Sheer Elegance

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Sheer Elegance
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresSoul
Years active1975 (1975)–1978 (1978)
LabelsPye
Past membersDennis Robinson
Bev Gordon
Herbie Watkins

Sheer Elegance was a British pop/soul trio, comprising Dennis Robinson, Bev Gordon (ex-Earthquake, aka Little Henry) and Herbie Watkins, who appeared on the British television talent show New Faces in 1975.

Background[edit]

The group had the distinction of writing their own material. During the course of their career, they appeared on New Faces, supported The Supremes when the group came to the UK and in aid of the Migraine Trust, they performed for Princess Margaret at the London Palladium.[1]

They recorded for the Pye label.[2]

Career[edit]

Their first single, "Going Downtown", was a flop, but their second single, "Milky Way", reached number 18 in the UK Singles Chart early in 1976.[3]

The group had a follow-up single released in 1976. It was "Life Is Too Short Girl". It was more successful than the previous, reaching number 9 and spending nine weeks in the chart.[4][5]

Their final national hit was "It's Temptation" which reached number 41 in 1976.[6]

The group released "Dance the Night Away" in 1977. It was written by Irving Martin, J. Vincent Edwards and Bev Gordon. Backed with "Don't Wanna Miss My Bus", it was released on Pye 7N 25734 in early 1977.[7][8] It did get airplay with spins on Piccadilly Radio. It was also one of the five top add-ons on Radio City for the week of January 8.[9] On the week of February 5, along with "Saturday Nite" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "Soul Cha Cha" by Van McCoy, "Baby I Know" by The Rubettes and a few others etc., Music Week recorded it as a Star Breaker.[10] Two weeks later Record Mirror also recorded it as a Star Breaker.[11] In spite of this, it failed to chart nationally.[12][13]

Their only album was titled Sheer Elegance.[14]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • Sheer Elegance (ABC Records, 1976)

Singles[edit]

Year Song UK
[15]
1975 "Going Downtown"
"Milky Way" 18
1976 "Life Is Too Short Girl" 9
"It's Temptation" 41
"I'll Find You Where You Are"
1977 "Dance the Night Away"
1978 "It's How You Use Me Girl"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References[edit]

  1. ^ New Faces TV - 12 Jul 1975 – Series Three (42)
  2. ^ Billboard, April 30., 1977 - Page 95 _International_, Pye Hits U.K. Mart With Big Batch Of 12 -inch 45s By TERRI ANDERSON
  3. ^ "The Official Charts Company - Sheer Elegance - Milky Way". Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  4. ^ MusicVF.com - Sheer Elegance Top Songs Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography
  5. ^ "The Official Charts Company - Sheer Elegance - Life Is Too Short Girl". Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  6. ^ MusicVF.com - Sheer Elegance Top Songs Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography
  7. ^ Hitparade.ch - Sheer Elegance – Dance The Night Away
  8. ^ Music Week, January 8, 1977 - Page 32 MUSIC WEEK LISTINGS, D
  9. ^ Music Week, January 8, 1977 - Page 22 NEEDLETIME
  10. ^ Music Week, February 5, 1977 - Page 53 STAR BREAKERS
  11. ^ Record Mirror, February 19, 1977 - Page 2 Star Breakers
  12. ^ Official Charts - SHEER ELEGANCE, SHEER ELEGANCE Songs, Official Singles Chart
  13. ^ MusicVF.com - Sheer Elegance Top Songs Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography
  14. ^ New Faces TV - 12 Jul 1975 – Series Three (42)
  15. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 495. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.