Easyfeverby Australian rock and roll groupthe Easybeatswas their fourth officialextended play.It was issued to coincide with the band's departure for the United Kingdom.[1]It appeared in August 1966 and reached number one on the Australian singles charts, something that had only been achieved once before by an EP.[2]The songs on the EP did not appear on any of the Easybeats' official studio albums, however, they were included as bonus tracks on the 1992 CD reissue of theirIt's 2 Easyalbum.
| Easyfever | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EPby | ||||
| Released | 4 August 1966 | |||
| Recorded | 1966 | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll | |||
| Label | Parlophone/Albert Productions | |||
| Producer | Ted Albert | |||
| The Easybeats EP chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editEasyfeverwas named for fan reactions atthe Easybeatsappearances, à la Beatlemania, which Australian musicologist,Ian McFarlanedescribed, "During the mid-1960s, amid scenes of screaming teenage girls and mass hysteria ('Easyfever'), The Easybeats managed to issue a legacy of fine beat pop."[3]Easyfever was organised by the group's talent manager, Mike Vaughan in collaboration with "radio, TV and teen magazines."[4]The hysteria escalated after "She's So Fine"(May 1965) reached number three on the national singles chart.[2][4]To maintain their teen appeal, Vaughan had a tight grip on the group's image; he directed that "Snowy [Fleet]'s age was 'trimmed' by 5 years, Snowy and Harry [Vanda]'s marriages were concealed; visits to or from wives/girlfriends were strictly controlled, sometimes even forbidden."[4]According to Duncan Kimball ofMilesagowebsite, "Fans followed them everywhere, routinely mobbing them at airports, hotels and venues. On several occasions the group had genuine reason to fear for their safety."[4]
In early 1966, while the group were touring Australia, Vaughan flew to New York City to secure an American recording contract withUnited Artists Records.The group left for the United Kingdom on 10 July 1966. In August their labelAlbert Productions/Parlophonereleased the four-track extended play,Easyfever,which had been recorded before the group had left.[3]It was produced byTed Albertand reached number one on the Australian singles chart.[2]Its most popular track, "I'll Make You Happy (Just Like Your Mama Wants)", was co-written by band membersStevie WrightandGeorge Young,and reached number one on the local radio chart in Sydney and number seven in Melbourne.[3]
Track listing
editAll songs written byStevie WrightandGeorge Youngexcept as noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Too Much" | Stevie Wright,Harry Vanda,George Young | 1:46 |
| 2. | "I'll Make You Happy (Just Like Your Mama Wants)" | 3:11 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Very Special Man" | 2:21 |
| 2. | "Tryin' So Hard" | 2:26 |
Charts
edit| Chart (1966) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Kent Music Report | 1[2] |
References
edit- ^Tait, John (2010).Vanda & Young: Inside Australia's Hit Factory.Sydney, NSW: New South.ISBN978 1 74223 217 1.
- ^abcdKent, David(2005).Australian Chart Book 1940–1969.Turramurra, NSW:Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd.ISBN0-6464-4439-5.Note: Chart positions back calculated by Kent in 2005.
- ^abcMcFarlane, Ian(1999)."Encyclopedia entry for 'The Easybeats'".Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop.St Leonards, NSW:Allen & Unwin.ISBN1-86508-072-1.Archived fromthe originalon 20 April 2004.
- ^abcdKimball, Duncan (2005)."The Easybeats".Milesago.Archived fromthe originalon 16 March 2010.Retrieved14 July2022– viaNational Library of Australia.