9 November 2019

Juliet

At Oxfam on Wednesday, I heard another blast from the past - "Juliet" by The Four Pennies.
It took me right back to 1964 when I was an avid follower of the British pop charts. I would copy out the "Top Ten" in my red exercise book each weekend.

There was a love, I knew before
She broke my heart, left me unsure
Juliet, don't forget
The promise you made, 
I need never be afraid
Things you do, reminiscent of you
Juliet, when we, when we met
You gave me, sweet memories
Things you do reminiscent of you
There was a love I knew before
She broke my heart, left me unsure
Juliet, don't you, oh don't you let
My love go astray, in this way
Julie , Julie, Julie, oh Julie
Oh my Juliet, Julie oh Julie
Oh my Juliet...

Formed in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1963, The Four Pennies initially consisted of Lionel Morton (vocals, rhythm guitar), Fritz Fryer (lead guitar), Mike Wilshaw (bass, keyboards, backing vocals), and Alan Buck (drums) The group's name was chosen as a more commercial alternative to "The Lionel Morton Four", and was decided upon after a meeting above a Blackburn music shop, the shop being situated on "Penny Street".

In the mid sixties The Four Pennies were probably the most commercially successful English vocal/instrumental group that failed to chart in the United States, during the so-called British Invasion. 

In Britain, "Juliet" charted at Number 1 in May 1964, staying in the charts for fifteen weeks. It was The Four Pennies' only hit. The band broke up in 1966. Their sound engineer and lead roadie Fungus O'Toole later married Christina from Blackburn who sometimes  visits this blog.

10 comments:

  1. Haha. Christina o'Toole. It has a nice ring to it.....😂
    The shop was Reidys. It's still here but not on penny street as that has been redeveloped by the wonderful council. It's now a bus station.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am relieved that you were not offended by my mischief Christina!

      Delete
  2. I remember it so well. I was a little past my prime 'following the charts' days by then. 'Until it's Time For You To Go' was another one I remember. The age of songs of romance.

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  3. Replies
    1. I am afraid that I am unfamiliar with that song Tasker. Was it by Tasker and The Right Tits?

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  4. I can't help myself...I can't stop myself from saying it...but today's music/groups/bands/soloists are not as good as the music I grew up with...or enjoyed in the 60s and 70s...and into the 80s. After then...in my opinion, in most cases, it's gone downhill!

    Much of today's music won't last as long as the music of my/our day has...and will continue doing so.

    Just my opinion, which probably isn't worth much, but I can only speak about what I enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is 55 years since 1964 and still that music persists. It never died. I very much doubt that anybody will be listening to JayZee or Kanye West in 2074.

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  5. You really liked the mushy stuff. These guys were great vocalists. We never heard them here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I admit that I am as soft as you Red!

      Delete

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