The Knack (UK band)
| The Knack | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ilford, United Kingdom |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1964-1968 |
| Labels | Decca, Piccadilly |
| Past members |
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The Knack were a British R&B-based freakbeat and psychedelic rock band from Ilford, near London in the United Kingdom who were active 1960s. They are not to be confused with either of the two American bands of the same name, one from the 1960s and the other who became a popular new wave act in the late 1970s. They were unable to achieve any hits in the UK or elsewhere, but in more recent years their work has come to the attention of music enthusiasts.
The band hailed from Ilford, a town north of London in 1964. Their membership included Paul Gurvitz, their leader, on bass and vocals, his brother Adrian Gurvitz (a.k.a. Adrian Gurvitz-Curtis) on guitar and vocals, Brian Morris on guitar, and Louis Farrel on drums. Paul Gurvitz worked by day as a hairdresser in a London salon. They made ventures to Germany and France to play for American servicemen. Upon returning to England, they invited to play as backing band for 1950s rocker Gene Vincent, who had set up a base of operations in the UK. Paul Gurvitz's father, Sam Guvitz, who had previously worked as road manager for the Shadows, was currently Vincent's road manager. After several months as Vincent's backing act, the group were hired for a long term engagement at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany. Performing under the name, the Londoners, they became a top attraction and were even invited to record cut a single for the Star Club's in-house record label. The single, which paired their version of Elvis Presley's "That's My Desire" a rendition of Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me," was issued strictly in Germany.
The band returned to England in 1965. Shortly after their return, Paul Gurvitz convinced the other members of the group to change their name to the Knack, a move inspired by the Richard Lester movie of the same name. The band would now cultivate a decisively mod image. They brought in Gearie Kenworthy to play bass and Topper Clay to replace Louis Farrel on drums. With the new line-up quickly the band became a formidable live act.
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