City Boy (band)
| City Boy | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Birmingham, England, United Kingdom |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1974–1982 |
| Labels | |
| Past members | Lol Mason Steve Broughton Max Thomas Chris Dunn Roger Kent Mike Slamer Roy Ward |
City Boy were a moderately successful English rock band in the late 1970s, characterised by complex vocal arrangements and heavy guitars. The band consisted of Lol Mason (lead vocals), Steve Broughton (guitar, lead vocals), Max Thomas (keyboards, guitar), Chris Dunn (bass, guitar), Roger Kent (drums), Mike Slamer (guitar, bass), and Roy Ward (drums, vocals). Their most popular songs were "5.7.0.5." and "The Day the Earth Caught Fire".
In the early 1970s, Lol Mason, Steve Broughton, Max Thomas and Chris Dunn were playing original acoustic music in the Birmingham area. They toured the clubs of the Midlands and turned professional towards the end of 1975. They were offered a recording contract by Phonogram Records on the condition that they change their name from "Back In the Band" and add drums and electric guitar. This prompted them to recruit drummer Roger Kent (who was later replaced by Roy Ward) and guitarist Mike Slamer.
City Boy's first five albums were produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who was recommended to them by Polygram A&R guy Chris Peers, and are among the first albums he produced after relocating to the UK from South Africa. Lange became the seventh member of the band, helping Chris Dunn hone his bass guitar skills and assisting with City Boy's vocal harmonies. Their breakthrough came in 1978 with their hit song "5.7.0.5." (Mutt Lange's first hit single outside of his homeland of South Africa). City Boy's first single "Shake My Head and Leave" in 1975 had received some airplay, notably in South Africa. Their subsequent album was named Book Early. The "5.7.0.5." single reached the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, achieving also a silver award for 200,000 copies sold, although the album failed to scratch the UK Albums Chart. The single also made the top 30 in the U.S., peaking at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a sizeable Top 40 hit in Australia. City Boy toured the United States in 1978, supporting Hall & Oates for a total of 66 concerts.
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