The Joystrings
The Joystrings (originally credited as The Joy Strings) were a 1960s UK Christian music group led by classically trained keyboard player and singer Joy Webb, an officer (now retired) in the Salvation Army.
The Joy Strings | |
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Origin | England, United Kingdom |
Genres | |
Years active | 1963–69 |
Website | joystrings |
Past members |
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History
After appearing on Cliff Michelmore's BBC Tonight television show, they were given a recording contract by EMI Records. In 1964 they became the first Salvation Army pop group to achieve chart success with "It's An Open Secret" and "On A Starry Night". The main members through the years were Joy Webb (who wrote the group's first hit), Peter and Sylvia Dalziel, Bill Davidson and Wycliffe Noble. The group had a number of other singers drawn, at intervals, from cadets at the William Booth Memorial Training College, Denmark Hill in London.
They also recorded a version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," using the music of The Animals' "The House of the Rising Sun" -- an unusual blending. [1]
In September 2013, 50 years after the Joystrings' formation, group member Sylvia Dalziel wrote about the group in a book published by Shield Books. The book included an introduction by General John Larsson, a tribute from Sir Cliff Richard, a full discography and many photographs never previously published.[2]
Discography
Singles
- "It's An Open Secret" (1964) - UK Number 32[4] (Regal Zonophone: RZ501)
- "Million Songs" (1964)
- "A Starry Night" (1964) - UK Number 34[4]
- "All Alone" (1965)
- "The Only One" (1965)
- "No Time To Lose"/"Love That's All Around" (Epic Records (USA): 5-10195)
- "Christmas Can Be Every Day For You" (1966)
EPs
- The Joy Strings (1964)
- The Song Break (1964)
- Joy Strings Abroad (1965)
- Have Faith in God (1965)
- Christmas with The Joy Strings (1965)
Albums
"Well Seasoned" (1966)Uk Regal Zonophone, LRZ4016 mono
- SLRZ4016 stereo.
- Well Seasoned (1966) EPIC Records, USA
- Carols Around The World (1967)
- Joystrings Restrung (2011)
- Joystrings Christmas Collection (2012)
Bibliography
- Gilliard, A.J. (1967). Joy and the Joystrings: The Salvation Army's 'Pop Group'. Lutterworth Press.
- Joy Webb (2000). Bridge of Songs. The Salvation Army. ISBN 085412683X
- Sylvia Dalziel (2013). The Joystrings. The Salvation Army. ISBN 0854129065
References
- YouTube, "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
- Dalziel, S. 2013 The Joystrings: The Story of the Salvation Army Pop Group, Shield Books, ISBN 978-0854129065
- Track Listing at joystrings.co.uk
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 291. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
- Rhythm Finds Its Groove: History of the Joystrings
- Joystrings tribute site
- Page at Cross Rhythms
- "The Joystrings" at 1960s Christian Music
- Pathé News report of the Joystrings performing "It's an Open Secret"