Artist:Unit 4 +2
Song:Concrete and Clay
Album:The Singles
The 1965 single Concrete and Clay topped the British charts and was a top 30 hit in the US. It topped the Canadian charts too so I remember hearing it when I was a kid. Of course it's perceived as a one hit wonder but a couple of their other songs charted so technically it is not a one hit wonder. Unit 4 + 2 are from Hertfordshire, England. In 1962, Brian Parker was the guitarist and songwriter for The Hunters. He wanted to form a vocal group with his friend David "Buster" Meikle. They brought in schoolmates Tommy Moeller and Peter Moules. They called themselves Unit 4 after a segment on the BBC radio show Pick of the Pops. They were joined by guitarist Russ Ballard and drummer Bob Henrit and they became Unit 4 + 2. Parker didn't like performing live so he left the group but he still wrote songs with Moeller. Howard "Lem" Lubin replaced him. Unit 4 + 2 signed with Decca Records. Concrete and Clay was the third single. It got a lot of radio play in England mostly thanks to legendary DJ Kenny Everett. It topped the British charts. Then it crossed the pond and reached #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Canadian chart. Decca released an album and more singles. A couple of the singles charted but they were never able to repeat the success of Concrete and Clay. Most of the band left but Moeller continued with all new members and they released a 1969 album on Fontana Records. They split up in 1970. This comp from The reissue label Repertoire is available as a budget CD. Parker and Moeller went on to record a 1974 album as Parker-Moeller Reunion. Ballard and Henrit were members of the popular group Argent. Concrete and Clay still gets played on oldies radio. But I'm pretty sure that most music fans don't know who recorded it...until now. Here's the video for Concrete and Clay by Unit 4 + 2.
No comments:
Post a Comment