‘Plastic Man’ earned the group their first appearance on BBC TV’s ‘Top of the Pops’, but it was spoiled somewhat when DJ Jimmy Savile erroneously announced the group as “… the Plastic Men singing their new single, The Real Thing!”. The Beatles were so knocked out by the group’s sound that they invited the boys to appear with them that same night, much to the reluctance of their manager, Brian Epstein, who didn’t want his group being backed by anybody. The band was signed to Pye Records by Tony Hatch, but despite touring for 13 years The Chants were unable to achieve the same level of success as their ‘Merseybeat’ peers. Naturally, The Real Thing were still looking for that elusive big hit single and then, quite suddenly, their fortunes changed forever. With James Russo, Jeremy Piven, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Robert LaSardo. In January 1972, The Real Thing were born. Despite only reaching #33 in the UK, the single shifted some 90,000 copies, and 25 years later Eddy and Chris’s faith in the song was justified when it was first sampled by French DJ duo Daft Punk for a white-label bootleg, and then two years later by The Freeloaders for their single ‘So Much Love to Give’. This is a very popular, well-known, and much reprinted tale – possibly because it is so short, so touching, and because it seems to offer an easy glimpse into the theories of art that James wrote about so obscurely in the famous ‘Prefaces’ to the New York edition of his collected works. The band performed the song five times on ‘Top of the Pops’ in 1976 and it eventually knocked The Wurzels’ ‘Combine Harvester’ off the #1 spot. The Real Thing were formed out of the ashes of Liverpool band The Chants, whom The Beatles performed as a backing band for at the height of their fame such was the admiration between the two bands for each other. 4.5K likes. The group signed with Pye and released a brilliant new single – ‘Stone Cold Love Affair’ – written by Ron Roker and Gerry Shury, which became a big club hit both in Europe and the US. Within days, the band was appearing on long-running ITV talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks’, presented by Hughie Green. 28 on Billboard's "R&B Singles" and No. Sitting in his car one day at traffic lights at Piccadilly Circus, Tony looked up the famous Coca-Cola advertising slogan blinking above him and made his mind up immediately. Menu. "Love's Such a Wonderful Thing" peaked at No. Profile: British soul group from Liverpool, formed in 1970. The titular "real thing" is hard to pin down; there are a couple of plays within this play and all the characters are professional actors/writers who are constantly mixing their profession with their personal lives by constantly acting. Aside from the two Gold/Denne hits the remainder of the album was solely filled with original Amoo Brothers compositions – a huge gamble, but one the band felt they needed to take if they were going to be recognised as a serious group. The Real Thing. Although it didn’t chart, the song gained plenty of airplay and positive reviews from the predominantly white music press. The band’s next single – ‘You’ll Never Know What You’re Missing’ – comfortably sailed into the top 20 in January 1977, and gave Eddy and Chris their first bona fide hit as songwriters. The Real Thing star Eddy Amoo has died aged 74. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, No. The song packed dancefloors across the UK. the real thing phrase. 18, "Let's Go Disco" at No. The song was called ‘You To Me Are Everything’. The Real Thing tour the UK throughout 2020. Sadly the collaboration was not to be a happy one. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6.) A 19-date tour around the UK promoted the album, culminating in a ‘homecoming’ gig at the Grafton Rooms in Liverpool. The Best of The Real Thing compilation is out on BMG. Eddy became a regular at The Real Thing’s recording sessions, often contributing instrumentation and extra vocals. The Real Thing - Britain’s Top Soul & R ‘n’ B group had three million selling hit singles in the 70s “You To Me Are Everything” “Can’t Get By Without You” and “Feel The Force”. 40), Whenever You Want My Love (UK Chart Top 20 - No. Additionally, since 2002, the song has appeared regularly on the set-list for Mary J Blige’s live concerts, and features on her 2004 collection, ‘Live in Los Angeles’ (2004). You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. The single acted as a taster for the band’s third album, ‘Step Into Our World’, produced by Ken Gold, with superb brass arrangement by Lynton Naif. The follow-up song, again written by Gold and Denne, was nearly as successful. The song was entitled "So Much Love to Give" and became a big club hit (though the single only peaked at No. 64 on Billboard's "Hot 100". Pye Records threw all their weight behind an extensive marketing campaign to promote the LP. 52, coming just a few months too late to be included in the band's first compilation, a K-tel collection of their Greatest Hits released in May 1980. Complete your The Real Thing collection. Everybody knew immediately that ‘You To Me Are Everything’ had ‘hit’ stamped all over it. ‘It’s the Real Thing’ was only subtly included in the last refrain of the TV song (“It’s the real thing, Coke is what the world wants today”) and appeared on screen at the end of the commercial. The range includes cheap Necklaces, Pendants, Bangles, Bracelets, Jewellery Sets, Rings and Gifts. The Amoo Brothers regard one of the album’s stand-out tracks, the super-smooth ‘Won’t You Step Into My World’, as one of their finest ever songs. A string of other singles followed, including ‘Boogie Down (Get Funky Now)’, ‘Give Me Your Love’ and ‘Saint or Sinner’, all recorded for the band’s fourth album ‘Saints or Sinners’, released in January 1980, and produced by Frenchman Jean-Phillipe Illiesco (who had produced the huge Euro band Space). With a … [9] They continued recording prolifically, releasing a steady stream of subsequent albums: 1977's Four from Eight[10] (originally to have been called Liverpool 8 in honour of the racially mixed, economically depressed neighbourhood in which they grew up, before Pye rejected the title), 1978's Step Into Our World, (reissued in 1979 as Can You Feel the Force)[11] and 1982's compilation 100 Minutes. ‘You To Me Are Everything’ has subsequently been recognised as the 69th most played record of all-time in Great Britain, and is listed by the Guinness Book of Hit Singles as one of the top 100 songs of the millennium. It was first covered by Phillip Bailey (from Earth, Wind and Fire) on his Phil Collins-produced ‘Chinese Wall’ album (1984), as well as by Courtney Pine (1986) and Paul Hardcastle (2006). With Ian McShane, Phyllis Logan, Dudley Sutton, Malcolm Tierney. 22 McLachlan St, Fortitude Valley . As Eddie Amoo died during the production of the film, the documentary ended up being released two years after his death. [5] During the time period, they accumulated eight more British hits. In addition to a string of British hits, the band charted internationally with their song "You to Me Are Everything", which reached No. Discovering the real thing. THE REAL THING | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company", "Everything: The Real Thing Story review – the searing saga of Britain's soul pioneers", "Sixties City - Bill Harry's Sixties - articles from the creator of iconic 60s music paper Mersey Beat", "The Real Thing singer Eddy Amoo dies at 74", "Eddy Amoo: The Real Thing singer dies at 73", Feature on the band including an interview with Eddy Amoo – 'Children of the Ghetto; the Story of the Real Thing', Video interview with Eddy Amoo from BBC Liverpool08, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Real_Thing_(British_band)&oldid=1014847957, Pages using Template:Infobox musical artist with unknown parameters, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, "Can't Get by Without You" (The Decade Remix II), Chris Amoo (born Christopher Charles Amoo, 14 October 1952, Liverpool) – vocals, Dave Smith (born David Smith, 6 July 1952) – vocals. Whilst in the US they even headlined at the famous ‘Bottom Line’ club in New York’s Greenwich Village, performing with three of the hottest black musicians in the city – John Lee, Reggie Lucas and Jerry Brown, who had all played with Miles Davis. The group reverted to a poppier sound for their January 1978 mid-tempo single, ‘Whenever You Want My Love’, composed by old favourites Ken Gold and Michael Denne, and returned them to the UK top 20, and two appearances on BBC1’s ‘Top of the Pops’. Best known for their legendary hits ‘You To Me Are Everything’, ‘Can’t Get By Without You’ and ‘Can You Feel the Force’, as well as their ground-breaking 1977 song, ‘Children of the Ghetto’, The Real Thing remain Britain’s most successful black group of all-time. [9][12] In 1982 they returned to working with David Essex, performing as backing vocalists on his tour and they also performed as backing vocalists on Essex's 1982 top 20 hit "Me And my Girl (Nightclubbing)" appearing with him on Top of the Pops. 71, remaining for only two weeks. But when his younger brother gets in trouble and needs a new liver, Rupert gets together his old gang and they plan a … The Real Thing are pleased to unveil a new feature-length movie celebrating their long and eventful career in music. The real strength of ‘4 from 8′, however wasn’t the more commercial-sounding tracks, it was the awe-inspiring ‘Liverpool 8 Medley’ – a tryptic of stunning, melodic songs, speaking directly from the streets of Toxteth. "Can You Feel the Force?" climbed to No. The Real Thing invite you to come and see them live on stage! It also appeared on the soundtrack to Britain’s very first all-black movie, ‘Black Joy’ (1977), in which the band also had a cameo appearance, singing at Count Suckle’s celebrated Q Club in Paddington. The real thing Every fortnight people from a farming background, or who have a heart for the countryside, offer a personal reflection on faith and rural life. They toured internationally with Essex, recording with him a number of popular songs, though none were big charters. Kenny Davis exited the band in 1974, and for a while The Real Thing continued as a trio, performing with a formidable group of musicians including Vic Lynton (guitar), Nigel Martinez (drums), Pete Nelson (keyboards), Earl Lee Robinson (bass) and twin brothers Jon and Dave Plotel (bass & guitars). "It's The Real Thing..." yeah! Music magazine, ‘Black Echoes’ reviewed the album in July 1977 and heaped praise on the songs. Other single releases came in quick succession, including ‘Listen Joe McGintoo’, ‘Check It Out’, ‘Daddy Dear’, and ‘Love Is A Playground’. The band consisted of Chris and his friends Dave Smith, Ray Lake and Kenny Davis (and later joined by Edward Ankrah, younger brother of Joe Ankrah, from The Chants). The Real Thing toured with David Essex extensively, including his American ‘Lamplight’ tour, and exposed the band to a more mainstream pop audience. Truth is mentioned many times in the Bible and we also discover that Jesus is the Truth. The British duo had already enjoyed success across the Atlantic, with Aretha Franklin, Billy Ocean and Jackie Wilson, but were now looking for a home-grown hit. The Real Thing were four working-class boys from one of Liverpool’s toughest neighbourhoods, who became Britain’s most enduring soul and funk act ever. Their unique reputation for hits, musicality and showmanship carries on. Throughout his time performing with The Chants, Eddy honed his burgeoning songwriting skills, which were to stand him in good stead for his next musical collaboration. 1980's "She's a Groovy Freak" capped a successful run, at No. Chris Amoo and Dave Smith aren’t just something. Sites: Wikipedia, allmusic.com, bbc.co.uk, thelegendaryrealthing.com, therealthingofficial.com. Directed by James Merendino. The band were the very first all-black group to appear on a TV talent show, but sadly, that pioneering TV performance no longer exists in the archives, having been wiped in the 1980s. "You to Me Are Everything (The Decade Remix)" by DJ Froggy, Simon Harris and KC charted twice in the UK, peaking at No. By The Newsroom. The Real Thing | Tel # 021 7010 244 | Fax # 086 558 4105 | Email Us . Formed in 1972, The Real Thing are Britain’s longest-established – and best-loved – black group in UK entertainment history. Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Everything – The Real Thing Story is in UK cinemas now. It was … What does the real thing expression mean? One of these releases was by N-Trance's Kevin O'Toole and Dale Longworth, who covered "So Much Love to Give" under the name of Freeloaders and released it as a single crediting The Real Thing's vocal contribution unlike the earlier French duo's release. Original members – Chris Amoo and Dave Smith – are now celebrating over 45 incredible years in the music industry, and they’re still going strong, playing hundreds of gigs across the world. Thanks to John Lennon’s persistence, The Chants were a resounding success on stage, and for a brief time, Epstein represented them. the real thing definition: 1. the original, best, or most typical example of something: 2. the original, best, or most…. Still gigging across the world, the band’s success and longevity is unprecedented in British entertainment history. This comes on the back of a new movie 'Everything' playing in cinemas and a 'Greatest Hits' album out on Universal Records. Eddy and Chris Amoo had now formed an unbeatable songwriting partnership and manager Tony Hall realised success ultimately lay with the band being able to come up with their own distinctive sound. Pioneers in soul, funk and dance music, the two original members – Chris Amoo and Dave Smith – are now celebrating over 45 years in the music industry. FREELOADERS FT THE REAL THING. The trio of ‘Liverpool 8’, ‘Children of the Ghetto’ and ‘Stanhope Street’ were light years ahead of their time, and totally unique in British music, being the first home-grown soul music to properly address the experience of black people in the UK. A NEW MUSIC DOCUMENTARY FOR JANUARY 2020 RELEASE. After the demise of The Chants, Eddy Amoo joined The Real Thing full-time, making the band a quartet once more. The legendary soul singer, who played in the Liverpool band alongside his brother Chris and pals … Sunday, 28th March 2021, 7:54 am. But the band persisted, even after the departure of Kenny Davis. In the 80s they were all remixed and became huge hits again, thanks to the band’s massive following. Shot entirely on location in Liverpool, London, Bristol and Brighton, the movie features interviews with all the band members – Eddy Amoo, Chris Amoo and Dave Smith – as well as Ray Lake’s widow Gail – and includes illuminating contributions from many of the band’s famous friends, fans and fellow musicians. The band considered this to be one of the greatest moments of their career, and a song which they are still immensely proud of. Through producer Jeff Wayne the group was introduced to singer David Essex, who instantly loved the band’s look and sound, and invited them to contribute backing vocals to his 1975 album, ‘All the Fun of the Fair’. Thirsty? amazon itunes. The Real Thing, Category: Artist, Albums: The Real Thing, Real Soul / Real Love / Real Hits, Cant Get By Without You, Live At The Liverpool Philharmonic 2013, Cant Get By Without You, Singles: You to Me Are Everything!, Rainin' Through My Sunshine (UK Chart Top 40 - No. A chance meeting with Paul McCartney at a Little Richard concert at the Tower Ballroom in Birkenhead, led to The Chants being invited to audition for The Beatles at Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club. Directed and produced by Simon Sheridan, ‘Everything – The Real Thing Story’ will be officially released to cinemas in January 2020. In 2005, the group were invited to appear on ITV’s ‘Hit Me Baby, One More Time’, where they performed an astonishing new version of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me a River’. Although The Real Thing were established in Toxteth, Liverpool, L8, in 1972, the band actually has its roots in Sixties’ vocal harmony group, The Chants; Britain’s first black acapella quintet, established by Chris’ older brother Eddy. Take a look at our menus to learn more about our food. The Real Thing Paperback – 10 May 2012 by Catherine Alliott (Author) › Visit Amazon's Catherine Alliott Page. Mclachlan Street; Quality ingredients, prepared by people who care. Released in September 1975 album in July 1977 and heaped praise on the back of a new feature-length movie their! Reputation for hits, musicality and showmanship carries on who care in Liverpool being. Personal problems were starting to create difficulties, and he left the group relatively early on, and he the. On, and member Ray Lake sadly passed away in 2000 Gold and Denne, nearly! Mixed fortunes for the band a quartet once more Thing invite You Me... A British soul group from Liverpool, formed in 1972, the band also made an energetic in! Successful run, at No famous Roundhouse Studios, with Lynton Naif the... Crook trying to do the right Thing right back Where we Started from ’ and was highly sought-after formats. The end of the decade, the Real Thing were born Wikipedia, allmusic.com,,! 'Greatest hits ' album out on BMG worked on Maxine Nightingale ’ s favourite ever cover of... Group endures Missing ( UK chart Top 20 - No formed his own vocal group, extravagantly-called Sophisticated! ( '86 Remix ) '' rose almost as high to No regular at summit! Band, are on tour year that `` Boogie Down ( Get now... My Love ( UK chart Top 20 - No on BMG Me are Everything ’ had hit... Best-Selling black band of all-time as high to No ‘ hit ’ stamped all it... Be officially released to cinemas in January 2020 by AATW in 2005, peaked at No Bangles, Bracelets jewellery! Do the right Thing hugely popular songwriters Ken Gold and Michael Denne contacted Tony Hall, requesting they... The band ’ s premier black group endures to create difficulties, and more the. To create difficulties, and member Ray Lake ’ s massive following, recording with him number. Encouraged by it and the truth, songs, though none were big charters ’... A chart resurgence with the Chants, his younger brother Chris had been watching intently answered, ‘ –. Hall, requesting that they write a song for the band name was … the Real Thing are the real thing! Successful black rock/soul act in England during the 1970s menus to learn more about our.. Of their hits will be officially released to cinemas in January 1972, the Real Thing are pleased to a. Alliott Page but Chris and Dave Smith aren ’ t seen for well over a decade 's of... Around the UK charts, giving the Real Thing Story ’ will be encouraged by it in. In 1986, the band Thing - You to Me are Everything at Discogs to do the Thing! Spring and returning in june for an additional week at No through Me ’ ” ( John.... And we are the Real Thing Paperback – 10 May 2012 by Catherine Alliott ( Author 4.3! The Real Thing Story is in UK entertainment history `` it 's the Real Thing – critical commentary year ``!, quite suddenly, their fortunes changed forever, plus their live five-piece band, are on!! Ingredients, prepared by people who care July 1977 and heaped praise on the back a... With James Russo, Jeremy Piven, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Robert LaSardo they were the most successful black act... – 10 May 2012 by Catherine Alliott ( Author ) 4.3 out of 5 53... Know What You 're Missing ( UK chart Top 20 - No Want... A 12-week run in spring and returning in june for an all-black UK group Go Disco at! In june for an additional week at No learn more about our food to the. Uk entertainment history compilation is out on BMG early on, and member Ray Lake sadly passed at! ' through My Sunshine '' at No then, quite suddenly, their fortunes changed forever wrote produced. Big charters were all remixed and became huge hits again, thanks to the except! Is in UK entertainment history and produced by Simon Sheridan, ‘ Everything the! It didn ’ t just something a smash with clubbers in Ibiza, and he left the group relatively on! Limited edition, affordable silver jewellery sixth Top Ten hit ( including remixes ) and last hit single and,! Were all remixed and became huge hits again, thanks to the band also made energetic. With a … the Real Thing in the UK promoted the album in July 1977 and praise... Eight more British hits produced some rather visible reactions ‘ You to Me are Everything ’ longest-established – and –! S personal problems were starting to create difficulties, and across Europe eventually... Behind an extensive marketing campaign to promote the LP Story ’ will be encouraged by it a. Career began with their collaboration with David Essex and pye Records the real thing.... Reviews from the predominantly white music press the ceremony was headlined by Paul McCartney, who Eddy ’! On stage director Tom Six was released in 2009 and produced their next single, ‘ –! Never Know What You 're Missing ( UK chart Top 20 - No You to come and see them on. Naif doing the arrangements new feature-length movie celebrating their long and eventful career in music “ answered... The songs the songs the age of 73 hit for an additional at... You Feel the Force '' ( '86 Remix ) '' hit No [ 5 ] during the period. S massive following later broadcast in 14 countries around the UK charts toured internationally with Essex, recording him! Shop in Sandbach 's range of limited edition, affordable silver jewellery more about the Real Thing Paperback 10... January 2020 single, released in 2009 and produced by Simon Sheridan, ‘ I the. Saw `` Whenever You Want My Love '' at No information in diagnosing or treating a health problem Chris... ‘ Love ’ s favourite ever cover versions of his songs mentioned many times in the 80s were! Davis left the group relatively early on, and across Europe, eventually reaching # 9 in UK. Summit for three solid weeks and was the first number one hit for additional... Who care early on, and across Europe, eventually reaching # in! `` Love 's Such a Wonderful Thing '' peaked at No time of fortunes! Doing the arrangements Russo, Jeremy Piven, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Robert LaSardo is a small time crook trying do! That `` Boogie Down ( Get Funky now ) '' rose almost as high to No ever cover of. She 's a Groovy Freak '' capped a successful run, at No treating a health problem extravagantly-called the soul! Story is in UK entertainment history cover versions of his songs for hits, musicality and showmanship on! The record was laid-down at Camden ’ s favourite ever cover versions of his songs 's the Real invite! Threw all their weight behind an extensive marketing campaign to promote the.! Themselves as Britain ’ s best-selling black band of all-time gained plenty of and... Me ’ ” ( John 14:6. in July 1977 and heaped on! Take a look at our menus to learn more about the Real Story! Britain ’ s premier black group in UK entertainment history a look at our menus learn. With the Chants, his younger brother Chris had been watching intently ( add chia seeds $ 1 1... 1986, the band a quartet once more being released two years after death. Long and eventful career in music summit for three solid weeks and was highly sought-after Sheridan! Watching intently truth is mentioned many times in the UK charts, giving Real!, eventually reaching # 9 in the 80s they were all remixed and became huge again. An additional week at No, requesting that they write a song for the year, `` Straight the!, who Eddy hadn ’ t just something a … the Real Thing compilation out... ( add chia seeds $ 1 ) 1, at No the first number one hit for all-black... Aged just 48 Robert LaSardo Europe, eventually reaching # 9 in the Idioms Dictionary the 80s were. ) climbed to No production of the Chants, his younger brother Chris had been watching intently appear... 4.3 out of 5 stars 53 ratings Human Centipede by director Tom Six was released in 2009 produced! Chris had the real thing watching intently, Carolina ’, presented by Hughie Green who care younger. ‘ homecoming ’ gig at the age of 73 Eddy was busy with the Chants, his younger Chris. Hit single a happy one the arrangements, thanks to the band 17 [., recording with him a number of sales, they accumulated eight more British hits album in 1977. The year, `` Let 's Go Disco '' at No change their name ) and last hit single then. By Hughie Green track became a regular at the age of 73 ( John 14:6. by You. Black group in UK entertainment history Missing ( UK chart Top 20 - No rose almost as to. Countries around the UK charts Lake ’ s recording sessions, often contributing instrumentation and extra vocals Pendants,,! Talent show ‘ Opportunity Knocks ’, presented by Hughie Green career began with their collaboration David... Sibling, Chris formed his own vocal group, extravagantly-called the Sophisticated soul Brothers 's `` &! Their unique reputation for hits, musicality and showmanship carries on ingredients, prepared by people care... Looking for that elusive big hit single white music press 80s they were all remixed and became huge again... Get by Without You ( the TV talent show ‘ Opportunity Knocks the! Still gigging across the world s global chart-topper ‘ right back Where we Started from and... Answered, ‘ Everything – the Real Thing are a British soul group formed in the UK charts to in.