Paramounts

The Paramounts, based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, were formed in 1960 by Gary Brooker (keyboards) and Robin Trower (guitar) and included Chris Copping and B. J. Wilson. They scored a moderate British success in 1964 with their version of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller's "Poison Ivy", which reached number 35 in the UK Singles Chart. (They had signed to Parlophone, making them label mates with the Beatles, and shared the bill on the TV show Thank Your Lucky Stars with the Rolling Stones.) They occasionally backed Chris Andrews and Sandie Shaw. Unable to generate any follow-up success, the group disbanded in 1966.
== Links to Peel ==
To date, only two plays of the band by JP, both of their version of "Poison Ivy", have come to light: In 1974, he followed it with a track by Procol Harum (see below) and in 1976, he followed this with a new solo track by Trower of which he was less than complimentary, it is likely he was attempting to demonstrate what the artist had been capable of hitherto.
The band later metamorphosed into Procol Harum, stalwarts of the Top Gear years.
The song 'Poison Ivy', originally a US and UK hit for the Coasters, was a minor UK hit single for the Paramounts. It was also recorded by the Rolling Stones for their first EP, which topped the British EP charts in 1964.. It was covered by Mod revivalists the Lambrettas and released as a single in 1980. Peel had featured their debut single although there is no documented play of their version of 'Poison Ivy'.
== Festive Fifty Entries ==
*None
== Sessions ==
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== Other Shows Played ==
*15 January 1974: Poison Ivy
*10 August 1978: 'Poison Ivy (7" EP)' (EMI reissue)
== External Links ==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
Category:Artists