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LP
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MR 365LP
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John Dominic and Gary Thomas formed the R&B group The Roadrunners in 1963. They developed a line-up that also included Dick Connor on bass (replaced by Dave Cameron), Bob O'Brien on keyboards, and Nigel "Hutch" Hutchinson on drums. They soon changed their name, taking the name of London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners, and giving it a Bo Diddley twist -- hence: the Bo Street Runners. In 1964, the group recorded a four-song EP issued on the Oak label. The band entered in Ready Steady Win, a beat group competition organized by the producers of the Ready Steady Go! TV show. The group won the competition and received an array of prizes, including musical instruments, booking agency and publishing contracts, and a Decca record deal. Decca released the group's debut single. Soon, Bob O'Brien and Hutch Hutchinson dropped out, and Roy "Fingers" Fry and Glyn Helson Thomas stepped in. They also added sax player Dave Quincy. The group moved to Columbia for their next 45. Produced by Mickie Most, the disc paired two James Brown numbers. The single flopped and Quincy, Fry, and Thomas exited in rapid succession. Tim Hinkley became the band's new organist, and shortly afterwards they located a new drummer, a teenage beanpole by the name of Mick Fleetwood, who had been playing with The Cheynes. "Baby Never Say Goodbye", their first single under this line-up was released in June 1965. It got a lot of pirate radio airplay but was doomed by a pressing plant strike. Fleetwood returned to The Cheynes, soon replaced by Alan Turner. Singer John Dominic also decided to quit, soon to be replaced by the talented Mike Patto. Patto also brought along a new drummer, Barry Wilson. This line-up recorded what would be the Bo Street Runners' final single in 1966. The Beatles' "Drive My Car" was a good fit for the group's sound, backed with the mellow "So Very Woman". In October of 1966, the group disbanded. Mike Patto's storied career included stints with Timebox, Spooky Tooth, and Boxer before dying in 1979. Tim Hinkley played with prog rockers Jody Grind, and of course their one-time drummer Mick Fleetwood became a superstar. Exile On Bo Street celebrates the band's early years and the 1964-66 heyday of British R&B heroes the Bo Street Runners.
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