G R A H A M  P A R K E R  A N D  T H E  R U M O U R

If you had been reading the Classified Ads section of a well-known British music journal early in 1975 it is possible that you may have seen the words "Singer/song-writer needs tasteful musicians for Stones/Dylan style band". If you'd answered the ad you'd have discovered the one and only GRAHAM PARKER, late of Deepcut, Camberley, Surrey, petrol pump attendant for money, songwriter for good. And although the advertisement did not really turn up the results Graham had hoped for it very definitely started the GRAHAM PARKER success story. The ad turned up Noel Brown, who in turn knew Paul Riley of the recently demised Chilli Willi's who in turn knew Dave Robinson, former manager of the also recently demised Brinsley Schwarz and partner in the Hope and Anchor recording studio.

Meanwhile, back in Palmers Green, former Schwarzers Brinsley and Bob Andrews were busy forming THE RUMOUR with ex-Ducks Deluxe lead guitarist Martin Belmont and the rhythm section from Bontemps Roulez, Andrew Bodnar and Stephen Goulding. Whilst THE RUMOUR rehearsed, oblivious of the Parker songs, Graham made demos for Dave Robinson which soon got picked up by Charlie Gillett, played on the radio and the next thing Dave knew was that A & R manager Nigel Grainge of Phonogram was knocking on his office door wanting to sign Graham Parker. At this point Dave unveiled his ace in the pack - THE RUMOUR - to Graham and, as Bob Andrews had temporarily lost his voice, Graham fitted into the band very neatly thank you - GRAHAM PARKER and THE RUMOUR was in business.

GRAHAM PARKER and THE RUMOUR hit the British gig circuit in September 1975 playing first pubs, then clubs and then three major tours - with Ace, Kokomo and Thin Lizzy before releasing their first album, titled "HOWLIN' WIND". International reaction to GP and The Rumour was instantly favourable and through 1976 tour followed tour in the USA, UK and Europe interspersed with the recording at ROCKFIELD in Wales of "HEAT TREATMENT", the second album and the one that was to 'break' GP and The Rumour in the USA, winning them the coveted Rolling Stone "Critics New Band" of 1976 (Graham wryly observed that Peter Frampton won the Richest Person Award!). Then, following the witty "Official Live Bootleg" campaign and The Pink Parker campaign GP and The Rumour achieved their first UK single with the punchy "Hold Back The Night", coming hard on the heels of a Sold Out British tour with support band Southside Johnny.

An amazing parallel success was achieved by The Rumour without Graham during the summer months prior to their appearance "together again" at the Reading Festival with the release of The Rumour's "solo" album, "Max", and the single, "Do Nothing'Til You Hear From Me". The band did no live dates to back up the album as they were back in the studios with Graham and their new brass section working on the third GP and The Rumour album "Stick To Me". This album showed their increasing ability to make one sit up and listen. Their magnetism had become so obvious that even a deaf, dumb and blind person would feel it.

For all those people who never saw Graham Parker and The Rumour live, 1978 will be the year remembered for the release of "The Parkerilla", with its unforgettable sleeve photograph. It was the band's first live album and it's packed with all the supercharged excitement expected from one of the world's best rock bands.

Recorded in New York, Bournemouth and London, the fat sound of The Rumour and Parker's raw vocals have lost nothing in the transfer from stage to disc. The LP features such stomping Graham Parker and The Rumour standards as "Heat Treatment", "Watch The Moon Come Down", "Soul Shoes" and "Hey Lord Don't Ask Me Questions".

"The Parkerilla" was followed by another superb album "Squeezing Out Sparks" which began the Graham Parker and The Rumour breakthrough in the United States. The album went top 30, and the amazing single "Protection" went top 30.

And now . . . "HIGH TIMES", the very best of the last four albums, including Graham Parker and The Rumour's most popular concert tracks.

The album was compiled in Australia, and being the only country to do so, we have already been inundated with requests from other countries for the release of this superlative album.

GRAHAM PARKER and THE RUMOUR will continue to blast your mind . . . but are you live enough to handle them?

ooOoo

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JANE ROBINSON AT POLYGRAM RECORDS ON (02) 357 3277.

October, 1979

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