Arrows (British band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Headquarters | London , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music recordings, Television shows |
The Arrows were a London-originated group active between 1974 and 1977, comprising American vocalist and bassist Alan Merrill, American guitarist Jake Hooker, and English drummer Paul Varley, who took over from Clive Williams early in their formation. They gained recognition on the UK charts with songs such as "Touch Too Much" and "My Last Night with You", both produced by Mickie Most under RAK Records. The band was the first to record Merrill's composition "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which later became widely popular through Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' rendition.
Career
Initially, The Arrows were managed by Peter Meaden, known for managing The Who, who inspired the band's name based on The Who’s arrow logo.
Early recordings
Their most successful single, "Touch Too Much" (1974), climbed to number 2 on South African charts and stayed within the top 20 for 15 weeks. The subsequent release, "Toughen Up," reached number 51 in the UK. In the same year, they earned Belgium’s Golden Lion award recognizing them as the "best new band" and appeared on Belgian television.
Eamonn Carr, later associated with Freddie + The Dreamers/St Cecilia, joined them as a touring pianist and keyboardist.
Broadcasting
The Arrows are notable for hosting two separate 14-week UK television series titled Arrows during 1976 and 1977, aired on Granada Television and produced by Muriel Young. They remain unique as the only band to have two weekly TV shows without releasing any records during those broadcasts, due to disagreements between manager Ian Wright of the M.A.M. Agency and producer Mickie Most. Each series consisted of fourteen half-hour episodes, totaling twenty-eight shows. Their last single, "Once Upon a Time," was issued one month prior to the debut of their first series in 1976. It is noteworthy that Joan Jett encountered "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" while touring England in 1976 and watched The Arrows perform it on their program.
Their only television appearance in the United States occurred on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in February 1975, where they performed their UK hits "Touch Too Much" and "Toughen Up."
Post activity
In 1976, Beatles biographer and Mersey Beat editor Bill Harry published Arrows: The Official Story.
Terry Taylor, who joined the group for their second TV series in late 1976, is currently active with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.
The track "Moving Next Door to You," written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker, appeared on BBC1’s Homes Under the Hammer (series 18, episode 70). This song served as the B-side to their 1975 single "My Last Night with You," produced by Mickie Most. Additionally, "We Can Make It Together," the B-side of "Touch Too Much," was featured in series 19, episode 53 of the same show.
Their album First Hit saw a re-release in Japan on March 11, 2015 through Warner Brothers Japan, including additional bonus material.
The founding members Paul Varley (1952–2008), Jake Hooker (1953–2014), and Alan Merrill (1951–2020) have all since passed away.
Album
- First Hit (1976), Rak Records
Archival releases
- 1998 First Hit (reissue with bonus tracks) – CD
- 2001 Singles Collection Plus
- 2002 Tawny Tracks
- 2004 A's B's and Rarities
- 2015 First Hit (Japanese reissue with bonus tracks)
Singles
| Year | A-side | B-side | Label | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | "Touch Too Much" (Nicky Chinn / Mike Chapman) |
"We Can Make It Together" (Alan Merrill / Jake Hooker) |
RAK 171 | (Reached UK #8) |
| 1974 | "Toughen Up" (Nicky Chinn / Mike Chapman) |
"Diesel Locomotive Dancer" (Alan Merrill / Jake Hooker) |
RAK 182 | (Peaked at UK #54) |
| 1975 | "My Last Night with You" (Roger Ferris) |
"Movin' Next Door To You" (Alan Merrill / Jake Hooker) |
RAK 189 | (UK chart position #25) |
| 1975 | "Broken Down Heart" (Roger Ferris) |
"I Love Rock 'n' Roll"[lower-alpha 1] (Alan Merrill / Jake Hooker) |
RAK 205 | |
| 1975 | "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"[lower-alpha 1] (Alan Merrill / Jake Hooker) |
"Broken Down Heart" (Roger Ferris) |
RAK 205 | |
| 1975 | "Hard Hearted" (Roger Ferris) |
"My World Is Turning On Love" (Alan Merrill / Jake Hooker) |
RAK 218 | |
| 1976 | "Once Upon A Time" (Bill Martin / Phil Coulter) |
"Boogiest Band In Town" (Bill Martin / Phil Coulter) |
RAK 231 |
List of songs
Below is a sortable catalog of all tracks by Arrows:
| Song | Writer(s) | Duration | Producer | Album | Year | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "A Love Like Ours" | Alan Merrill, Terry Taylor | 4:13 | unknown | Tawny Tracks | 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Always Another Train" | Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker, Terry Taylor | 5:12 | Bill Wyman | Tawny Tracks | 1977 | unreleased | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "At The Candy Shop" | Alan Merrill, Bill Wyman | 4:13 | unknown | Tawny Tracks | 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Baby Doll" | Alan Merrill, Bill Wyman | 3:06 | unknown | Tawny Tracks | 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Bam Bam Battering Ram" | Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker | Mickie Most | A's, B's, and Rarities | 1974 | issued in 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Basing Street Leslie" | Alan Merrill, Paul Varley, Tetsu Yamauchi | 2:06 | Bill Wyman | Tawny Tracks | 1977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Boogiest Band In Town" | Bill Martin, Phil Coulter | 3:22 | Phil Coulter | First Hit (LP) | 1976 | B-side to "Once Upon A Time" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Bring Back The Fire" | Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker, Terry Taylor | unknown | A's B's & Rarities | 1976 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Broken Down Heart" | Roger Ferris | Mickie Most | 1975 | B-side of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Cheating Woman" | Alan Merrill, A.B. David | 3:12 | unknown | Tawny Tracks | 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Come On, Come On, Baby" | Alan Merrill | 3:29 | unknown | Tawny Tracks | 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Dare You Not To Dance" | Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker, Terry Taylor | 3:08 | Bill Wyman | Tawny Tracks | 1977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Diesel Locomotive Dancer" | Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker | 2:42 | Mickie Most | First Hit (CD) | 1974 | B-side of "Toughen Up" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Don't Worry 'Bout Love" | Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker | 3:00 | Phil Coulter | First Hit (LP) | 1976 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Dreamin'" | Johnny Burnette | 2:33 | Mickie Most | A's, B's, and Rarities | Issued in 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker, Terry Taylor |unknown |A's B's & Rarities |1976–77 |Released in 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alan Merrill |2:55 |Phil Coulter |First Hit (LP) |1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker, Paul Varley |3:20 |Phil Coulter |First Hit (LP) |1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker |4:22 |Phil Coulter |First Hit (LP) |1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alan Merrill, A.B. David |4:35 |unknown |Tawny Tracks |2002 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker, Terry Taylor |
-|Bill Wyman |Tawny Tracks |1977 |Unreleased | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bill Martin, Phil Coulter |3:30 |Phil Coulter |First Hit (LP) |1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roger Ferris |3:18 |Mickie Most | | A-side to "My World Is Turning On Love" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alan Merrill |2:42 |unknown |Tawny Tracks |2002 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alan Merrill, Jake HookerCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content |2:47 |Mickie Most |Tawny Tracks |
|
A-side to "Broken Down Heart" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alan Merrill |3:08 |unknown |Tawny Tracks | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bill Martin, Phil Coulter |3:22 |Phil Coulter |
First Hit (LP) | '76' | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Craig McLearie, John Laurenson |
3:09 | Phil Coulter |
First Hit (LP) |
1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Love Is Easy" |
Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker |
3:25 | Phil Coulter |
First Hit (LP) |
1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Love Rider" |
Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker, Terry Taylor |
- | unknown |
A's B's & Rarities |
1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Motor Running" |
Alan Merrill |
3:05 | unknown |
Tawny Tracks |
2002 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Movin' Next Door To You" |
Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker |
2:57 | Mickie Most |
- | 1975 | B-side to "My Last Night with You" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Movin' Next Door To You" (New Version) |
Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker |
- | Mickie Most |
A's B's & Rarities |
2004 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "My Last Night with You" |
Roger Ferris |
2:31 | Mickie Most |
- | 1975 | A-side to "Movin' Next Door To You" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "My World Is Turning On Love" |
Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker |
4:23 | Mickie Most |
First Hit (CD) |
1975 | B-side to "Hard Hearted" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Once Upon A Time" |
Bill Martin, Phil Coulter |
4:28 | Phil Coulter |
First Hit (LP) |
1976 | A-side to "Boogiest Band In Town" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Rock N' Roll Hotel" |
Alan Merrill |
3:30 | unknown |
Tawny Tracks |
2002 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Silver Stallion" |
Alan Merrill |
3:07 | unknown |
Walk Away Renee |
1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Somebody to Love" |
Alan Merrill |
4:04 | unknown |
Tawny Tracks |
1977 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Thanks" |
Bill Martin, Phil Coulter |
4:14 | Phil Coulter |
First Hit (LP) |
1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The Stranger" |
Alan Merrill |
2:55 | unknown |
Walk Away Renee |
1976 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Touch Too Much" |
Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman |
3:00 | Mickie Most |
- | 1974 | A-side to "We Can Make It Together" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Toughen Up" |
Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman |
2:51 | Mickie Most |
First Hit (CD) |
1974 | A-side to "Diesel Locomotive Dancer" |
- |
-"Wake Up" |
Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker |
- |
Mickie Most |
A's, B's and Rarities |
74 |
Released in 2004 |
- -"Walk Away Renee" |
Michael Brown, Bob Calilli, Tony Sansone |
2:43 |
Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman |
- 74 |
- |
-"We Can Make It Together" |
Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker |
2:57 |
Mickie Most |
First Hit ( CD) |
74 |
B-side of Touch Too Much |
- -"What's Come Between Us" |
Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker |
3:33 |
Phil Coulter |
First Hit ( LP) |
76 |
- |
-"Who Done It?" |
Alan Merrill |
3:07 |
unknown |
Tawny Tracks |
02 |
- |
Interpretations by Other Artists
| Track | Composer(s) | Initial Performer | Record | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boogiest Band in Town | Bill Martin, Phil Coulter | Slik | Slik (CD edition) | 1975 |
| Dreamin' | Johnny Burnette | Johnny Burnette | Dreamin' | 1960 |
| Thanks | Bill Martin, Phil Coulter | J. Vincent Edwards | Thanks | 1969 |
| Walk Away Renee | Michael Brown, Bob Calilli, Tony Sansone | The Left Banke | Walk Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina | 1966 |
Songs by Arrow Interpreted by Others
| Track | Composer(s) | Original Performer | Record | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Love Rock 'n' Roll | Alan Merrill, Jake Hooker | Joan Jett & the Blackhearts | I Love Rock 'n Roll | 1981 |
| Love Child | Craig McLearie, John Laurenson | Craig McLearie | Warp Factor | 1979 |
| Touch Too Much | Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman | Roman Holliday Hello |
Fire Me Up Glam Rockers |
1984 1996 |
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