound but failed to attract a wider audience...
(1981) - Kick StartKick StartKick Start is a best of album by English mod revival band The Lambrettas. It contains the hit singles "Poison Ivy", "Da-a-ance" and the band's first ever single "Go Steady", which until Kick Start had never been released on an album.- Track listing :...
(1985)
EPs and singles
- "Go Steady" (1979)
- "Poison Ivy" (1980)
- "D-a-a-ance" (1980)
- "Another Day, Another Girl" (aka Page 3) (1980)
- "Good Times" (1981)
- "Anything You Want" (1981)
- "Decent Town" (1981)
- "Somebody To Love" (1982)
External links
- http://www.facebook.com/TheLambrettas Facebook
- http://beatboysinthejetage.multiply.com/ Website run by member of the band.
- http://www.futurelegendrecords.com/#/the-lambrettas/4545392098 Future Legend Records: The Lambrettas