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Reggie King - vocals

Peter Watson/Martin Stone - lead guitar

Alan "Bam" King - rhythm guitar

Mike Evans - bass guitar

Roger Powell - drums

 

The Action hailed from Kentish Town in London. Formed in 1963, they were originally a quartet known as The Boys, and were a back-up band for singer Sandra Barry. Under this guise, they released tow 45's, one with Barry and one as The Boys - both unsuccessful - before changing their name in 1965. At that time Reggie King was the lead guitarist. Following the change of the groups' name came a change in personnel when Watson joined as lead guitarist, allowing King to concentrate on his vocal duties. (Watson would be replaced by Martin Stone in 1966).

In 1965, they were spotted and signed by the Beatles' producer, George Martin and the group built up a strong following among the mods in the clubs. In live performance they were good enough to be serious rivals to The Who and The Small Faces. But despite having this in their favour, the recordings they issued, although strong enough, mysteriously failed to reach the charts.

They were the most soul-oriented of the mod groups, favouring guitar-driven covers of Motown tunes and standard R&B dance numbers of the day such as "Land Of 1,000 Dances".

Under Martin's guidance, emphasis was placed on Reggie King's blue-eyed soul voice and the group's harmonies. Their later original material shows an increased sophistication in both songwriting and production. The Action's sound was something akin to a more soul-oriented version of the Small Faces.

In 1967 Reggie King left to pursue a solo career with keyboardist Ian Whitman replacing him. This led to another change of name, this time to Azoth, before they evolved into Mighty Baby and eventually disbanded altogether in the early 1970s.

 

Singles

Sandra Barry & The Boys

1964 Really Gonna Shake/When We Get Married

Decca F 11851

 

The Boys

1964 It Ain't Fair/I Want You

Pye 7N 15726

 

The Action

>Oct '65 Land Of 1,000 Dances/In My Lonely Room

Parlophone R 5354

Jan '66 I'll Keep Holding On/Hey-sah-lo-ney

Parlophone R 5410

Jul '66 Baby You've Got It/Since I Lost My Baby

Parlophone R 5474

Feb '67 Never Ever/Twenty Fourth Hour

Parlophone R 5572

Jun '67 Shadows And Reflections/Something Has Hit Me

Parlophone R 5610

 

Reissues

1990

The Ultimate Action - I'll Keep Holding On, Harlem Shuffle, Never Ever, Twenty Fourth Hour, Since I Lost My Baby, My Lonely Room, Hey-sah-lo-ney, Shadows And Reflections, Something Has Hit Me, The Place, The Cissy, Baby You Got It, I Love You (Yeah), Land Of 1,000 Dances

Edsel EDCD 101

1996

Brain: The Lost Recordings 1967/68 - In My Dreams, Come Around, I've Got Something To Say, Love Is All, Icarus, Strange Roads, Things You Cannot See, Brain, Look At The View, Climbing Up The Wall To See You, It Really Doesn't Matter, Stranger, Follow Me, Little Boy, In My Dreams (demo)

Autumn Stone Archives ASACD 01DIG 005

 

Mar 2001

Action Packed - Land Of 1000 Dances/In My Lonely Room/Harlem Shuffle/I Love You (Yeah)/I'll Keep Holding On/Hey Sah-Lo-Ney/Just Once In My Life/Wasn't It You/Baby You've Got It/Since I Lost My Baby/Never Ever/Twenty Fourth Hour/The Place/Come On, Come With Me/The Cissy/Something Has Hit Me/Shadows And Reflections

Edsel 699

  

July 2002

Rolled Gold - Come Around/Something To Say/Love Is All/Icarus/Strange Roads/Things You Cannot See/Brain/Look At The View/Climbing Up The Wall/Really Doesn't Matter/I'm A Stranger/Little Boy/Follow Me/In My Dreams/Untitled

Reaction Musik



Click here for The Action's official site