Unit 4 + 2
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1962 in Hertfordshire, England |
| Founder | Brian Parker |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Hertfordshire , England |
Area served | United Kingdom, United States, Australia |
Key people | Tommy Moeller (lead vocalist), Brian Parker (founder, songwriter), Russ Ballard (guitarist) |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
Number of employees | 6 (at peak) |
Unit 4 + 2 was a British pop ensemble originating from Hertfordshire, England, notable for securing a number one position on the UK Singles Chart in 1965 with their hit "Concrete and Clay", which held the top spot for one week.
Formation and Early Period
In 1962, Brian Parker, previously guitarist and songwriter for the Hunters, established a vocal harmony group alongside David 'Buster' Meikle, later adding vocalists Tommy Moeller and Peter Moules. The name Unit 4 was derived from "Unit 4," the closing segment of the BBC Radio program Pick of the Pops.
The group expanded into Unit 4 + 2 by incorporating guitarist Russ Ballard and drummer Bob Henrit, forming a six-member vocal harmony band. Tommy Moeller took on the role of lead vocalist and frontman throughout their career. Due to health issues, Parker ceased live performances but continued as co-songwriter with Moeller, while Howard 'Lem' Lubin stepped in to perform on stage. By 1967, Moules and Henrit were replaced by Rodney Garwood and Hugh Halliday, respectively.
Signed to Decca Records, their initial single "The Green Fields" reached number 48 on the UK charts in 1964, followed by the less impactful "Sorrow and Pain."
Parker co-authored "Sea of Faces" with Kim Fowley for Unit 4 + 2; although recorded by them, it remained unreleased. The track gained modest success when covered by The Ways and Means on Pye Records, receiving airplay on pirate radio stations such as Radio City and Radio Caroline in early 1967.
Breakthrough
The following year, Unit 4 + 2 achieved significant acclaim with "Concrete and Clay", propelled by heavy rotation on pirate radio outlets, particularly Wonderful Radio London. Initially dismissed by Tony Windsor, the station’s music director, the song gained support after DJ Kenny Everett advocated for it. Recorded with session musicians Russ Ballard and Bob Henrit, the single reached number one in the UK and found international recognition. In the United States, sales were divided between Unit 4 + 2's version and a rival cover by Eddie Rambeau; Rambeau's rendition peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100, while Unit 4 + 2's version climbed to No. 28. The Cashbox chart combined both versions, resulting in a peak position of No. 12.
Decca swiftly followed up with an album titled 1st Album. Their subsequent single, "(You've) Never Been in Love Like This Before", entered the UK top 20 and reached No. 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
By 1967, Russ Ballard became a full-time member after contributing guitar parts to "Concrete and Clay".
Later Developments
Between 1964 and 1967, Unit 4 + 2 released ten singles through Decca, including a four-track EP; many selections featured on 1st Album. This album was later reissued under the title #1 featuring Concrete and Clay, featuring revised artwork and an updated tracklist that incorporated hits like "(You've) Never Been in Love Like This Before" which had been missing from the original edition.
For their second and final album released in 1967 via Fontana Records, Hugh Halliday replaced Bob Henrit. With Ballard and Henrit as official members, their musical style evolved; however, their rendition of Bob Dylan's "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" failed to outsell that of the Byrds. Their last single "3.30" included electric piano and orchestral elements and was later included in compilation albums. Neither "3.30" nor their final album Unit 4 + 2 charted, culminating in the group's dissolution in 1970.
Until disbanding in 1970, they issued six additional singles on Fontana. One Fontana release in Spain compiled four tracks from earlier singles into an EP format. The band briefly reassembled for a UK club tour in 1970 featuring lead vocalist Tommy Moeller alongside a fresh backing lineup consisting of Glyn Havard (bass/vocals), Allan Price (drums/vocals), Iain Hines (keyboards/vocals), and Tony Duhig (guitar). This formation lasted approximately two months before splitting; Havard, Duhig, and Price subsequently joined avant-garde progressive rock group Jade Warrior.
Cover versions
In 1976, Randy Edelman’s rendition of "Concrete and Clay" brought the song back into the UK top 20 charts. This version was also featured on the soundtrack of the 1999 movie Rushmore.
Martin Plaza, who serves as co-lead vocalist for the Australian group Mental As Anything, issued his own take on the song as his first solo single in 1986 from the album Plaza Suite. His cover climbed to number 2 on the Australian music charts.
Band member details
Brian Parker (7 December 1939 – 17 February 2001) – vocals, guitar: Co-author of "Concrete and Clay". After his music career, he taught guitar locally and passed away during a tennis match.
Tommy Moeller (born 23 February 1945) – lead vocals, guitar, piano: Brother to Billy Moeller, known as the face of Whistling Jack Smith. He co-wrote "Concrete and Clay".
David Ian 'Buster' Meikle (born 1 March 1942) – vocals, guitar: Previously lead singer of Buster Meikle & the Day Breakers and a founding member of Unit 4 + 2. Departed in 1967 and later achieved international chart success as part of Bill & Buster.
Peter Charles Moules (born 14 October 1944) – bass: Replaced by Rodney Garwood on Unit 4 + 2’s second album.
Bob Henrit: Played drums as a session musician on "Concrete and Clay" before becoming a full-time member in 1967. He succeeded Mick Avory in The Kinks in 1984 and remained with them until 1996.
Howard 'Lem' Lubin (born 20 January 1944): Took over from Parker for live performances early in the band’s history; later joined Satisfaction and Christie before establishing himself as a record producer.
Hugh Maitland Halliday (born 29 December 1944) – drums: Joined in 1965 replacing Henrit; subsequently pursued careers as a dancer and opera director with prominent companies across Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Nigel Ian Norman Snook (1944–2007): Contributed banjo on their debut single "The Green Fields".
Russ Ballard: Came aboard in 1967 from Adam Faith’s backing group The Roulettes. Later became a member of Argent and gained recognition as a successful songwriter and performer.
Rodney John 'Humble' Garwood (born 27 March 1944) – bass guitar: Joined the band in 1967.
Albums
- 1st Album (1965), Decca (LK 4697) (subsequently reissued on London label under the title #1 featuring Concrete and Clay, with some track changes)
- Unit 4 + 2 (1969)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | AU | CAN | US | ||
| 1964 | "The Green Fields" | 48 | - | - | - |
| "Sorrow and Pain" | - | - | - | - | |
| 1965 | "Concrete and Clay" | 1 | 21 | 1 | 28 |
| "(You've) Never Been in Love Like This Before" | 14 | 38 | 6 | 95 | |
| "Hark" | - | - | - | 131 | |
| "You've Got to Be Cruel to Be Kind" | - | - | - | - | |
| 1966 | "Baby Never Say Goodbye" | 49 | - | - | - |
| 1967 | "I Was Only Playing Games" | - | - | - | - |
| "Too Fast, Too Slow" | - | - | - | - | |
| "Butterfly" | - | - | - | - | |
| 1968 | "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" | - | - | - | - |
| 1969 | "3:30" | - | - | - | - |
See also
- List of artists signed to Decca Records
- List of musicians who attained number one on the UK Singles Chart
- List of 1960s American one-hit wonders
- List of Top of the Pops performers
Bibliography
- 40 Years of NME Charts, authored by Roger Osborne, Dafydd Rees, and Barry Lazell, Boxtree Limited, First Edition. 1992 -