Sue Glover & Sunny Leslie

[SandraDee]

I was listening to 'Sounds Of The Sixties' on BBC radio 2 the other day (I know, I should get out more!:icon_mrgreen:) & they played a groovy British pop/kinda northern soul-style track by a group called The Stocking Tops who Brian Matthews said comprised the 2 session singers above who many people here know went on to sing on almost every 70s classic euro-disco track of note. The Stocking Tops single which is I think fairly obscure was produced by Kenny Lynch who also went on to make a funky dance track or two in the early 80s but got nowhere commercially (I think one track he did was called something like 'Half The Day's Gone & We Haven't Earned a Penny'; James Hamilton in Record Mirror liked it anyway, I digress).
What amazed me though was how this track didn't sound completely unlike the disco stuff that they went on to do - could this be an early example of disco from the mid-60s & do you think it got played at any of those 60s proto discos in NYC like 'Arthur', 'Cheetah' or 'Salvation'?

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

could this be an early example of disco from the mid-60s & do you think it got played at any of those 60s proto discos in NYC like 'Arthur', 'Cheetah' or 'Salvation'?

Europeans culled more from Pop, in their evolution of 70's Disco, than the States did. I've always noticed that quite a few of my Euro-releases had elements of their arrangements, that were like throw-backs to 60's pop. (ie: Belle Epoque, Barrabbas, early Jolly & Swain stuff...) The U.S? Not so much. They pulled, mostly from classical, latin and R&B, in the early years. More fixated on creating something totaly outside of the current Pop trends.

Unfortunately, I doubt the Euro Pop tracks would've been played in the US discoteques of the 60's. Since there was so much of a music explosion happening on both coasts of the States, as well as Detroit/Motown and Memphis, at the same time. Outside of British-Invasion tracks that were licensed by US labels, there wasn't much interest (or need, at that time) for programming foreign tracks.

And, although they were rare back then (certainly by today's standards), discoteques in the States were used a promotional tool by the labels. And DJs weren't utilized in the same capacity, nor were they independent in "style", back then, as they'd become by the mid-70's.

Considering the strength of Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie's vocals, I'd imagine it was what theybrought to a recording, of any genre, that would make them similar. I know that was very much the case with Kay Garner. She was the voice of Cerrone. You knew it was a Cerrone record by her voice. Even before you read the label.

If you do a couple comprehensive searches, you'll find that all "the birds of paris" have long and diverse histories. But I've rambled-on, yet again! :icon_redface: I just love My Girls so much. They were the European equivalent to our "Sweethearts Of Sigma". They sang on, almost, every major Disco record of the day. And there was no mistaking them.

[SandraDee]

Unfortunately, I doubt the Euro Pop tracks would've been played in the US discoteques of the 60's.

That's a pity I feel. One of the many things I alwys liked about the 70s was the cross-fertilisation that went on with America playing euro-disco & african stuff & Europe loving the black US stuff & all the races & sexualities mixing & gaining social/political strength. It's so great that those pioneering 70s DJs experimented & changed everything for the better isn't it?

[DISCODISK]

thats sunny leslie of doctors orders fame

[Salsoul1975]

Sue and Sunny also sang on the Brotherhood Of Man's 1970 singles "United We Stand" and "Where Are You Going To My Love".

[SandraDee]

thats sunny leslie of doctors orders fame

That's the one.

[Zordana]

Were they also the duo that made an album with 'Don't you know i love you' on it, it was one of my favourites but i never got to find out who these two actually were. I'm trying to replace a lot of my albums but can't find any trace of this one. Not sure what it was called but i do know it was a 'Sue and Sunny' one.
White background both of them in a field i think. If anyone remembers it do tell. I'd love to get it on a CD as i'm selling my collection of vynl. :*)