Marmalade (band)

Marmalade
Original band in 1968 l/r:Dean Ford,Alan Whitehead,Graham Knight,Junior CampbellandPat Fairley
Background information
Origin	Glasgow,Scotland
Genres	Pop rock pop psychedelic pop soft rock folk-pop sunshine pop
Years active	1966–present
Labels	Columbia(UK),CBS Records,Decca,London,Target Records,Castle,Sanctuary,Union Square Music,BMG Rights Management

Marmaladeare a Scottish pop rock band originating from the east end ofGlasgow,originally formed in 1961 asThe Gaylords,and then later billed asDean Ford and the Gaylords,recording four singles forColumbia (EMI).In 1966 they changed the band's name toThe Marmaladeand were credited as such on all of their subsequent recorded releases withCBS RecordsandDecca Recordsuntil 1972. Their greatest chart success was between 1968 and 1972, placing ten songs on theUK Singles Chart,and many overseas territories, including international hits "Reflections of My Life",which reached No. 10 on theUSBillboardHot 100 Chartand No. 3 on the UK chart in January 1970, and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da",which topped the UK chart in January 1969,the group becoming the first-ever Scottish artist to top that chart.

The original members began to drift away in the early 1970s, resulting in the band departing Decca in 1972. In 1973 the first evolved line up of the band rejoinedEMI Recordsand with their first record release became known simply as Marmalade.All subsequent record releases are credited similarly.

Graham Knight (an ongoing member from the pre-Marmalade "Dean Ford and the Gaylords" lineup) remained until September 2010. The band still exists, with none of the founding members, and many additional further evolved lineups including vocalist Sandy Newman, a member since 1975, touring the nostalgia circuit.

History

The Gaylords

The Gaylords (named after the notorious post warChicago Gaylordsstreet gang) were originally formed byPat Fairleyand Billy Johnston inBaillieston,a suburb east of Glasgow, in 1961. Their initial line-up included Tommy Frew on drums and lead guitarist Pat McGovern, fronted by vocalist Wattie Rodgers. WilliamJunior Campbelljoined on his 14th birthday on 31 May 1961 replacing McGovern, and Rodgers was then himself replaced, initially by two new lead vocalists, Billy Reid and Tommy Scott, although Reid soon departed leaving Scott as the solefrontman.Bill Irving, from local Baillieston group the Cadillacs, then took over from Johnston on bass.

Left to right: Bill Irving, Junior Campbell, Dean Ford, Ray Duffy and Pat Fairley (1964)

The group began gathering notice and in 1963 Fairley and Campbell spottedThomas McAleese,singer with local group the Monarchs, at theBarrowland Ballroomin Glasgow, and it was not long before he replaced Scott as lead singer. McAleese then adopted the stage moniker Dean Ford, and they then became known as Dean Ford and The Gaylords. Raymond Duffy, from Glasgow group the Escorts, then came in on drums after Frew departed. For a few months, they had an organist, Davey Hunter. By early 1965,Graham Knight,from the local group the Vampires, had displaced Irving on bass.

Becoming popular in Scotland, and under the management of Billy Grainger, in early 1964 they were championed by Scottish music journalist Gordon Reid, which led to them being signed to EMI's Columbia label byNorrie Paramorafter auditions at Glasgow's Locarno Ballroom. They went on to record foursingles,including a cover of the 1963Chubby CheckerUS hit "Twenty Miles",which was a big seller locally but failed tochartnationally.The Columbia releases, although uncredited, were all produced byBob Barratt,EMI staff producer, with Norrie Paramor as executive. Paramor played thecelestaon "What's The Matter With Me"; theb-sideof "Twenty Miles".In 1965, they played a long stint inGermanyat the Storyville inCologneand also inDuisburg.By this time The Gaylords had attained status as one of the top groups in Scotland, borne out in music poll results, but were ambitious, and so on their return from Germany to London in early 1965, they decided to try for success in theUKas a whole, and remained inLondon,where they changed management and agency representation, as Billy Grainger wished to remain in Glasgow.

Name change and the CBS era

On the recommendation ofthe Tremeloes,who had played with them in Glasgow, the Gaylords were invited to join the London-based agency Starlite Artistes, owned and managed by Peter Walsh. They then began to build up aclubreputation as a tight, close harmony band and in 1966, finding themselves in the middle of the 1960sswinging Londonscene, they decided to update their image and instrumentation. On the advice of their new manager, they changed the band name to "The Marmalade".According to a 2009 interview with Graham Knight, the inspiration behind the Marmalade name came when their manager was eating breakfast and across from him was a jar of marmalade featuring aGolliwogon the label, their manager said "it were staring me in the face as I were having my breakfast [sic] ".The Golliwog character use to be on theAlan Whitehead'sbass drum.Unusually, they now had twobassplayers, Knight on four-string and Fairley on six-string (Fairley having dropped the standardrhythm guitarnormally associated with rock groups of the early 1960s).

With their EMI Columbia contract at an end, Walsh, with the help of John Salter, Walsh's booking agent, was successful in signing the band to CBS Records with producer Mike Smith, who was having great success with the Tremeloes, now their agency stablemates. But their first few CBS singles also failed to chart in the UK.

Drummer Ray Duffy (who later played withMatthews Southern ComfortandGallagher and Lyleand also on Campbell's later solo recordings), decided to leave in 1966 to return to Scotland to get married just after their first CBS release, "Its All Leading up to Saturday Night". The band then placed adverts in theNew Musical ExpressandMelody Maker,and after various auditions, former postmanAlan Whiteheadex member of London outfit the Loose Ends became their new drummer, debuting on their next single, "Can't Stop Now", which failed to sell despite the group's performing it on a TV play,The Fantasist,written byAlun Owen,for theBBC TwoTheatre 625series.

Their third CBS single, the self penned "I See the Rain",written by Campbell and Ford, was praised byJimi Hendrixas the "best cut of 1967".It became achart-topperin theNetherlandsthe same year.Graham Nashofthe Holliescontributed to the session, but it too flopped in the UK, although the track, with its distinct 1960s feel, has since attained acult followingand been resurrected by artists such asSusanna Hoffsofthe BanglesandMatthew Sweet.(seeUnder the Covers, Vol. 1)

19 January 1967 proved to be a turning point in the band's progress when they made their debut at London'sMarquee Clubwhere they supportedPink Floyd.Two weeks later, on 3 February, they supportedthe Action.After that, they never supported anyone again at the Marquee and on 16 March 1967 they began a long residency which carried through to the autumn of the following year, building a reputation and following,including touring withthe Who,Joe Cocker,Traffic,Gene Pitneyandthe Tremeloes.This culminated with summer appearances at theWindsor Jazz and Rock Festival,directly precedingJerry Lee Lewis,and Festival of the Flower ChildrenWoburn Abbey.

Junior Campbell and Dean Ford, Marmalade, Dutch TV (1968)

CBS, concerned at Marmalade's lack of commercial success, threatened to drop them if they did not have a hit. So after the failure of another self-penned single later that year, "Man in a Shop", they were urged to record more chart-orientated material. Mike Smith offered the band "Everlasting Love",but they declined as they preferred to continue to record group based material rather than with large orchestral accompaniment. The song was then given toLove Affair,arranged byKeith Mansfield,which became aNo. 1for them. They later gave in to pressure and recorded "Lovin' Things"written byArtie Schroeckand Jet Loring in 1967, and arranged by Mansfield using a similar orchestral formula (Mansfield already knew the band and had previously arranged earlier cuts including their previous single "Man in a Shop" ) It reached No. 6 in theUK Singles Chartin the summer of 1968.This was covered bythe Grass Rootsin theUSin 1969, using virtually the same arrangement. Marmalade's debut album,There's A Lot Of It About,featured a mix of some of their singles andcover versionsof current popular tunes, and was released in 1968.

Marmalade made a cameo appearance on the big screen in the filmSubterfugethat year.

After a lesser hit with their follow-up single "Wait For Me Mary-Anne" (written byAlan BlaikleyandKen Howard), which made No. 30, they enjoyed their biggest UK success with their cover ofthe Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da",which topped the UK chart in January 1969,the group becoming the firstScottishgroup to top that chart.Their version of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" sold around half a million in the UK, and a million copies globally by April 1969.This was followed by further success with "Baby Make It Soon" (written byTony Macaulay), which reached No. 9 in the summer of 1969.

In February 1969, the band appeared on the BBC's flagship programColour Me Pop,(precursor toThe Old Grey Whistle Test) performing a halfhour slot. They also appeared on the BBC's review of the 1960s music scene,Pop Go The Sixties,performing "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" live on the broadcast onBBC 1on New Year's Eve 1969.

Decca era

In November 1969, the band was signed toDecca Recordsby Decca head ofA&R,Dick Roweunder a lucrative advance deal, allowing the band towriteandproducetheir own songs, with no studio time restraints, and in their first Decca recording session, they recorded "Reflections of My Life",which would become their biggest worldwide hit,rewarding Decca's and Dick Rowe's faith in the band. Topping the charts in Europe (also Top 10 in United States and No. 1 in most ofSouth America), it was written by Campbell and Ford,and featured a "backwards" (backmasking)guitar soloby Campbell."Reflections of My Life" has recorded over two million sales, and the writers were awarded a Special Citation of Achievement in 1998 byBMIin attaining radio broadcast performances in excess of one million in the US alone.

Other UK hits for Decca included "Rainbow"(UK No. 3 and US No. 51) and" My Little One "(UK No. 15).,"Cousin Norman" and "Radancer" (both reaching UK No. 6).

Their manager, Peter Walsh, was a 1960s and 1970s pop entrepreneur whose portfolio also includedthe Tremeloes,Bay City Rollers,the Move,Billy Ocean,the TroggsandBlue Mink.

Their first Decca album,Reflections Of The Marmaladewas released in the US asReflections Of My Lifeon Decca'sLondon Recordssubsidiary. Their US singles during this era likewise came out on London. But their manager, Walsh, turned down an offer to tour the US opening forThree Dog Night,thus blowing an opportunity for further exposure there.To be fair to Walsh, he did not much care for the fact that Marmalade would have had to pay a substantial dollar premium to do so, a practice common in the US but totally alien to Walsh's traditional UK management and agency style.

After Campbell, who co-wrote most of the group's original material with Ford, left the band in March 1971 for a solo career, and to study orchestration and composition at theRoyal College of Music,they began a series of line-up changes, including the loss of drummer Whitehead.

Marmalade recruited guitarist Hugh Nicholson, an ex-member ofthe Poets,to replace Campbell, and after the first post Campbell release, "Cousin Norman", it was Dean Ford who insisted on sacking Whitehead and recruiting from the Poets, Dougie Henderson.This caused Marmalade to suffer adverse publicity from the UK'sNews of the Worldafter an embittered Whitehead gave them stories of the band's experiences with groupies.

Marmalade releasedSongsin November 1971, with Nicholson taking over most song compositions, which met with limited success. However, Nicholson penned two of their last hits, "Cousin Norman" (brass arranged by Campbell) and "Radancer", as well as the lesser hit "Back on the Road", on which he sang lead vocal.

Fairley quit the band circa 1972 to run the group's music publishing company, then Nicholson, who was discouraged over the failure of theirSongsalbum, also left in 1973 to formBlue(not to be confused with a later boy band of the same name). Ford, Knight and Henderson carried on with Marmalade. Nicholson was eventually replaced byMike Japp,a rock guitarist from theWelshband, Thank You.

The group returned toEMIand released a new single, "Wishing Well", credited simply as Marmalade (dropping the "The" ).But Knight left during the recording of their next album,Our House Is Rocking(which showcased a heavier rock sound and was delayed until the autumn of 1974) and the group was briefly a trio before Joe Breen (ex-Dream Police) came in on bass. Refusing to play most of the band's old hit records on stage, the group slowly came to a standstill.

1975–1978

In 1975, Knight linked up with former drummer Alan Whitehead to form 'Vintage Marmalade' with Sandy Newman (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Charlie Smith (guitar). They were reunited with their old manager, Peter Walsh, to play all the hits on stage and had a full date sheet.

Later in 1975, after Ford and the remaining members called it quits, Knight and Whitehead took over the name Marmalade with the new line-up, fronted by Newman.They signed a deal withTony Macaulay's Target Records and in 1976, had what turned out to be their final Top 10 hit with the ominously entitled, Macaulay penned song, "Falling Apart at the Seams". The song also reached theeasy listeningcharts in the U.S. and made the Top 50 of theBillboardHot 100,becoming the group's last charting single on the U.S charts.Subsequent singles failed to chart.One of these was "Talking In Your Sleep",produced byRoger Greenawayand released in January 1978, six months ahead of theCrystal Gayleversion of the same song, which became well known worldwide.

Newman (ex-Chris McClure Section, 1968–1970) has continued to front Marmalade since 1975, releasing a further eleven singles in the UK (excluding re-releases), seven of which were via Target Records, none of which have charted in the UK or US, and today they continue to tour the nostalgia circuit performing the band's full hit repertoire.

Smith departed in 1977 to join Nicholson in Blue and Garth Watt-Roy came in briefly for Marmalade'sOnly Light On My Horizon Nowalbum, before leaving for theQ-Tipsin 1978. He was replaced by guitarist Ian Withington, who appeared alongside Knight, Newman and new drummerStu Williamsonfor the next albumDoing It All For You(1979).

Whitehead left the band in 1978 to manage other pop groups and singers, which he has continued to do. He also appeared in the 2010TV seriesTake Me Outand ran alap danceclub.

Subsequent years

Charlie Smith returned in 1980, as the band's drummer this time. Alan Holmes (vocals, guitars, keyboards), a former member of the Bristol-based band Federation, succeeded Withington. A 1980 US only album,Marmalade,on G&P Records, featured a re-recorded mix of their Decca, EMI and Target material, alongside some Junior Campbell-penned tracks. Another unsuccessful album,Heartbreaker,came out in the UK in 1982 on the Spectra label.

Graham Knight remained as the sole original band member touring the nostalgia circuit with Newman, Smith and Alan Holmes. In 1982, Glenn Taylor replaced Smith on drums, though Smith returned from 1989 to around 1998, before Taylor took over permanently.

Dave Deebegan appearing as guest singer for Marmalade in 1987 and recorded a single with the band, "Scirocco", in 1989. He continued to make live guest appearances with them until his death in 2009.

In September 2010 Graham Knight, the last remaining member of the original band, departed. Drummer Taylor also left to jointhe Fortunes.The new players were drummer Damon Sawyer and bassist Mike Steed. In 2011, guitarist and vocalist John James Newman joined, making the band a quintet once again.

2013 saw the current Marmalade line-up release their first new studio album since 1979. EntitledPenultimateand released in CD and vinyl formats, it featured six new compositions, together with re-recordings of many Marmalade songs. The album was launched on 4 October 2013 to coincide with the start of a 52-date UK tour.

In 2015, Jan Robinson (vocals, bass) and Chris North (drums, percussion) were brought in as the new rhythm section, in place of Steed and Sawyer.

Original band members — evolved history

2011 saw the release ofFine Cuts–The Best Of Marmaladeon the Union Square Music BMG Salvo label (SALVOMDCD26), a double album containing all of the Marmalade original studio recordings between 1966 and 1972, including all of their chart hits. The complete catalogue was also made available via digital download.

Ford was one of many lead vocalists contributing to the Alan Parsons Project. Although for some years he withdrew from the music industry and battled alcoholism, settling in Los Angeles, he became active in music again and released a single of his own composition "Glasgow Road" with Joe Tansin (ex-Badfinger) in 2012. He later recorded a version of "Reflections Of My Life" in 2015 and in 2016 released aPledgeMusicalbum entitledFeel My Heartbeat,available for digital download. Ford died on 31 December 2018 at the age of 73 at his home in Los Angeles of complications fromParkinson's disease.His final album, a two-disc collection calledThis Scottish Heart,was released just weeks before his death.

Fairley also moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s having worked in music publishing for the RSO GroupRobert Stigwoodand for the bandYes.He retired from the music business many years ago and set up a bar and music venue called The Scotland Yard Pub, in Los Angeles in the early 1980s: he sold the business in March 2018 and retired. He died at his home in Los Angeles on 11 August 2020, at the age of 76.

Whitehead continues in artist management and can be seen reviewing the Onyx range of tuned sports cars on theTogether TVprogramme "Rock 'N' Roll Cars" (he also provides the voice-over for this show, which features pop acts such asGo WestandTony Hadleytalking about their motoring history).

Knight retired from Marmalade in September 2010.

Campbell became a solo recording artist, songwriter, television and film composer, record producer and music arranger, and lives in Sussex. He continues to oversee all of the master rights to the original band recordings on behalf of the whole band, which they retain, and also their publishing rights.

Members

Current members

• Sandy Newman – lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards(1975–present)
• Alan Holmes – vocals, acoustic/electric guitar, keyboards(1980–present)
• John James Newman – vocals, acoustic guitar(2011–present)
• Jan S. Robinson – vocals, bass(2015–present)
• Chris North – drums, percussion(2015–present)

Classic lineup

• Dean Ford– lead vocals, guitar, harmonica(1966–1975; died 2018)
• William "Junior" Campbell– vocals, guitars, keyboards(1966–1971)
• Patrick Fairley– vocals, six string bass/rhythm guitars(1966–1972; died 2020)
• Graham Knight– vocals, bass(1966–1973, 1975–2010)
• Alan Whitehead– drums(1966–1971, 1975–1978)

Further members

• Dougie Henderson – drums(1971–1975)
• Hugh Nicholson – vocals, guitars(1971–1973)
• Joe Breen – vocals, bass(1973–1975)
• Mike Japp– vocals, guitars(1973–1975; died 2012)
• Charlie Smith – vocals, guitar(1975–1977; drums 1980–1982 and 1989–1998)
• Garth Watt-Roy – vocals, keyboards(1977–1978)
• Ian Withington – vocals, guitar(1978–1980)
• Stu Williamson– drums(1978–1980)
• Glenn Taylor – drums(1982–1989; 1998–2010)
• Damon Sawyer – drums(2010-2015)
• Mike Steed – vocals, bass(2010-2015)

Gaylords members

• Patrick Fairley(1961–1966)
• William Junior Campbell(1961–1966)
• Bill Irving – bass(1961–1964)
• Tommy Frew – drums(1961–1963)
• Tommy Scott – vocals(1961–1963)
• Billy Johnston – bass(1961)
• Wattie Rodgers (Dunlop) – vocals(1961)
• Pat McGovern – lead guitars(1961)
• Billy Reid – vocals(1961)
• Dean Ford(1963–1966)
• Raymond Duffy(1963–1966)
• Davey Hunter – organ(1963)
• Graham Knight(1965–1966)

Unofficial members

• Dave Dee– vocals(occasional guest appearances, 1987–2009; died 2009)

Timeline

Discography

Main article:Marmalade discography

Studio albums

• There's a Lot of It About(1968)
• Reflections of the Marmalade(1970)
• Songs(1971)
• Our House Is Rocking(1974)
• The Only Light on My Horizon Now(1977)
• Doing It All for You(1978)
• Heavens Above(1979)
• Marmalade(1980)
• Heartbreaker(1982)
• Penultimate(2013)

See also

• List of bands from Glasgow
• List of Scottish musicians

Sources

• Info sourced from liner notes, including those by band members on:
• 1992 Decca Records (Deram) 820 562-2Reflections of The Marmalade
• 1996 Castle CD CCSCD436;The Marmalade – The Definitive Collection
• 1998 Castle CD CCSCD825Marmalade – The Definitive Collection
• 2000 Castle – Sequel NEECD 335Rainbow: The Decca Years
• 2004 Sanctuary CMOCD 940The Marmalade – BBC Sessions
• 2005 Sanctuary SMETD 182Marmalade – The Ultimate Collection
• 2011 Union Square Music – Salvo SALVOMDCD26Fine Cuts: The Best Of Marmalade

External links

• Marmalade at "Rockingscots"
• Marmalade biography at AllMusic
• Current official website
• Marmalade feature in German
• Marquee Club Calendar – 1967
• Official Facebook for former Marmalade lead singer Dean Ford