The Real Thing, Can't Get By Without You
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- Опубликовано: 23 май 2009
- The Real Thing, performing their 1976 soul hit "Can't Get By Without You" a song which is an international disco mainstay classic. This is from an appearance on The Arrows Show and the band are thanked at the end of the clip by Arrows lead singer Alan Merrill.
History-
A Liverpool based vocal group, The Real Thing had its origins in the Merseybeat boom of the 1960s. Lead singer Eddie Amoo was a former band member of The Chants, whose beat singles gathered considerable critical acclaim, although they failed to chart. After continuing to record for various record labels, the band name was eventually dropped. Re-labelled as The Real Thing, and with brother Chris Amoo, Ray Lake and Dave Smith on board, they got their big break following an appearance on the Opportunity Knocks ITV talent show. Original members of the group who appeared on Opportunity Knocks were, Chris Amoo, Kenny Davis (deceased), Dave Smith, Eddie Ankrah, and Ray Lake (deceased).
They were spotted by an ex-Radio Luxembourg DJ, Tony Hall, who played a significant part in their early career development. Even so, success was not immediate, and recording contracts they signed with a couple of major record labels came to nothing. Then, in 1975, they signed to Pye Records. Touring as backing singers with David Essex for a spell also helped to increase their profile.
With a song written and produced by Ken Gold and Mick Denne, The Real Thing finally emerged in 1976 when "You to Me Are Everything" sailed up to the number one slot in the UK Singles Chart. The track provided them with their only tangible success in the United States, reaching number 28 on the Black Singles chart, and number 64 on the Pop Singles equivalent.The same song would be re-released as 'The Decade Remix' in 1986 and achieved a UK chart position of number three, being remixed by Froggy, Simon Harris and KC.
This first success led to nine hits on Pye over a three year period, including "Can't Get By Without You", and "Can You Feel The Force", both of which were Top 5 successes.
Their brand of commercial sweet soul music, mixed with disco influences, established their popularity with the British audience. They were the UK's best selling black group of the late 1970s.Their first album, titled The Real Thing, contained their chart busters and previous singles.[5] The group wanted to call their second LP 'Liverpool 8', the name of the racially mixed section of Liverpool (Toxteth) where they grew up with Asians, Africans, Chinese, Irish, and anyone else who could not afford more opulent surroundings. Pye Records did not like the name, so they compromised with Four From Eight, which meant nothing to anyone outside of Britain. A switch to the Calibre record label in 1980 slowed the momentum. Subsequent material fared less well, although remixes of their first two hits charted some 10 years after their original release.
In 1999 Eddie Amoo appeared in the 'Identity Parade', in the fifth series of the BBC Television show, Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
The group, with three of the founder members still on board, continue to perform and record to this day.
Fun trivia-
The Real Thing's vocalist, Chris Amoo, is also a regular on the dog show circuit. His highlight came in 1987, when his Afghan Hound, Champion Viscount Grant, was crowned Supreme Champion at Crufts.[Dave Smith is a black belt in Karate.
The band:
Eddie Amoo - born 5 May 1950, Liverpool - vocalist and guitarist.
Chris Amoo - born 14 October 1952, Liverpool - vocalist.
Ray Lake - born 11 February 1946, Liverpool - falsetto backing vocalist - (now deceased)
Dave Smith - born David Smith, 6 July 1952 - vocalist. 
Видеоклипы
Lovely song. Liverpool band.
I like this group. I just discovered them. They remind me of Tavares ... such nice, rich harmony parts. Right on.
Pure genius.. I just love this!!!
Always loved this track! Still do! Brilliant!
I love this song!!! So many warm, sweet memories...thank you so much for sharing ♥♥♥
ICONICALLY SUPERB - I WAS THERE! WELL I MEAN THAT WAS MY LATE TEEN YEARS, 19 YEARS OLD AND MY FIRST EXPERIENCE OF UNREQUITED LOVE, HEARTBREAK ANGUISH AND THIS SONG FEATURED SO MUCH AS MY EXPRESSION OF HOW I FELT. 40 YEARS LATER AND NO GREATER LOVE
just got back from seeing them at the stables milton keynes still rocking the joint fantastic show every one dancing young and old
So excited these guys are performing for us at the Assembly, Leamington Spa on Thursday 3 September 2015 - they are just amazing!
Saw them last night. Absolutely brilliant. Sounding better now than before
memories...sweet !
awesome!
loved thes in 1976 in butlins I was so happy then
Lovely vocals, & lyrlcs, british soul at it's best.
Liverpool lads!
Wonderful to hear this again. Always loved it but I had not played it for a very long time. Top dog!
Can,t wait to see The Real Thing November 14th at Robin 2 Bilston, West Mids, we bought tickets and found for the money there`s another 70`s fave Odyssey on the same bill same night - Brilliant !
great 70’s school disco excellent where my time machine
Great song love, when i can say goodnight and still be by your side,
"Our Tune" Went to see them last night 18th June 2011 at the theatre Royal Lincoln, UK. They were sensational and can still rock a tune out.
Love it!
I love this group an there songs so amazing its fab to listen to all the oldies
First seen them 1975 supporting David essex at the Liverpool empire.MAGIC.
1976 was the real thing :)
Love it ...Bring it all back ...
seen these play Birmingham Night Out in early 80s and they were superb played for over a hour then when we were leaving they were getting into their minibus and stopped to talk to us, what a night.
i grew up with these guys i heared them practising singing there harmonies wer spot on from cristine
I've showed THIS video and another one with The Real Thing in The Arrows Show, to Alan the Lead-singer from The Arrows. (you see him here at the end of the video) on FB. And he LOVED it ! I asked him what on Earth were you all doing? Because in the other video they're (Arrows) are running in the back,hunting eachother... ,while Real Thing were performing. He answered me; "Oh we just had something to drink in the back & had lots of fun!" He also said he liked the times with the guys from The Real Thing very much, they are great guys.
Me,personally...nowadays, I do miss Ray. (Real Thing - second from left in this video)
Have a great Sunday you all.
And a huge THANKS to you Keith, you made a few people happy,man.
The outfits are brill......great sound....men were men then...
Thank you!!!
Good memoreys of being with my cousin going to see them next month xx
R.I.P Eddy
Take care my friend❤
Love them there fab RIPx
"No puedo existir sin ti" it was the titlle of this song in Spanish when I heard it in El Salvador in 1977 a long time ago
Going to see the real thing at the Stables to nite just getting in the mood
YES!
Amazing X
Classic..
R I P Eddie Amoo
Eddy Amoo RIP :(
@admanphoto Great band, dressed according to the fashions of the times. 1970s styling.
I THINK ITS THERE BEST SONG
Just looked for the other one I was talking about in The Arrows-Show if anyone is interested;
The Real Thing - You To Me Are Everything 1976 Arrows Show (uploaded by chickenindaloo).
Have Fun!
The singer used to get is closed made by his mum ,I used to live under there house as a child in LIVERPOOL ENGLAND.
RIP Eddie Amoo
arc went to see big wild Saturday had good nights
@checko5555 This is a great band, and a this is a mid 70s classic dance song. The lead singer is amazing, and although British, he sounds like an American soul man out of Philadelphia. - What was the singer wearing? He was probably inspired by an Ohio Players album cover. The outfits were all odd in the 1970s, across the board, all genres of music performers.
@admanphoto They were going for the Don Cornelius / Soul Train TV show look. It was popular in the USA. They sound like an American soul group.
jaman ketika ane dengerin amatir radio broadcast,manrose tebet,candi tebet,Pansender otista3.kmana temen2 dulu ya,mudah2an pada sehat.
Great song.
The lead singer's going to catch a cold though ... ;-)
You're more than a number
Lynda Coulson I know
Am I the only one who thinks that Mike Post borrowed from this when he wrote the theme for Hill Street Blues?
Omg, yes...that the first thing that came to my mind because this song was out way before Hill Street Blues. I guess he loved the opening.
Oh blimey, never made the connection before - but absolutely yes! If so, hope there was a financial agreement in place ...
boss liverpool band
this is real music , im 10 and love this:D
now the music is crap
It was the seventies! Disco-mania! LOL
If i had my way .....
they would steal anything in Liverpool 8 Toxteth in those days, he was lucky to get out with 1/2 his shirt. Great song, I hope whoever took he rest of his shirt s feeling guilty now.
Who the HELL was that 1 person who thumbed down?????? Grrrrrr!
YAMBYAM
(in my best DJ Alan Partridge voice)..."and that The Real Thing, a band named after a well know brand of Cola...."
@KeithTheKing . the outfit is a bit odd as it only covers half of his torsol. and listening 2 the music i thought he was american. thanks for the peice of info :)
No way ;)
bajunya kayak flinstone....tapi lagu nya mantep bro
Who would dislike this. if u dont like it, why search it...BTW what outfit is lead singer wearing 0_0
AH HA!!!!!!
@liverpoolpictorial I saw some pretty dodgy outfits on re-run retro Soul Train BET TV ads here in New York last night, which prompted my comment. Yeah, you're right. Don C was always sharp in his suits, but the guests...........enough said... lol!
Red light
OMG!!! What is that outfit lol.
It's the 70s lol
@KeithTheKing What! Don never dressed like that! Don was and still is a cool dresser.
@BuffRulz must be by mistake
ur not from our area,toxteth rocks lad,always has done.we dont steal,weve got more class than u will ever have,fact.
Ha ha
joke obviously!! ;)
@BuffRulz Every group in the music business leaves behind an angry woman or two. My money is on a jilted ex-girlfriend.