The Arrows

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This article is about the British group. For the Canadian group, see The Arrows (Canadian band).
The Arrows

Background information
Origin London, England
Genre(s) Pop
Years active 1973–1976
Label(s) RAK
Website geocities.com/arrowmaniax
Former members
Alan Merrill
Jake Hooker
Paul Varley

The Arrows were a three piece Anglo-American band, based in London, England. The group was formed in 1974, and disbanded in 1978. They are best known for writing and recording the first released version of the well known international rock anthem, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," in 1975.

Contents

[edit] Biography

The band was made up of singer Alan Merrill, guitarist Jake Hooker and drummer Paul Varley. They had hit singles in 1974 and 1975 with "Touch Too Much," "My Last Night With You" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," all produced by Mickie Most on RAK Records[1].

"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was later covered by Joan Jett[2], Britney Spears, and others. The song was written by Arrows members, Merrill and Hooker.

The Arrows had two fourteen-week television series in 1976 and 1977 on Granada Television, produced by Muriel Young. A book was written about the band by Bill Harry, published by Everest Books.

Due to a legal wrangle, the band are unique in the history of televised pop music. They are the only band to have two weekly TV series (titled The Arrows Show), and no records released during the run of either series. Each series consisted of fourteen shows, each thirty minutes in length. Thus, there were twenty eight Arrows shows broadcast in total. Ironically, their last single "Once Upon A Time" was released two months before the first show of their first series in 1976.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • First Hit - LP - (1976)
  • First Hit (bonus tracks) - CD - (1998)
  • Singles Collection Plus (2001)
  • Tawny Tracks (2002)
  • A's B's and Rarities (2004)

[edit] Singles

  • "Touch Too Much" (N.Chinn/M.Chapman) b/w "We Can Make It Together" (A.Merrill/J.Hooker) (1974)
  • "Toughen Up" (N.Chinn/M.Chapman) b/w "Diesel Locomotive Dancer" (A.Merrill/J.Hooker) (1974)
  • "My Last Night With You" (R.Ferris) b/w "Movin' Next Door To You" (A.Merrill/J.Hooker) (1975)
  • "Hard Hearted" (R.Ferris) b/w "My World Is Turning On Love" (A.Merrill/J.Hooker) (1975)
  • "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" (A.Merrill/J.Hooker) b/w "Broken Down Heart" (R.Ferris) (1975)
  • "Once Upon A Time" (B.Martin/P.Coulter) b/w "Boogiest Band In Town" (B.Martin/P.Coulter) (1976)

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Harry, Bill (1976). Arrows : The Official Story. Everest Books. ISBN 0-903925-61-3. 
  2. ^ Joan Jett bio at allmusic.com