The Paramounts
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Defunct | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Southend-on-Sea , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, EPs, albums |
The Paramounts were a British beat group originating from Southend-on-Sea, Essex. They achieved a single UK chart entry with their rendition of "Poison Ivy", which peaked at No. 35 in 1964. However, they are primarily noted for laying the groundwork for Procol Harum.
Career
The formation of the Paramounts is subject to differing accounts; some suggest they began as "The Raiders" in 1959 while attending secondary school, whereas others claim they were put together by organizers of a band contest held at Southend's Palace Hotel, selecting top performers. The Raiders' lineup featured Robin Trower and Chris Copping on guitars, Mick Trower as vocalist, and Gary Nicholls on drums. By September 1960, the Paramounts consisted of Gary Brooker (piano and vocals), Mick Brownlee (drums), Chris Copping (bass), Bob Scott (vocals), and Robin Trower (guitar). After Scott’s departure, Brooker took over lead vocals at just 14 years old, which limited their gigs primarily to venues such as Trower’s father’s café.
The group underwent personnel changes when Copping exited in December 1962 and Brownlee left in September 1963; their roles were filled by Diz Derrick on bass and B. J. Wilson on drums. Their musical direction shifted from rhythm and blues toward soul, enabling them to secure regular performances in London and a contract with Parlophone by 1963. Drummer Phil Wainman briefly substituted for Wilson between late 1964 and early 1965 before Wilson moved on to join Jimmy Powell and the Five Dimensions.
Their first single was a cover of Leiber and Stoller’s "Poison Ivy", produced by Ron Richards, which reached No. 35 on the UK charts and led to television appearances including on Ready Steady Go!. Later releases such as "Bad Blood" and "I'm the One who Loves You" did not chart; however, the B-side "It Won't Be Long" was notable as the initial released composition by Brooker and Trower. Despite experimenting with different musical styles, no additional hits followed. The Paramounts also provided backing support during European tours for artists like Sandie Shaw and Chris Andrews before disbanding in 1966.
Following the split, Brooker concentrated on songwriting collaborations with Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher, culminating in the recording of "A Whiter Shade of Pale". To facilitate live performances, Brooker reformed the band featuring Trower, Wilson, and new bassist David Knights. By 1969, both Knights and Fisher had left while Chris Copping returned.
Liquorice John Death
Dave Mundy, a friend of the band members, disliked the name "Paramounts" and suggested "Liquorice John Death" instead. After Mundy’s suicide in 1972, he left his belongings to Trower, including a painting depicting an album cover for an imagined 'Liquorice John Death' record titled Ain't Nothin' to Get Excited About.
In early 1969, with Fisher and Knights departing Procol Harum and Copping rejoining, the lineup resembled the final Paramounts formation except for Diz Derrick’s absence. In January 1970, this group recorded thirty-eight tracks at Abbey Road Studios, mostly R&B covers originally performed under the Paramounts name. Producer Chris Thomas mixed thirteen of these tracks; however, the recordings remained unreleased.
A compilation album featuring all singles by the Paramounts entitled Whiter Shades of R&B was issued in 1983. Later in 1998, original Paramounts recordings along with six of the 1970 Abbey Road sessions were remastered and released on CD under Mundy’s suggested band name and album title, accompanied by his artwork. This CD saw a reissue in 2005 by Friday Music without Mundy’s cover art included.
Band members
- Robin Trower – guitar
- Gary Brooker – piano, vocals
- Chris Copping – bass
- Mick Brownlee (born 1943) – drums
- Bob Scott – vocals
- Diz Derrick (born Grahame Derrick in 1944) – bass
- B. J. Wilson – drums
- Phil Wainman – drums
Discography
- "Poison Ivy"/"I Feel Good All Over" (1963) Parlophone (UK chart position: No. 35)
- "Little Bitty Pretty One"/"A Certain Girl" (1964) Parlophone
- "I'm The One Who Loves You"/"It Won't Be Long" (1964) Parlophone
- "Bad Blood"/"Do I" (1964) Parlophone
- "Blue Ribbons"/"Cuttin' It" (1965) Parlophone
- "You Never Had It So Good"/"Don't Ya Like My Love" (1965) Parlophone
- EP
- The Paramounts (1964) Parlophone (catalog number GEP 8908)
- Compilations
- Whiter Shades of R&B (1983) Edsel (ED 112); reissued on CD in 1991 by Edsel (ED CD 112)
- The Paramounts at Abbey Road 1963–1970 CD released in 1998 by EMI (7243 496436 2 8)
- As Liquorice John Death
External links
- Paramounts memorabilia showcased in Southend-on-Sea, UK Thames Delta exhibition, 2012.