Smith (band)
Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Smith was an American rock band formed in 1969 in Los Angeles, California.[1] They had a blues-based sound and scored a Top 5 hit in the United States in 1969 with the Burt Bacharach song "Baby It's You", featuring Gayle McCormick on lead vocals.[2] The record sold over one million copies between July and October 1969, out-charted popular versions by the Beatles and the Shirelles, and was awarded a gold record by the Recording Industry Association of America.[2]
Beginnings
The group evolved from a band featuring two of the same membersScript error: No such module "Unsubst". called "The Smiths" (not to be confused with the 1980s band with a similar name). They attempted to chart their song "Now I Taste the Tears", produced and arranged by Ron Budnik, but the track had a melancholy sound and was not commercially successful.
Subsequently, Gayle McCormick (who had started her career singing songs by Tina Turner, Etta James and others) was added as a front woman and lead vocalist. The group was discovered in a Los Angeles nightclub by 1960s rocker Del Shannon,[2] who arranged "Baby It's You" for the group, now called Smith, leading to their being signed to ABC-Dunhill Records.
Career
Smith released an album titled A Group Called Smith, which spent 11 weeks in the Top 40 album listings of the since-called Billboard 200 record chart. On the album, vocals were split amongst Rich Cliburn, Jerry Carter and McCormick. Smith recorded a second album titled Minus-Plus with less success since it only reached #74. Smith's version of "The Weight" was included on the epochal Easy Rider soundtrack because, due to contractual reasons, The Band's version, which appeared in the movie, was unavailable.[1] Most of their material consisted of covers of popular rock and R&B tunes.
The band's singles "Take a Look Around" and "What Am I Gonna Do" reached the charts, but the group broke up after two albums.[1] The band's hit "Baby It's You" was featured in Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse film, Death Proof.[3]
McCormick solo career
After Smith disbanded, McCormick went on to record three solo albums, Gayle McCormick in 1971, Flesh & Blood in 1972 and One More Hour in 1974. The single "It's A Cryin' Shame" from her eponymous first album was a minor hit for her, reaching #44 on the charts in 1971. In Canada it reached #41.[4] It and "Gonna Be Alright Now" were included on the 1994 reissue of A Group Called Smith.
Discography
Albums
- A Group Called Smith (1969)
- Minus-Plus (1970)
Singles
- Now I Taste the Tears (1968) US Cashbox # 110
- Baby It's You (1969) US Billboard # 5; CAN RPM # 4[6]
- Take a Look Around (1970) US Billboard # 43; CAN RPM # 22[7]
- What am I Gonna Do (1970) US Billboard # 73
- Comin Back To Me (Ooh Baby) (1970) US Billboard # 101
Personnel
Smith was composed of one woman and four men:[2]
- Gayle McCormick – lead vocals
- Larry Moss – organ
- Jerry Carter – bass
- Robert Evans – drums
- John Horrigan - drums
- Rich Cliburn – lead guitar
- Alan Parker - guitar
References
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External links
- AllMusic biography
- Template:PAGENAMEBASE discography at Discogs