THE RAM JAM BIG BAND

Formed in Melbourne in 1966 by Russell Smith and Terry Villis as a sophisticated jazz-pop outfit. With the addition of a brass section, it gave the group a unique identity and big sound most other groups could only get on studio recordings, when studio musicians came in to help fill the sound. The band had a big following appearing on TV shows like Uptight. The band released four singles and an EP on the Spin label with ''Sunshine And I Feel Fine'' being the most successful making the Top 40. Many well-known musicians passed through its ranks as the band was plagued by many line-up changes. By 1969 they had become incredibly popular right throughout the rock music scene at a time when most groups were small combos with the traditional guitars, bass, drums and maybe a keyboard player.

Members

Ian McPherson (keyboards), John Ellis (sax), Ray Evans (drums), Joe Gorski (bass), Russell Smith (vocals/trumpet), Terry Villis (guitar), Peter Knapp (bass), Ian Clyne (keyboards), Gary Young (drums), Mike Edwards (sax, flute), Stan Harris (drums), Don Wright (sax/flute), Peter McCormack (drums), Chris McClure (trumpet/vocals/guitar), Laurie Byrne, Lance Dixon (keyboards)

SINGLES

''My Girl (#54) / I Didn't Know'' 1967 Spin
''Sunshine And I Feel Fine (#34) / Rainy Sunday'' 1968 Spin
''I Can't Let Go Of This Feelin' (#61) / Funny How Time Slips Away'' 1968 Spin

''Lost And Found / Jamming'' 1969 Spin

EPs
'The Ram Jam Big Band' 1968 Spin

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/