Darts (band)
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Darts is a British ensemble consisting of nine members, known for reviving the doo-wop genre, and found commercial success during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Operating out of London, the group achieved multiple UK top 20 singles, notably securing three back-to-back number two positions with renditions of classic American rock and roll, R&B tracks, as well as original compositions.
Formation
The band was established in 1976 by Den Hegarty, Griff Fender (real name Ian Collier), Rita Ray (Lydia Sowa), and Horatio Hornblower (Nigel Trubridge), all previously part of Rocky Sharpe and the Razors. They were later joined by Iain "Thump" Thomson, George Currie, John Dummer from John Dummer's Blues Band, alongside William "Hammy" Howell and former Mickey Jupp vocalist Bob Fish.
Initial phase
Their popularity grew steadily through performances at clubs and university venues, culminating in a breakthrough following their appearance on Charlie Gillett's BBC Radio London program in October 1976. This exposure secured them a deal with Magnet Records and an opportunity to work with producer Tommy Boyce, recognized for his association with The Monkees.
The group's debut UK chart entry came in November 1977 with a medley combining "Daddy Cool" and "The Girl Can't Help It". They followed this with covers such as "Come Back My Love" and "The Boy from New York City", alongside Griff Fender's original "It's Raining". Each of these singles climbed to number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
Following the release of "It's Raining" in September 1978, Hegarty departed to care for his terminally ill father, with American vocalist Kenny Andrews stepping in as his replacement. Subsequent successful singles included "Don't Let It Fade Away" penned by Currie, "Get It" authored by Trubridge, and a rendition of Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl", produced by Roy Wood of Wizzard. The latter marked their final UK top 10 hit, succeeded by a moderate chart entry in 1980 with The Four Seasons' "Let's Hang On!".
Personnel adjustments
In 1980, members Currie, Fish, and Dummer exited the ensemble. James "Jimmy" Compton joined on keyboards and continues to be part of the group. Guitarist Duncan Kerr and drummer Keith Gotheridge, both formerly with Plummet Airlines, also became members. Briefly, ex-Mud guitarist Rob Davis was involved before transitioning into a career focused on songwriting and production. Additionally, Mike Deacon, previously associated with the Suzi Quatro band, contributed keyboard skills during this period.
Subsequent developments
By 1980, their presence on the charts diminished, prompting a shift towards theatrical engagements by 1983 when they took on roles as musical directors for the show Yakety Yak.
In 1979, Hegarty moved into television presenting, hosting Newcastle's Alright Now and later appearing on the children's program Tiswas. Meanwhile, in 1985 Fender and Ray undertook management and production duties for UK a cappella group The Mint Juleps, who enjoyed modest chart success in 1986 and 1987 with cover songs.
According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles, the band remains listed among the Top 500 best-selling artists. They reunited in 2006 for occasional live performances and currently maintain a schedule of several annual gigs. Founding member Bob Fish passed away on 21 August 2021 at age 72.
Band line-up
| Members of the initial formation |
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