The Ivy League (band)

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The Ivy League were a English pop trio, created in 1964, who enjoyed two Top 10 hit singles in the UK Singles Chart in 1965.[1] The group's sound was characterised by rich, three-part vocal harmonies.

Contents

[edit] Career

The Ivy League originally consisted of members John Carter and Ken Lewis (previous members of Carter-Lewis and the Southerners); plus Perry Ford. All three members were session singers who possessed high-pitched singing voices. They were first heard doing background vocals for The Who on their hit single "I Can't Explain" in November 1964. After that song, the band never called on the Ivy League again, as John Entwistle and Pete Townshend were able to handle the backing vocals. Their debut single, "What More Do You Want" generated little interest, but the second release, "Funny How Love Can Be", turned out to be a surprise UK Top 10 hit. Further hits followed, including "That's Why I'm Crying" and a cover of "Tossing and Turning", the latter of which reached #3 in the UK chart. The original trio released just one album, 1965's This is the Ivy League – panned in the music press as disappointing, with its excessively wide spread of musical styles and material[2] – before both Carter and Lewis left the group. Carter departed in January 1966, with Lewis leaving later the same year. The duo then set up a production company.[3]

With replacement members Tony Burrows and Neil Landon taking the recently departed original members' places, the Ivy League issued two more albums, 1967's Sounds of the Ivy League and 1969's Tomorrow is Another Day.[4] Several more singles followed, including the minor hits, "Willow Tree" and "My World Fell Down". A cover version of the latter song provided the U.S. band, Sagittarius, with a #70 chart placing in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967.

Success for The Ivy League in the United States was minimal, with only "Tossing and Turning" hitting the Billboard charts, making a modest high of #83 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5]

The band changed its name in 1967 to The Flower Pot Men, hitting #4 in the UK with its single "Let's Go To San Francisco." Messrs Carter and Lewis then fulfilled the role of managers.[6]

In the 1980s, fans of the group were confused by a band going by the name of the Ivy League which performed the group's hits at nightclubs, even though none of the earlier members were involved. During the 1990s, several best of compilations surfaced, including 1998's 43 track Major League: the Collectors' Ivy League.[7]

Two other bands have also used the name: The Ivy League, a North Carolina based rock band; and This Is The Ivy League[citation needed] from Australia.

[edit] Personnel

Tony Burrows in concert. Taken on May 17th, 2008.
Tony Burrows in concert. Taken on May 17th, 2008.

The original line-up of The Ivy League comprised of:

Later replacement, Tony Burrows' voice is also heard on many UK hit singles of that era, such as, White Plains: "My Baby Loves Lovin'", Brotherhood of Man: "United We Stand", Edison Lighthouse: "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)", The First Class: "Beach Baby", plus The Pipkins: "Gimme Dat Ding".

[edit] Present day

The Ivy League continue to perform, with the present day line-up comprising of Jon Brennan (bass guitar/vocals); Dave Buckley (drums, vocals) and Mike Brice (guitar, vocals).[8]

[edit] Partial discography

[edit] Singles

  • "Funny How Love Can Be" - (1965) - UK high - Number 8
  • "That's Why I'm Crying" - (1965) - UK Number 22
  • "Tossing and Turning" - (1965) - UK Number 3
  • "Willow Tree" - (1966) - UK Number 50[1]

[edit] Albums

  • This is the Ivy League - 1965
  • Sounds of the Ivy League - 1967
  • Tomorrow is Another Day - 1969

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums, 19th, London: Guinness World Records Limited, p. 272. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  2. ^ Rawlings, Terry (2002). British Beat 1060-1969: Then, Now and Rare, 1st, London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-9094-8. 
  3. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years, 1st, London: Reed International Books Ltd, p. 154. CN 5585. 
  4. ^ All Music Guide biography text
  5. ^ All Music Guide - Charts & Awards page
  6. ^ 45rpm website text - accessed December 2007
  7. ^ All Music Guide biography text
  8. ^ Official band website information - accessed December 2007