Back in 1972 Eddy watched as his brothers band won themselves a slot on the TV show Opportunity Knocks. Amoos late bandmate Ray Lake is a haunting presence throughout Everything; we learn of his troubled (and, it is implied, abusive) upbringing in childrens care, and we hear his prodigious music talent (he earned the studio nickname One Take Lake). We knew that Ray had problems, but we didnt see them quickly enough, admits Amoo. They showed you can make timeless pop, and still address the realities of urban life. The Best of The Real Thing compilation is out on BMG. Download this stock image: Ray Lake of The Real Thing, London 1977 - 2E3RP97 from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. [15], In May 2016, he was on the judges panel at the CAC show. She may not have the same list of travel essentials as celebs like Kendall Jenner (like a private jet), but she's glam enough. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, No. The latest movie news, trailers, reviews, and more. Endearingly, Eddy starts getting excited when I tell him, but then doubts my story; Really? Originally named The Sophisticated Soul Brothers, Chris Amoos band took on a savvy manager, Tony Hall (a multi-faceted journalist, promoter and jazz producer), and a snappy new name (The Real Thing was inspired by a famous soft drink advert). Pye put a sizeable marketing budget behind the release. "Love's Such a Wonderful Thing" peaked at No. email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220. [6], In 1976, they released their first album, Real Thing, which included both of their hit singles as well as a third UK hit, "You'll Never Know What You're Missing",[5] which peaked at No. [3] Amoo is married to Julie Amoo ne Mello. But the band persisted, even after the departure of Kenny Davis. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. The heatwave only ended when Downing Street ordered sports minister Denis Howell to bust a rain dance in Birmingham. He was the original voice of #ChildrenOfTheGhetto. 29 on Billboard's "R&B Singles" and No. The real thing group hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Chris Amoo - Wikipedia [16] Also in 2016, he was a judge at E.I.W.C 2016.[17]. It was the moment that got us into the business; wed never thought about it seriously until then., Beatlemania was just taking off. The Real Thing Page - soulwalking.co.uk In an extraordinary if neglected byway of pop history, they recorded an album called Four From Eight in 1978 that, as soul protest, warrants comparison to Marvin Gayes Whats Going On with the twist that their version dealt with what was going on in Toxteth, Liverpool. [8] The first four members of the Real Thing Chris Amoo, Ray Lake, Kenny Davis and Dave Smith all grew up together in Liverpool 8, hung out in some of the street gangs of the time, but bit by bit became more interested in singing than fighting. If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Culture, head over to ourFacebookpage or message us onTwitter. In 2002, Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter teamed up with DJ Falcon to release a single under the name of Together, which sampled the Real Thing's 1977 song "Love's Such a Wonderful Thing". Artistically, The Real Thing were a quadruple threat: a smart, strong, eloquent and ruggedly handsome quartet. The only failing of Simon Sheridans fond documentary is in explaining what went wrong when Jeff Wayne asked Chris Amoo to sing Forever Autumn and Thunder Child for his musical version of HG Wellss novel. ray lake the real thing daughter That, for me, is typical of Liverpool. Christopher Charles Amoo (born 14 October 1952) is a British singer-songwriter and the lead singer of English soul group, The Real Thing. Kenny Davis. They take the band where they can afford that budget, but otherwise they do a playback show, live vocals to a playback track; Its that playback show thats kept us going actually, Eddy admits. Thats another thing I think that led directly to the riots., Theres something poignant about having a career including singalong singles that filled dancefloors like You to Me Are Everything, irresistible feel good tunes like Can You Feel the Force, and classic ghetto medleys all that idealism but still being painfully aware of a harsher, depressing reality. The four promising black soul singers he was managing would have to change their name. 71[16] in the UK charts for Bangalter & Falcon), so much so that a number of other dance records used the same sample over the following years. Years active. So while technically she can be called an actor, the one child that Ray calls the "good one" of his four, isn't in the industry much anymore. The band remained close to Toxteth, even as they dealt with the highs and lows of the music industry; when anti-police riots erupted in this economically deprived neighbourhood in 1981 (the same year as in Brixton, south London, and other cities in the UK), the media coverage was frequently racist, and Toxteth became tainted by reputation. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. In 1983, they agreed to support David Essex at apartheid-era South African resort Sun City. THE Real Thing star Eddy Amoo has died aged 74. Much missed.. The summer of 1976 is commonly celebrated as the Summer when punk broke, but the first stirrings of punk were no more than flea bites in the ear of the great pop monster. In April that year, along with Alan Price and others, he appeared in the final episode of a show hosted by Marti Caine.[10][11]. Chris Amoo reckoned the worst racism he experienced was from police, who were forever pulling him over because of the racist equation: black Scouser plus new Ford Capri equals something wrong. 2019 Everything - The Real Thing Story (Documentary) Self Getting Started . Theyre amazingly under-rated; they also released lots of really good records later on, including street soul on small labels.. Dave Haslam, Author and DJ - Official Site At Sun City, we sang Children Of The Ghetto; we were then called in, and asked not to do it again. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. The Americans deserved the real thing. Begun in 1970 by Chris Amoo, Dave Smith, Kenny Davis and Ray Lake, The Real Thing's live, progressive soul-influenced covers of American hits attracted enough attention for them to secure a recording deal with EMI. [4] The singles they released through EMI in 1972 were not successful sellers, but the band persisted even after the departure of Kenny Davis. The Real Thing represented a huge breakthrough in black British music. As kids, Amoo, his siblings and friends would develop a love for funky, politically sharp trailblazers, such as Curtis Mayfield (in particular, his 1967 black pride anthem Were A Winner), Marvin Gaye, The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron. "You to Me Are Everything (The Decade Remix)" by DJ Froggy, Simon Harris and KC charted twice in the UK, peaking at No. Manchester-based band Sweet Sensation had hits eighteen months before the Real Thing; they were the first Black British soul act to get to number one in October 1974, with Sad Sweet Dreamer. Incorrigibly romantic middle-aged blokes singing how they would stop the rain from falling at their lovers request to an audience of still-besotted fans. They had arrived; four long years after Opportunity Knocks the Real Thing picked up the Daily Mirror Best New Group award. 6, remaining for a consecutive 13 weeks. Eddy was a showman, a songwriter, and a legend in British music with Liverpudlian band The Real Thing. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Their follow-up, "Can't Get By Without You", did not chart in the US but was still a success in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 2. Get 20% Off Images: JAN20OFF. The band charted internationally with their song "You to Me Are Everything", which reached No. NEXT:Here's How Dave Chappelle Landed A $60 Million Netflix Deal. And if you liked this story,sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called The Essential List. [4][5] Their follow-up, \"Can't Get By Without You\", did not chart in the U.S. but was still a success in England, where it reached the top 10.\r\rIn 1976, they released their first album, Real Thing[6], which included both of their hit singles as well as a third UK hit, \"You'll Never Know What You're Missing\",[7] which peaked at #16. The Smooth Late Show with Danny Pietroni Royalties on the songs theyve written have also aided their income, notably from Eddy and Chris Amoos writing credit on the song Children of the Ghetto which has been recorded by Courtney Pine and then by Philip Bailey from Earth, Wind & Fire. But I think that when you have success particularly if you come off the street a lot of people expect different things and you find that you dont change but a lot of people around you do. By 1973 and 1974 American soul records were again featuring high in the British pop charts; some were by old favourites like Stevie Wonder, but there was also a new generation like the OJays, and Barry White and his Love Unlimited Orchestra. "We would love to do that, and we most probably will no doubt but it is really difficult. 1980's "She's a Groovy Freak" capped a successful run, at No. View our online Press Pack. I'd have liked this film to have explored his story a little more, though obviously I appreciate that there's only so much you can tell in ninety . Although because of the advent of social media that does give you an outlet; you dont have to go cap in hand to record companies now in order to get played. But I think it was possibly the wrong time for audiences to accept it, and radio stations werent interested in playing anything that wasnt commercially viable. Especially racism; I dont think things are as bad as they were in the early 70s, Eddy believes, But the fact still remains that Liverpool is still a very institutionally racist city. Ray Lake, RIP He was The Real Thing Tragic ending but then so too was the fate of Kenny Davis who, having bowed out just before the band hit the big time, eventually drowned in the Mersey. and 'Can't Get By Without You', we'd argue that The Real Thing are a somewhat overlooked and underrated group. She's also done plenty of traveling, to Sicily, Anguilla, and Xochimilco, among other international destinations, and often times with her family. If we were going to do anything, wed do it together., The Real Thing were one of the most popular groups of the 1970s in the UK, with five top 10 hits (Credit: Alamy). Learn how and when to remove this template message, The Real Thing bring their 40th anniversary tour to Edmonton Mattie Lacey-Davidson, "Eddy Amoo: The Real Thing singer dies at 73", Page 75 Billboard Hits Of The World, Britain, Record Details, Chris Amoo, Catalogue: PAR 118, Record Details, Chris Amoo And Debby Bishop, Catalogue: EMI 5455, Marti Caine, BBC Two England, 10 April 1984, Contributors, TV: Compiled by DAVID BELCHER, BBC2, 9.0 Marti Caine, The battle to be top dog is on as Birmingham prepares for Crufts, Irish Wolfhound- Levriero irlandese 25th French Breed Show Nationale DElevage RALIE, CAC Show For all Sighthound and Mediterranean Breeds, Crufts 88, BBC Two England, 7 February 1988, Motown on the Mersey, BBC Radio 2, 6 March 2007, "Everything: The Real Thing Story review the searing saga of Britain's soul pioneers", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Amoo&oldid=1130872808, Short description with empty Wikidata description, Wikipedia articles with style issues from March 2017, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Singer, songwriter, dog competition judge, dog breeder, Credited to Sunzet featuring Chris Amoo of the Real Thing, Brian Whitehouse (Dir. And their shirtless photo shoots had a subtext, argues Trevor Nelson: Were black men and if this is a threat to your white male sexuality, thats your problem. I tested this hypothesis wearing a waistcoat, Real Thing-style, while writing this. The Real Thing's Children Of The Ghetto has been covered by musicians like Mary J Blige and Courtney Pine (Credit: Alamy) . Before that, Romano earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and media studies, worked as a TV Talent Assistant, served as an Executive Assistant to Betsy Beers. Slade? But in 1976 the conditions were right for more British soul music to make an impact; in June 1976 it was the turn of the Real Thing to get to hit the top of the charts. One day in 1972, a pop picker called Tony Hall was driving through Piccadilly Circus when he noticed a Coca-Cola billboard. Today, Cokes rights department would shut that rebrand down before you could say Id like to teach the world to sing. By the mid-70s, The Real Thing had earned a record deal, made their debut on BBCs Top Of The Pops, and honed their trademark harmonies with lush instrumentation; they worked regularly with British pop rocker David Essex, supporting him on a US tour and also finding themselves playing alongside Miles Daviss musicians at hip Greenwich Village venue The Bottom Line. Sadly, Eddy passed away at the age of 73 in February 2018. 10pm - 1am, Human Nature Liverpudlian quartet the Real Thing, who tackled prejudice and challenged the pop status quo in the 70s, are the subject of Simon Sheridans fond and vital documentary. [7], In 1981, his single "This Must Be Love", (a Phil Collins composition) b/w "You'll Never Know What You're Missing" was released on the Precision label. He is also a dog breeder, and a judge at dog shows including Crufts, where he has had great success with his Afghan Hound . Chris added after the statement: The fans' outpouring of support makes us realise how much love there is out there for The Real Thing, and we're doing this for them, and for Eddy, who was the greatest showman. You to Me Are Everything (The Decade Remix 7686), I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch), List of bands and artists from Merseyside, List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, "Subversive dreamers: Liverpool songwriting from the Beatles to the Zutons", "Children of the Ghetto; the Story of the Real Thing", "October 20, 1984: Champaign, Angela Bofill, Teena Marie, Force MD's, Laura Pallas", "The Real Thing We Got Love / Street Scene RCA UK RCA 445", "THOMAS BANGALTER/DJ FALCON | full Official Chart History", "REAL THING | full Official Chart History", "FREELOADERS FEAT. 4 From 8 is a good album Im not knocking it it didnt have that commercial edge you need. A lot of my mates ended up doing time and have come out and have got their lives together and maybe it would have been the same for me. Kenny Davis left the group relatively early on, and member Ray Lake sadly passed away in 2000. In a statement, Chris and Dave said: It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our brother and inspiration, Eddy Amoo, who passed away on February 23, age 74. 0 . Eddy was still in the Chants, but gave Chris every encouragement, sitting in on rehearsals, coaching the group; I liked the idea because I was into something that would keep them off the streets, so I was really up for it., Black American music had always been revered in Britain, and white youth had devoured releases on the Chess, Stax and Motown labels from the mod era and beyond; bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones had begun their careers in the early 1960s doing cover versions of Chuck Berry and Motown. 72. Thats where we wanted to go, musically. The film was a big hit, but Eddy still regrets Lets Go Disco was ever a single. [8] \"Can't Get By Without You (the Second Decade Remix)\" rose almost as high to #6, remaining a consecutive 13 weeks. ), but Alexandra is very obviously happy with the life she's chosen. 64 on the . You didnt feel safe when you saw a police car appear.. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, No. In 2015, Eddy spoke about the band's hopes for a new album, telling UK Music Reviews:"We have got a huge library of material but it is not that simple. The Real Thing's last chart appearance was featuring on the dance track 'So Much Love To Give' by the Freeloaders in 2005, which sampled 'Love's Such a Wonderful Thing' and reached number 9. Profile: English falsetto vocalist and founding member of The Real Thing. Lake struggled with mental health issues and drug use, leading to his eventual departure from the band, and he was just 48 when he tragically died in 2000. The band made enough of an impact to release Vicious Circle on Bell Records which unfortunately flopped. There were numerous trios and quartets; vocal groups like the Stylistics, the Detroit Emeralds, and Gladys Knights Pips with silky harmonies, slickly choreographed dance moves, and brightly colourful suits which made the early colour TVs throb with excitement. Ray Lake | Discography | Discogs So basically the album flopped, although out of it Children of the Ghetto has become a bit of a classic.. [26] The latter act went on to be renamed The Real Thing by manager Tony Hall, after seeing the Coca-Cola advert on a large billboard in Piccadilly Circus. Even now if you go into the town centre of Liverpool you can actually count the number of black people who actually work in the town centre on your hand and thats even now., Its clear the band has been undervalued in Liverpool, even though they made a conscious decision not to move to London; We are a band and weve had about nineteen chart entries and I cant think of one festival or function that we have been invited to do on Merseyside.