Tinkerbells Fairydust
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Headquarters | East London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music recordings (singles and album) |
| Parent | Decca Records |
Tinkerbells Fairydust was a British pop ensemble originating from east London, active during the late 1960s. They issued three singles and one album through the Decca label.
Personnel
Under the management of Don Arden, the group consisted of:
- Stuart Attride (guitar, keyboards, vocals)
- Gerry Wade (bass, vocals)
- Steve Maher (guitar, vocals)
- Barry Creasy (drums, vocals)
- Chas Wade (drums, vocals)
- Eileen Woodman (Hammond organ, vocals)
- Dave Church (vocals)
- Pete Hole (guitar, vocals)
History
Previously known as the Rush, the band released two singles on Decca: "Happy" / "Once Again" and "Enjoy It" / "Make Mine Music". Early members had connections with Tommy Bishop's Ricochets and Easy Come Easy Go.
In 1968, they worked with Jeff Lynne to record a demo of his composition "Follow Me Follow". Although Lynne’s group The Idle Race featured the track on their debut album, Tinkerbells Fairydust issued their rendition as the B-side to their last single, "Sheila's Back In Town".
Singles
Following their name change to Tinkerbells Fairydust, they launched "Lazy Day", produced by Vic Smith, who later gained recognition for his work with The Jam and Black Sabbath. While it did not chart in the UK, it climbed to number two in Japan, surpassed only by The Beatles' "Hey Jude".
Their sophomore single, "Twenty Ten", incorporated Bach-inspired harmonies alongside psychedelic features such as wah-wah organ and mellotron flutes. Despite receiving airplay from BBC DJ John Peel, it failed to achieve commercial success.
The third single, "Sheila's Back In Town" (January 1969), reached the Top 10 in Japan.
Other recording sessions
The band also served as backing musicians for Gene Latter’s "Mother's Little Helper" single at Lansdowne Studios in Holland Park. Furthermore, they contributed session backing vocals for the "Tommy Bishop Rock and Roll Revival Show" recordings at Decca’s West Hampstead studios.
The album
A self-titled Tinkerbells Fairydust album was assembled, including four tracks from their singles along with several cover songs. Planned for release in December 1969 on Decca (Catalogue Number SKL/LK 5028), it was withdrawn prior to distribution. Only a handful of test pressings and approximately 4–5 finished copies are known to exist.
Due to its extreme scarcity, the album has become highly sought-after; a worn copy sold for £1,200 on eBay in 2007, with later sales exceeding £2,000. It is regarded as one of the most valuable pop/psychedelic records ever issued.
In 1998, a CD and LP re-release appeared featuring alternative artwork. Acme Records reissued the vinyl with original cover art in 2009, while Cherry Red’s Grapefruit imprint released an expanded CD version containing bonus tracks and endorsed by the band.
Album
- Tinkerbells Fairydust (1969), Decca (unreleased except for a few pre-release copies)
(reissued on Carnaby Boutique X-0443276CD, 1998)
Singles
- "Lazy Day" / "In My Magic Garden" (1967), Decca
- "2010" / "Walking My Baby" (1968), Decca
- "Sheila's Back in Town" / "Follow Me Follow" (1969), Decca
Compilation appearances
- "Twenty Ten" appears on Rubble Vol. 6, The Clouds Have Groovy Faces (LP), and Rubble Vol. 4 (CD)
- "Marjorine" and "You Keep Me Hanging On" feature on Syde Trips, Vol. 4 (LP)
- "In My Magic Garden" is included in British Psychedelic Trip, Vol. 3 (LP) and Great British Psychedelic Trip, Vol. 2: 1965-1970 (CD)
- "Lazy Day" can be found on British Psychedelic Trip, Vol. 4 (LP) as well as Great British Psychedelic Trip, Vol. 2 (CD)
- "Twenty Ten" is also part of the compilation Beatniks & Hipsters '71 (LP)