The Marbles (duo)
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Graham Bonnet, Trevor Gordon |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Marbles were a British rock pair featuring Graham Bonnet and Trevor Gordon, active during 1968 and 1969. Among their well-known tracks were "Only One Woman" and "The Walls Fell Down". The group had a close connection with the Bee Gees, who composed six of their songs and contributed backing vocals.
In November 1968, "Only One Woman" climbed to number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The duo dissolved in 1969, with their sole self-titled album released after their breakup in 1970.
History
Cousins Bonnet and Gordon, both English-born, followed separate career routes before creating The Marbles. Gordon spent part of his early years in Australia, where he worked alongside the Bee Gees, recording several compositions by Barry Gibb. After returning to England in 1967, Gordon joined Bonnet’s band, the Graham Bonnet Set. The two signed with Australian impresario Robert Stigwood's label in 1968 and formed The Marbles. Drummer Steve Hardy, who had played with them previously, participated in their recordings.
The Gibb brothers—Barry, Robin, and Maurice—played a pivotal role in shaping The Marbles' sound by writing songs and providing backing vocals. Their debut single, "Only One Woman," released in August 1968, became their most successful UK hit. However, a remark made by Bonnet about the track caused tension with Barry Gibb. Their next single, "The Walls Fell Down," reached number 28 on the UK charts but achieved greater success in the Netherlands, peaking at number 3.
Their third release, "I Can't See Nobody," a Bee Gees cover arranged by Jimmy Horowitz, was issued exclusively across European markets outside the UK. By 1969, The Marbles had disbanded. Their last single, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," did not chart internationally. In August 1970, Cotillion Records issued their only album in the United States.
Following the breakup, Bonnet embarked on a solo career and later served as lead vocalist for Rainbow between 1979 and 1980. Gordon released a solo album titled Alphabet before transitioning into music education; he died in London in 2013.
Albums
- The Marbles
(1970, US: Cotillion CD 9029 / Germany: Polydor 184-365)
Side One:
"I Can't See Nobody" / "A House Is Not a Home" / "Storybook Children" / "Daytime" / "By the Light of a Burning Candle" / "Stay with Me Baby"
Side Two:
"Only One Woman" / "To Love Somebody" / "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" / "Elizabeth Johnson" / "Little Laughing Girl" / "The Walls Fell Down"
- The Marbles
(2003, Germany: CD re-issue Repertoire REPUK 1014)
Original tracks plus six additional mono single versions:
"Only One Woman" / "By the Light of a Burning Candle" / "The Walls Fell Down" / "Love You" / "I Can't See Nobody" / "Little Boy"
- Compilations
- Marble-ized
(1994, Australia: Polydor 523-866-2)
Tracks from the original 1970 album plus the bonus track: "Love You"
Singles
| Year | Single (A-side with B-side) | UK | NL | AUS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | "Only One Woman" backed with "By the Light of a Burning Candle" | 5 | 3 | 23 | Issued by Polydor: UK 56272, NL 59 225, AUS Int. NH-59225; US release on Cotillion 45-44003 |
| 1969 | "The Walls Fell Down" paired with "Love You" | 28 | 2 | 71 | Distributed by Polydor in UK (56310), NL (59 263), AUS Int. (NH-59263); US version on Cotillion 45-44029 |
| "I Can't See Nobody" accompanied by "Little Boy" | – | – | – | Available in NL (Polydor 59 311) and US (Cotillion 45-44036) markets only | |
| 1970 | "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" with various B-sides | – | – | – | Released across UK, NL, PT, and US through Polydor and Cotillion labels |