Fumble (band)

Fumble were an English rock and roll revival group, that formed in 1967 and disbanded in 1982. They had specialised in covering rock and roll classics.[1] Although they were never particularly successful, the band did achieve some recognition appearing at some festivals and on the television programme, Oh Boy!.

Fumble
OriginWeston-super-Mare, England
GenresRock, rock and roll
Years active1967–1982
LabelsSovereign Records, RCA
WebsiteBand website
MembersDesmond Russell 'Des' Henly
Mario Angelo Ferrari
Sean Mayes
Barry Dexter Pike

History

The group was formed in 1966 in Weston-super-Mare, England, by lead guitarist, lead vocalist Des Henly (born 15 July 1947, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset) and bassist, vocalist Mario Ferrari (born 26 January 1947, Weston-super-Mare) under the name of 'The Balloons,' with Sean Mayes on piano, vocals (born 17 March 1945, Stone Allerton, Somerset) and Barry Pike on drums, vocals (born 7 November 1948, Reading, Berkshire). Henly along with Ferrari had been The Iveys (1962 - 1966), along with Remo Ferrari on rhythm guitar and John Watson on drums, later replaced by Bob Davies.

In 1971 they changed their name to Fumble and, in September 1972, released their first album, Fumble, on the EMI-Sovereign record label.

In February and March 1973 they supported David Bowie on his US leg of the Ziggy Stardust Tour. According to the NME, Bowie had been attracted by the cover of their first album and offered them the support slot on the tour.[2] About Fumble, Bowie had been quoted saying that he "adored them" and that they were very unpretentious about revamping the whole area.[3] Five years later in 1978, their keyboardist Sean Mayes was recruited by Bowie to join his band for the Isolar II Tour.[4]

The Bowie tour increased their fame and Fumble played several festivals in 1973, including the Reading Festival,[5] the London Music Festival at Alexandra Palace, and the Roskilde Festival in Denmark,[6] after their single "Hello Mary Lou", had reached number 5 in the Danish charts in June 1973. [7] During the period from 1973 to 1976 they received some coverage in the UK music weekly papers,[8] NME, Sounds and Melody Maker.

The band had signed with RCA Records and released their second album, Poetry in Lotion, in 1974. The album sleeve was designed by Hipgnosis.[9]

From 1977 to 1979, Fumble performed together with Shakin' Stevens and P.J. Proby in the West-End musical Elvis at the Astoria Theatre in London.[10] This was followed by a remake of the 1959 TV series Oh Boy! in 1979, both directed by Jack Good.

Fumble disbanded in 1982. Mayes died of AIDS on 12 July 1995 in London, at the age of 50.[11]

Discography
  • Fumble (1972; EMI)
  • Poetry in Lotion (1974; RCA)
  • It's Only A Rock'n'Roll Game (1982; EMI Electrola Germany)

References
  1. "SecondHandSongs database artist: Fumble". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  2. "Bowie wants Fumble", New Musical Express, 1973-02-06.
  3. Cann, Kevin (1983). David Bowie: A Chronology. Vermilion. p. 104. ISBN 0-09-153831-9.
  4. Buckley, David (1999). Strange Fascination - David Bowie: The Definitive Story. p. 336. ISBN 1-85227-784-X.
  5. "Groups and artists that have played at the Reading Festival 1973". readingmuseum.org.uk. Archived from the original on 16 July 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  6. "Roskilde Festival 1973". songkick.com. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  7. Hammond, Ray. "Fumble's High School Hop", p.22. Sounds, 1973-07-14.
  8. "Band website: press articles". fumbleontheweb.com. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  9. "Hipgnosis album art". hipgnosiscovers.com. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  10. "Elvis 1977-1979 Astoria Theatre, London". forevershaky.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  11. Simmonds, Jeremy (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. p. 344. ISBN 1-55652-754-3.
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