The Throb
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 in Sydney, Australia |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music recordings, singles |
The Throb was a Sydney-based band blending R&B and garage rock, active during the mid-1960s. They gained some recognition with their rendition of "Fortune Teller," a song originally performed by Benny Spellman and famously covered by The Rolling Stones. Their most distinguished release is the dark, feedback-laden interpretation of the folk tune "Black (Is the Colour of My True Love's Hair)," which came out in August 1966 and achieved modest success in the Sydney music scene.
History
Established in Sydney in 1965, The Throb's members were John Bell (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Denny Burgess (bass guitar, vocals), Peter Figures (drums), and Martin Van Wyk (lead guitar). Prior to this, Figures and Van Wyk had collaborated in The Resonettes, a surf instrumental ensemble. After securing a deal with Polydor Records in 1964, the group adopted the name The No Names and issued two beat singles: "She Is Mine" and a cover of The Coasters' track "Charlie Brown." By late 1965, they shifted their musical direction towards R&B and rock under the name The Throb.
Upon signing with Albert Productions, label owner Ted Albert suggested releasing "Fortune Teller" as their first single. This track was released in February 1966 through EMI/Parlophone and attained notable chart positions: No.4 in Sydney, No.2 in Melbourne, No.4 in Adelaide, and No.1 in Brisbane, culminating in an overall national ranking of No.4. The band also became a favored live act within discotheques.
Their follow-up single, "Black," a somber adaptation of an English folk song, entered the Sydney Top 40 but did not achieve national chart success. Subsequently, Van Wyk left to join The Soul Agents, while Burgess departed in October 1966 to establish Honeybunch. Bell and Figures then recruited Bob Daisley on bass and Paul Wylde on organ and piano. The Throb ultimately dissolved in January 1967 when Figures moved on to join The Square Circle.
After the group disbanded, Bell transitioned into the construction and plastering industries. Figures became a member of Jeff St John & Yama by 1969 and later participated in various other bands. In 1972, Burgess joined The Masters Apprentices, while Van Wyk became involved with the Marty Rhone Band and pursued songwriting.
Singles
- "Fortune Teller" (1966) AUS Peak: No. 4
- "Black" AUS Peak: No. 42
References
- General
- Specific