ONE of Britain’s most popular soul bands is coming to Ilkley, when The Foundations perform their greatest hits at King’s Hall on Friday, February 28 1t 7.30pm.
The soul-edged Foundations emerged from a ska/reggae group known as The Ramongs, who met up in the back room of a pub in Edmonton.
The Foundations first came to attention in 1967 with the worldwide number one Baby Now That I’ve Found You. They had signed for the Pye label and came under the wing of producer/songwriter Tony Macaulay, who had penned the number with John MacLeod.
The band members were Alan Warner (guitarist, backing vocals), Clem Curtis (lead vocals), Pat Burke (flute, tenor saxophone), Mike Elliott (tenor saxophone), Eric Allendale (trombone), Tony Gomesz, (Keyboards), Peter Macbeth (bass) and Tim Harris (drums).
The follow-up Back On My Feet Again reached number 18 in Britain and then Any Old Time (You’re Lonely And Sad) got to number 48.
Clem Curtis left The Foundations and was replaced by Colin Young, who was the lead vocalist for the group’s next international chart-topper Build Me Up Buttercup. This was written by Macaulay and Manfred Mann’s lead singer, Mike D’Abo. The distinctive piano intro at the beginning of the record was actually played by Mike D’Abo.
The Colin Young era also produced the hits In The Bad Bad Old Days (Before You Loved Me) and Born To Live, Born To Die.
The band split up in the early 1970s, but after the huge success of the box office movie ‘There’s something about Mary’, which featured the original hit record Build me up Buttercup Alan Warner put the band together again.
Another smash hit film followed ‘Shallow Hal’ which featured another Foundations original recording, Baby, now that I’ve Found You, gaining even more fans. The current line-up is: Hue Montgomery (lead vocals); Alan Warner (lead guitar/backing vocals); Paul Hirsch (keyboards); Roger Nicholas (bass/backing vocals); Pete Stroud (drums); Nick Payn (saxophone/Backing Vocals); Matt Winch (Trumpet).
Tickets: £29.50, Boxes (seat 4): £118. Call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
All prices shown include booking fees but are subject to postage charge if applicable. Bradford Theatres usual terms and conditions apply.
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