User:Milanodrum

The pop Band Union Express was formed in 1970. It was a combination of two groups "The Highlights" and "The Starlights". Both were Cabaret Bands doing the club circuit. The "Highlights" were the twin girls Gloria and Jean Harrison with John Booth on guitar and Paul Zubine on Drums. The "Starlights" were Dave Gibson, Steve Fearnley, and Paul Curtis;a vocal trio with Paul on guitar. Paul Curtis and Jean Harrison were an item and when the "Starlights disbanded paul joined our band and changed the name to "Union Express". Paul Curtis was a prolific song writer and was writing songs with a record producer; Tony Hiller and also with Johnny Goodison. The band got a record deal with a company called "Stud records" which was a subsidiary co. of Decca records. Johnny Goodison already had fame with the original "Brotherhood of Man" and the song "United we stand which he had co-wrote. The first single released in 1971 was "Get my wheels a rollin' then came the second single: "Ring a ring a roses" the same year. Although the band played on the track other musician were added; Herbie Flowers on tuba and chris spedding on guitar. It was never the first choice of Union Express to release "Ring a ring a roses" as the A side but the powers that be felt that there could be a market for the song in Europe; and they were right. It became a number one in Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Holland and several other countries. An album came next and several follow up singles; they all flopped. Paul Curtis decided he wanted to concentrate on his song writing and stopped touring. He was replaced by several lead singers and the band began to tire and it was time for a different direction. Comedy bands like the Grumbleweeds and the Barron knights were very popular in the club circuit so "Union Express" became a comedy band called "Pinnochio" with several new band members from Wales. The original drummer left to join "Wee Willie Harris" backing group then the "New Walker Brothers". Eventually the band, tired from the club circuit, disbanded. Paul Curtis went on to write songs for the Eurovision song contest and had hits with "Let it be the one" for the Shadows and "a message to your heart" with Samantha Janus in 1991.