It was guitarist Phil Manning, formerly of the band Chain, that was LRB's first choice for lead guitar duties. Manning was busy cultivating a solo career, so he recommended Ric Formosa to Glenn Wheatley. Formosa had recently travelled to Australia from Canada and was working in a music store. He was asked to audition and received a phone call soon after with an invitation to join the band. In May 1975 they signed with EMI Records and started recording their debut self-titled album (November 1975) at Armstrong Studios in June. The album was co-produced by Birtles, Goble, Shorrock and Wheatley. Tony Catterall of The Canberra Times described it as "one of those flawed creations that inevitably draws a more-in-sorrow-than-in-anger response." 'Little River Band' peaked at #15 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. Their debut single, "Curiosity (Killed the Cat)", had appeared in September, reaching #15 on the related Kent Music Report Singles Chart. Two more singles followed, "Emma" (#20 January 1976) and "It's a Long Way There" (#35 November 1976).
Wheatley had travelled to Los Angeles in December 1975 and touted the group to various record companies until Rupert Perry of Capitol Records signed them on Christmas Eve. Little River Band issued their second album, 'After Hours', in May 1976 on EMI. It was produced by the band but was not issued in the US until 1980 and then first as a CD in 1997 on One Way Records, with three bonus tracks. 'After Hours' peaked at #5 and provided the single "Everyday of My Life", in May, which reached the top 30.
During August 1976, both Formosa and McLachlan were replaced: David Briggs joined on guitar (ex-Cycle, The Avengers, Ram Band) and George McArdle on bass guitar (ex-Ram Band). Formosa was not enthusiastic about touring outside of Australia, left the group to pursue other musical interests, working as a session musician and as a composer and arranger. And at the same time, the group decided to also replace bassist Roger McLachlan, who also became a sessions player and subsequently joined the Australian country rock group Stars. Formosa remained in touch with LRB: he conducted and wrote string parts for several tracks on subsequent albums.
Encouraged by their Australian success, the band undertook their first international tour. They flew to the UK on 17 September 1976 to play a show in London's Hyde Park supporting Queen. They then opened shows in the rest of Europe for the Hollies during September and October. Birtles advised fellow Australian bands that "It's so much easier when you have a product to sell... And the money you make on the club circuit in Australia while establishing yourself is better than anything you can make in Britain, where there is so much competition." In October 1976 they performed their first US concert, at James Madison University (then called Madison College) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, as the opening act for Average White Band. Due to their US appearances and support from FM stations, "It's a Long Way There" reached #28 on the Billboard Hot 100. This galvanised the commitment of the band members to tackle the US record market.
Little River Band's second album, 'After Hours', was passed over in the US by Capitol. The label selected tracks from it and from their third Australian one, 'Diamantina Cocktail' (April 1977), to create Capitol's second US album, also titled 'Diamantina Cocktail' (June 1977). The Australian version was co-produced by the group with John Boylan – who stayed on to co-produce their next two studio albums. During the recording there were "frictions and competition between the band members" such that Birtles, Goble and Shorrock each "recorded separately in the studio... as much as possible."
The Canberra Times' Julie Meldrum caught their performance in May 1977, which "moved along at a rapid pace and slowed down only once with a few laid-back tracks towards the middle of the set" and they were "tightly disciplined musicians. All the instruments were played clearly and it was obvious that collectively or individually there was nothing that was not world class." Meldrum also reviewed the album, which had "no references to Australia and it is obvious that the band is trying to ensconce itself in the Los Angeles scene... its most dominating influences are David Crosby and Graham Nash, and Little Feat." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic felt the US release was "laidback, sweet country-rock, the album has a similar sound to the band's debut, but the melodies are a little sharper and catchier, making the album a better, more fully-rounded collection."
In Australia 'Diamantina Cocktail' became their highest charting album, peaking at #2; the US version reached the top 50 on the Billboard 200. In January 1978 it was certified gold by RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies; and they were the first Australian band to do so. The lead single, "Help Is on Its Way" reached #1 in Australia. Both it and the fourth single, "Happy Anniversary", peaked in the top 20 on the US Hot 100. During 1977 the group toured consistently, mostly in the US, headlining in smaller venues, and appearing in stadiums on larger multi-billed shows supporting The Doobie Brothers, Supertramp and America. In August 1977 they co-headlined day two of the Reading Music Festival alongside Thin Lizzy. In November Little River Band supported Fleetwood Mac and Santana at the Rockarena concerts in Sydney and Melbourne.
Their fourth studio album, 'Sleeper Catcher' (May 1978), peaked at #4 in Australia and #16 in the US. By May in the following year it was certified platinum by RIAA for sales of 1,000,000 copies and was the first Australian recorded album to achieve that feat. AllMusic's Mike DeGagne praised Shorrock's vocals, which give the album "the perfect MOR sound, draping the tracks with his cool, breezy style that is much more apparent and effectual here than on the band's earlier efforts." 'Sleeper Catcher' provided four singles with "Shut Down Turn Off" (April 1978) their highest charting in Australia at #16, however in the US the highest charting was "Reminiscing" (June 1978), which peaked at #3. The album's last single, "Lady" (December 1978), reached #10 in the US in early 1979.
After Pellicci was hospitalised in May 1978 due to severe burns from an exploding gas grill cylinder, Geoff Cox (ex-Bootleg Family Band, Avalanche) substituted on drums, rather than the group cancelling shows for their next US tour. On that tour they supported Boz Scaggs, Jimmy Buffett and the Eagles. Cox remained with the group through mid-1978 and played alongside Pellicci, after the latter joined the tour at a show supporting the Eagles at C.N.E. Stadium in Toronto on 6 August 1978, until he was healed enough to continue on his own. Mal Logan (ex-the Dingoes, Renée Geyer Band) joined on keyboards for another US tour which began in late December 1978. Logan stayed on as their touring keyboardist through the end of 1981.
By February 1978 "frictions inside the band continued to brew, relieved a little by a sideline album". 'Birtles & Goble' was a side project formed as a duo to showcase their tracks rejected for LRB releases. They issued three singles, "Lonely Lives" (March 1978), "I'm Coming Home" (March 1979) and "How I Feel Tonight" (June 1980) and an album, 'The Last Romance' (May 1980). "I'm Coming Home" reached #8 in Australia. Shorrock had a solo single with a cover version of Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover" (April 1979), which reached the Australian top 10.
'First Under the Wire' was issued as LRB's fifth studio album in July 1979, which reached #2 in Australia – equal highest position with 'Diamantina Cocktail'. It was also their highest charting album on the Billboard 200 – reaching #10. In November 1979 it was certified by RIAA as a platinum album. AllMusic's Mark Allan described how, with their "mix of harmony-drenched pop tunes and unthreatening rockers, they appealed to a wide audience." Both singles, "Lonesome Loser" (July 1979) and "Cool Change" (October 1979) peaked in the US top 10. Briggs wrote "Lonesome Loser" and Shorrock wrote "Cool Change".
McArdle left in late January 1979 to enrol in a Bible college and became a Christian minister. In July of that year Barry Sullivan (ex-Chain, Renée Geyer Band) took over on bass guitar. He was replaced, in turn, by Wayne Nelson (ex-Jim Messina Band), later LRB's lead singer, who joined in April 1980.
The group's two 1980 Australian live releases, 'Backstage Pass' and 'Live in America', were released in the US as a double set, also called 'Backstage Pass'.
The line-up of Birtles, Briggs, Goble, Nelson, Pellicci and Shorrock recorded Little River Band's sixth studio album, 'Time Exposure' (August 1981), in Montserrat with George Martin (the Beatles) producing. The Canberra Times' Garry Raffaele felt that the "essence of it all is that it's easy listening, no demands, easing up, slowing down, getting older." By the time it had appeared, Stephen Housden (ex-Stevie Wright Band, the Imports) replaced Briggs on lead guitar. It reached #9 in Australia and #21 in the US; and in November it was certified gold by RIAA.
In August Nelson provided lead vocals for 'Time Exposure's' lead single, "The Night Owls", which peaked at #18 in Australia and #6 in the US. Raffaele described the track as "the punchiest thing LRB has done for some time but it's still middle-of-the-road pap, hummable." Nelson also shared vocal duties with Shorrock on the second single, "Take It Easy on Me" (November 1981). According to Australian music journalist Ed Nimmervoll, Nelson's presence was "adding to the problems within the band"; Nimmervoll opined that Goble "agitated within the band to replace Glenn Shorrock with John Farnham."
In February 1982 Shorrock left Little River Band and resumed his solo career but did not achieve chart success in the US. Farnham replaced Shorrock on lead vocals and "Man on Your Mind", the third single from Time Exposure (with Shorrock's vocals), reached #14 in the US. In September 1982 Farnham told Susan Moore of The Australian Women's Weekly, "Fitting in with the guys hasn't been hard, they have made it so easy for me... But recording and on stage things are quite different from what I've been used to." On covering the previous LRB repertoire he said, "We've had to change the key with a lot of things because Glenn sang in a different register from me."
The first single with Farnham as lead vocalist, "The Other Guy" (one of two new offerings on their Greatest Hits album), was released in November 1982, which reached #18 in Australia and #11 in the US. The other track, "Down on the Border", peaked at #7 in Australia. The next single, "We Two", from their seventh studio album, 'The Net' (May 1983), reached #22 in the US. It had been co-produced by the group and Ernie Rose (Mississippi, Rénee Geyer, Stars). DeGagne reviewed the album, which "failed to capture the same success they experienced with Shorrock at the helm. The same type of soft rock fluidity and laid-back charm has been replaced with a sound that seems forced and somewhat strained." In 1983 "You're Driving Me Out of My Mind" became the group's last single to reach the US Top 40. The band moved towards a more 1980s style sound and added a keyboardist, David Hirschfelder (ex-Peter Cupples Band, Pyramid), who had earlier in the year guested on 'The Net' and at some of LRB's shows), in September 1983.
The pressures of success and constant touring took their toll on the band as line-up changes continued. Birtles left in October because he did not like the harder, more progressive musical path that Goble was taking the group and because he had preferred Shorrock's vocals. Birtles contributed to soundtracks for feature films, From Something Great (1985) and Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1988); he also worked as a session musician, eventually relocating to the US and releasing a solo album, 'Driven By Dreams', in 2000. Pellicci left in February 1984 for similar reasons and Steve Prestwich (ex-Cold Chisel) was his replacement on drums. Pellicci also became a session musician: including working for Brian Cadd.
Their eighth studio album, 'Playing to Win', was released in January 1985, which delivered a harder sound with producer Spencer Proffer. The change in sound, along with the unofficial shortening of their name to LRB, confused fans and radio programmers. Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane felt it was "a strong album but it failed to halt the band's slide in popularity." It reached #38 in Australia and #75 on the US charts. It is the group's last charting album on the Billboard 200. The title track made #59 on the Australian singles chart, #15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and #60 on Hot 100. The second single, "Blind Eyes", failed to enter the charts.
In July 1985 Little River Band performed for the Oz for Africa benefit concert (part of the global Live Aid program) including: "Don't Blame Me", "Full Circle", "Night Owls", and "Playing to Win". They were broadcast in Australia (on both Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US. American Broadcasting Company broadcast "Don't Blame Me" and "Night Owls" during their Live Aid telecast ("Night Owls" was only partially transmitted). Farnham left the group following the completion of their short Australian tour in April 1986, which had Malcolm Wakeford drumming in Prestwich's place. Their ninth studio album, 'No Reins', recorded when Farnham was still aboard, appeared in May 1986 and was produced by Richard Dodd. It reached the Kent Music Report top 100.
After Farnham's departure, Little River Band were essentially in limbo until 1987 when Pellicci and Shorrock returned at the request of Irving Azoff, the head of MCA Records, who wanted the band on his label. The line-up of Goble, Housden, Nelson, Pellicci and Shorrock established a holding company, We Two Pty. Ltd, with all members as directors in equal share. In July 1988 Pellicci described the albums after he had left LRB: "It was an overstatement to say the response to 'No Reins' and 'Playing to Win' was lukewarm — there was no response at all." The revamped Little River Band, augmented by keyboardist James Roche, performed at the opening of World Expo 88 in Brisbane on 30 April, where they were joined by the Eagles' Glenn Frey, who accompanied them that year on tour.
The group released their tenth studio album, 'Monsoon', on MCA in June 1988, which peaked at # 9 on the Kent Music Report and at #13 on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia. It was co-produced by Boylan and Goble. The Canberra Times' Lisa Wallace was disappointed, "I fear the album may not live up to expectations... I was one of the silly ones who expected something more, something new... Pleasant it is, technically precise and solid-gold Top 40 stuff, but nothing's changed. The band is no better, and no worse, than it was all those years ago." Its lead single, "Love Is a Bridge", co-written by Goble and Housden was released in May and peaked at #7 on the Kent Music Report and at #11 on the ARIA Singles Chart. It was their second highest charting single in the Australian market, and a moderate Adult Contemporary radio hit in the US.
The eleventh studio album, 'Get Lucky' (February 1990), made the top 60 in Australia – their last charting studio album in Australia. Mike Boehm of Los Angeles Times caught their gig in May, where "Lead singer Glenn Shorrock was stiff and seemed stuck for words between songs. But he knew what to do when the music started, singing in a comfortably husky voice that resembled Phil Collins in tone and easy pop appeal. Wayne Nelson, the group's Californian, generated more heat in his two lead vocal turns. The three-part harmonies behind Shorrock were exemplary, although the CS&N parallels were unmistakable. Lead guitarist Stephen Housden reinforced the emphasis on melody with his clean, lyrical lines."
MCA released a compilation album, 'Worldwide Love', of tracks from the previous two LPs on their Curb Records imprint in June 1991. Both 'Get Lucky' and 'Worldwide Love' peaked in the top 40 on the Swiss Hitparade; with the latter album also appearing on the Ö3 Austria Top 40. Goble had ceased touring with the group in 1989 and left altogether by 1992 as well as signing away his rights to the band's name. Peter Beckett (ex-Player) joined in 1989 to take Goble's place in the line-up. The group went through a series of keyboard players, including Tony Sciuto (1990–1992, 1993–1997) and Richart Bryant (1992–1993, ex-Doobie Brothers).
Shorrock left again in 1996; he was offered the option to buy out the remaining members of We Two Pty. Ltd He took a one-third share of the monetary value of the company as he did not want to commit to the band's US touring schedule. Shorrock was replaced on lead vocals by Melbourne singer Steve Wade (ex-Dolphin Street). Nelson also left in 1996 and Hal Tupea returned on bass guitar. This line-up lasted until late 1997, when everyone, except Wade, started to leave, including Pellicci, who left again early in 1998. The departure of all original members left Housden as the sole owner of We Two Pty. Ltd and the Little River Band trademark. Two former members have died, Barry Sullivan in October 2003 (aged 57) and Steve Prestwich in January 2011 (aged 56).
Beeb Birtles (guitar, vocals), Graham Davidge (guitar), Graeham Goble (guitar, vocals), Roger McLachlan (bass), Derek Pellicci (drums), Glenn Shorrock (vocals, keyboards), Rick Formosa (guitar), David Briggs (guitar), George McArdle (bass), Mal Logan (keyboards), Barry Sullivan (bass), Wayne Nelson (bass), Stephen Housden (guitar), John Farnham (vocals), David Hirschfelder (keyboards), Steve Prestwich (drums)
''Curiosity (Killed The Cat) (#15) / I Just Don't Get The Feeling Anymore'' 1975 EMI
''Emma (#20) / Love Is A Feeling'' 1975 EMI
''Everyday Of My Life (#29) / Days On The Road'' 1976 EMI
''It's A Long Way There (#35) / Time To Fly'' 1976 EMI
''Help Is On It's Way (#1) / Changed And Different'' 1977 EMI
''Witchery (#33) / L.A. In The Sunshine'' 1977 EMI
''Home On Monday (#73) / Raelene, Raelene'' 1977 EMI
''Shut Down Turn Off (#16) / Days On The Road'' 1978 EMI
''Reminiscing (#35) / Take Me Home'' 1978 EMI
''Lady (#46) / Happy Anniversary'' 1978 EMI
''Lonesome Loser (#19) / Another Runway'' 1979 Capitol
''It's Not A Wonder / The Rumour'' 1979 Capitol
''Red Shoes / Let's Dance'' 1980 Capitol
''Long Jumping Jeweller (#32) / I Don't Worry No More'' 1981 Capitol
''The Night Owls (#18) / Suicide Boulevard'' 1981 Capitol
''Man On Your Mind / Love Will Survive'' 1981 Capitol
''Take It Easy On Me / Orbit Zero'' 1982 Capitol
''Down On The Border (#7) / No More Tears'' 1982 Capitol
''St. Louis (#43) / Easy Money'' 1982 Capitol
''The Other Guy (#18) / Take It Easy On Me [Live]'' 1983 Capitol
''We Two (#49) / Falling'' 1983 Capitol
''You're Driving Me Out Of My Mind / Mr. Socialite'' 1983 Capitol
''Playing To Win (#59) / Through Her Eyes'' 1984 Capitol
''Blind Eyes / The Butterfly (Live At The Pier)'' 1985 Capitol
''No Reins On Me (#73) / Paper Paradise'' 1986 Capitol
''Face In The Crowd / Thin Ice'' 1986 Capitol
''When The War Is Over / How Many Nights?'' 1986 Capitol
''Love Is A Bridge (#6) / Inside Story'' 1988 MCA
''Son Of A Famous Man (#62) / Lyin' Eyes / Take It Easy'' [Featuring Glenn Frey] 1988 MCA
''Soul Searching (#52) / Great Unknown'' 1988 MCA
''When Will I Be Loved / "D" 1989 EMI
''If I Get Lucky (#90) / Piece Of My Heart'' 1990 MCA
''Every Time I Turn Around / The One That Got Away'' 1990 MCA
'Little River Band' (#17) 1975 EMI
'After Hours' (#5) 1976 EMI
'Diamantina Cocktail' (#2) 1977 EMI
'Sleeper Catcher' (#4) 1978 EMI
'First Under the Wire' (#2) 1979 Capitol
'Time Exposure' (#9) 1981 Capitol
'The Net' (#11) 1983 Capitol
'Playing to Win' (#38) 1985 Capitol
'No Reins' (#85) 1986 Capitol
'Monsoon' (#9) 1988 MCA
'Get Lucky' (#54) 1990 MCA
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_River_Band
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
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