Build me up buttercup - The Foundations (Live)

The Foundations...Alan Warner (Guitar+ backing vocals), Colin Young (Lead vocals), Pat Burke (sax), Tony Gomesz (Keyboards+Backing vocals),Pete Macbeth (Bass+Vocals)Tim Harris (Drums),Eric Allendale (Trombone).
www.alan-warner.com

The Foundations were formed in the late 60's, and within a short space of time their debut single 'Baby now that I've found you', went straight to No.1 in the British charts. The group went on touring all over the world, then scored their biggest hit with 'Build me up Buttercup' which went straight to No.1 all over the world including America. Other hits include 'Bad bad old days' and 'Back on my feet again.' Originally a Ska/Reggae/ band called 'The Ramongs' fronted by two lead singers, they lived in a basement club & former gambling den called 'The Butterfly Club', sometimes not surfacing for several days. When someone suggested a name change for the band, their Guitarist Alan Warner came up with the name 'The Foundations' to go with the Tamla Motown/soul style of music that they were getting more into. When one of the singers left the band to occupy a room for six months at Her Majesty's pleasure, Joan, a friend of the band, suggested a replacement singer called 'Arthur Brown', (later to find worldwide fame as The god of hellfire with 'The crazy world of Arthur Brown'). He joined the band for about six weeks gigging in and around London. When Arthur left to do his own thing, they landed a couple of tours backing 'The Toys', ('Lover's concerto'). Then American Soul Legend 'Edwin Starr', ('S.O.S,' 'OO soul', 'and 'War what is it good for'). They carried on running the club, until they were eventually forced out by a protection racket gang. They moved into a squalid disused Mini-cab office next door, where they were discovered by Ron Fairway who introduced them to businessman Barry Class. Seeing the potential of making big bucks from a band which was totally different to all the other bands at that time, (they were all from different races ,unusual for that time),and were playing soul music, Class put the band on a retainer whilst Ron Fairway set about trying to secure gigs. All came to nothing until one day he introduced them to A & R man Tony Macauley. He set up a recording session where they laid down some soul/R & B covers. He then said he would like them to try out a song that he and co writer, John McCloud had written, called 'Baby now that I've found you'. 'Baby now that I,ve found you' was recorded on an 8 track machine at Pye Studios in the summer of 1967, and after a slow start, it started climbing the charts, where it reached No.1 in the UK, and 18 in America. Another couple of records followed. 'Back on my feet again' and 'Any old time you're lonely and sad', both became top twenty hits. Their lead singer Clem Curtis then left the band to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Colin Young. They cut the next record 'Build me up Buttercup' which was written by Mike D'abo, (frontman for the hugely popular group, 'Manfred Mann'), & Tony Macauley. Mike Da'bo also played piano on the recording which went to number one all over the world, (except the UK where it reached number two). The next single 'Bad Bad old days' was also a huge hit. This was followed by some minor chart entries and then the band, exhausted after four years of relentless, non stop touring around the world, finally split up around 1971.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The Foundations
• Build me up buttercup
• Baby now that i've found you
• You can't fool me
• New Direction
• There's something about Mary
• Shallow Hal
• Take girl like you
• Oliver Reed
• Hayley Mills
• Cameron Diaz
• Ben Stiller

[Terrapin7171]

Now THAT'S what I call music!

[savedbyhimalone]

What's Black Got to do with anything you are such a FOOL not to mention Ignorant All walks of life are gifted to sing by the Great Almighty God.So don't show us your Stupidity,Big Dummy The color does not have voice,The Spirit within does Now go own with your poor self and get educated Boy.

[Lingyaokitty]

I'm playing this song in my Jazz Band! >w<

I love this song!~ It's stuck in meh head! XDDD

[Knicksman76]

Who the blue hell disliked this song? 

[Grimdeathtrip]

@savedbyhimalone a magical being magically created everything with his magical powers my bad... magically of course that is

[kbomb64]

One person has no idea what good music is.

[TheLolo5678]

I love this song...its an unheathy obsession i have this on my ipod

[ellboy99]

No dislikes, that keep it that way

[AnnahhYhuu]

back then when music existed!

[race2run]

I loved this song and had the 45. I must have listened to it a million times. I was 13 when it came out! Good memories!!

[robharding1957]

@Terrapin7171 yes l would have to agree with you,this is the real stuff, the sort of music that can fit into any decade and be just as fresh,,

[200Raikou]

Omg, this was the first song I ever tapdanced to! (I was 4 lol)