The Groove (band)

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This article is about the 1960's rock band from Australia,The Groove. For the radio station of this name, see The Groove.

Formed in mid 1967, The Groove are considered to be Australia's first "supergroup" in that all members had considerable experience behind them in a number of successful bands. They were formed in Melbourne Australia and gathered together by well known manager and agent Garry Spry, who teamed up with respected keyboard player Tweed Harris from the Levi Smith Clefs to put the band together. With Tweed Harris himself on keyboards, they recruited Peter Williams from Max Merritt & The Meteors lead vocals and guitar, Rod Stone from The Libretos lead guitar, Geoff Bridgford from Steve and the Board drums and Jamie Byrne from Running Jumping Standing Still on bass.

They specialised in doing songs in the Stax Soul /60's R'n'B style of artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Arthur Conley and the Isley Brothers, their particular style suited Peter Williams vocals.

Their most successful single record was a cover of Sam Cooke's "Soothe Me". In 1968 they won the Grand Final of Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds. Then followed a trip to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), which was part of their Hoadley's prize, they left in March 1969 where they worked and recorded for two years before breaking up in 1971. They released one more single as The Groove before changing their name to Eureka Stockade and released a single and recorded an album for Decca which was not released. On breaking up Tweed Harris and Rod Stone did tours in the UK and Europe backing Cliff Richard, while Geoff Bridgford joined the Bee Gees and Peter Williams teamed up with The Cookies also managed by Garry Spry to become The Spirit of Progress and toured the UK. Later on he joined The Mixtures and toured Europe, the UK and Australia with them.

[edit] Discography and Chart Positions

Singles 45rpm)

Simon Says/With This Ring - 1967 (#6 Sydney, #4 Melbourne, #16 Brisbane)
Soothe Me/I See A New Day - 1968 (#8 Sydney, #8 Melbourne, #3 Brisbane)
What Is Soul/Goin' Back - 1968 (#13 Melbourne, #30 Brisbane)
You Are The One I Love/Merry Go Round -1968 (#20 Melbourne, #30 Brisbane}
Relax Me/Dance To The Music - 1969
The Wind/Play The Song - 1969

As Eureka Sockade

Sing No Love Songs/Jump Down Turn Around - 1970

Extended Play (45rpm)

Soothe Me/Simon Says/What is Soul/Goin' Back

Compilation LP

Things Go Better With Coca-Cola - promotional release. various artists compilation of ads for Coca Cola performed by various pop groups including The Groove and The Twilights

Albums (33 rpm)