Barry Collings proudly presents:
THE REAL THING
UK TOUR 2017
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
15th June 2017
THE REAL THING
UK TOUR 2017
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
15th June 2017
Multi-million selling soul band The Real Thing are back on the road in 2017. Featuring the group’s three original vocalists Eddie Amoo, Chris Amoo and Dave Smith along with their 5-piece band, the trio are set to deliver a funky retro show performing all of the band’s classic songs mixed with contemporary grooves.
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of their debut hit single ‘You to Me Are Everything’, the Liverpool based trio boast three million selling hit singles including, ‘Can’t Get by Without You’ (the latter two tracks being in the BBC millennium Top 100), ‘Whenever You Want My Love’ and ‘Can You Feel the Force’, making them the UK’s best-selling black group of the late 70s. They were also one of the top ten best selling bands of 1986.
Formed by lead singer Chris Amoo and David Smith in 1972, they added Ray Lake (who has since sadly passed away), Kenny Davis and Eddie Ankrah with Kenny and Eddie leaving two years later. Continuing as a trio, in 1975 they added Eddy Amoo, brother of Chris, who had been helping in the band’s development. A singer-songwriter with a group called The Chants.
Spotted by ex-Radio Luxembourg DJ Tony Hall, The Real Thing were snapped up by Pye Records and the 1976 release ‘You to Me Are Everything’ sailed to the top of the UK singles chart. The band went on to have a further nine hits over a three-year period including ‘Can’t Get by Without You’, and ‘Can You Feel the Force’, both of which were top five success stories.
The band’s iconic album ‘4 from 8’ was released in 1977 and contained the ‘L8 medley’ which included the classic track ‘Children of the Ghetto’. The song has since been covered by artists including Mary J Blige, Courtney Pine and Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire) and has been sampled by numerous hip hop artists as well as being featured in the Spike Lee movie, ‘Clockers’.
In 1986 ‘You to Me Are Everything’, ‘Can’t Get by Without You’ and ‘Can You Feel the Force’ were all remixed and became huge hits once again, thanks to their huge club following.
In 2005, ‘Love's Such a Wonderful Thing’ was sampled by French dance outfit Daft Punk and re-titled ‘So Much Love to Give’. The same year the Freeloaders had a UK Top 10 single with ‘So Much Love to Give’ which featured The Real Thing resulting in the band charting across 3 decades.
The Real Thing recently released ‘The Real Thing Live’ DVD and CD recorded at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool and celebrates over 40 years on the road and includes the concert in full, new material and a cover of The Beatles song ‘Eleanor Rigby’.
Commenting on The Real Thing’s success, singer Chris Amoo said, “There’s always going to be a sense of nostalgia about our music. It’s the sound track to so many people’s lives and that will never die.”
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of their debut hit single ‘You to Me Are Everything’, the Liverpool based trio boast three million selling hit singles including, ‘Can’t Get by Without You’ (the latter two tracks being in the BBC millennium Top 100), ‘Whenever You Want My Love’ and ‘Can You Feel the Force’, making them the UK’s best-selling black group of the late 70s. They were also one of the top ten best selling bands of 1986.
Formed by lead singer Chris Amoo and David Smith in 1972, they added Ray Lake (who has since sadly passed away), Kenny Davis and Eddie Ankrah with Kenny and Eddie leaving two years later. Continuing as a trio, in 1975 they added Eddy Amoo, brother of Chris, who had been helping in the band’s development. A singer-songwriter with a group called The Chants.
Spotted by ex-Radio Luxembourg DJ Tony Hall, The Real Thing were snapped up by Pye Records and the 1976 release ‘You to Me Are Everything’ sailed to the top of the UK singles chart. The band went on to have a further nine hits over a three-year period including ‘Can’t Get by Without You’, and ‘Can You Feel the Force’, both of which were top five success stories.
The band’s iconic album ‘4 from 8’ was released in 1977 and contained the ‘L8 medley’ which included the classic track ‘Children of the Ghetto’. The song has since been covered by artists including Mary J Blige, Courtney Pine and Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire) and has been sampled by numerous hip hop artists as well as being featured in the Spike Lee movie, ‘Clockers’.
In 1986 ‘You to Me Are Everything’, ‘Can’t Get by Without You’ and ‘Can You Feel the Force’ were all remixed and became huge hits once again, thanks to their huge club following.
In 2005, ‘Love's Such a Wonderful Thing’ was sampled by French dance outfit Daft Punk and re-titled ‘So Much Love to Give’. The same year the Freeloaders had a UK Top 10 single with ‘So Much Love to Give’ which featured The Real Thing resulting in the band charting across 3 decades.
The Real Thing recently released ‘The Real Thing Live’ DVD and CD recorded at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool and celebrates over 40 years on the road and includes the concert in full, new material and a cover of The Beatles song ‘Eleanor Rigby’.
Commenting on The Real Thing’s success, singer Chris Amoo said, “There’s always going to be a sense of nostalgia about our music. It’s the sound track to so many people’s lives and that will never die.”
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
JUNE
Friday 9 BARKING – BROADWAY THEATRE 02085075607
Thursday 15 SOUTHEND – PALACE THEATRE 01702 351135
Friday 16 SOUTHSEA – KINGS THEATRE 02392828282
Friday 23 BELFAST – SSC CONCERT ROOM 028 9073 9074 www.ssearenabelfast.com
Friday 30 ANDOVER – LIGHTS 01264368368
JULY
Saturday 8 TRING – CHILL FEST (5PM) 01442660279
Thursday 13 LONDON – JAZZ CAFÉ 02074856834
Friday 14 BRENTWOOD – FESTIVAL brentwoodfestival.co.uk/box-office
Saturday 15 CAMBRIDGE - SHELFORD FESTIVAL
Saturday 22 PERTHSHIRE - SCOTLAND - REWIND -SCONE PLACE 08448889991 www.rewindfestival.com/tickets
Sunday 23 FALKIRK – FTH 01324 506850
Saturday 29 CONCORDE - EASTLEIGH 02380613989
AUGUST
Saturday 12 ISLE OF WIGHT – SMALLBROOK STADIUM www.jackupthe80s.co.uk
Friday 25 BRISTOL – SWX 07968845166
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 2 CLACTON – PRINCES THEATRE 01255686633
Friday 8 CAMBERLEY –THEATRE 01276707600
Friday 22 MILTON KEYNES – STABLES 01908280800
Saturday 30 GRAVESEND – WOODVILLE 01474337459
NOVEMBER
Friday 17 BILSTON – ROBIN 2 01902401211
Saturday 18 HARPENDEN – PUBLIC HALL 01582767525
Saturday 25 CRAWLEY – HAWTH 01293553636
DECEMBER
Saturday 2 STURMINSTER – EXCHANGE 01258475137
Friday 29 BRIGHTON – CONCORDE 01273673311
http://www.thelegendaryrealthing.com/