Несмотря на то, что австралийский бит-коллектив The Groop (1964-1969) считается довольно хорошо известным, мы о нём никогда не слышали. А ведь группа очень даже неплохая. Наиболее известный сингл мельбурнцев - "Woman You're Breaking Me", выпущенный в 1967 г. Приезд The Groop в Великобританию прошёл незамеченным и разочарованные музыканты вернулись домой. Вскоре после этого, в октябре 1968 г., лидер и фронтмен Max Ross покинул группу. Оставшиеся участники записали и выпустили ещё пару-тройку синглов, но самым успешным из них стал только "Such A Lovely Way", достигший в феврале 1969 г. тринадцатого места в национальном хит-параде.
Miracle
One of many "two-phase" groups that featured in the Aussie rock scene of the 60s, the first incarnation of The Groop emerged from Melbourne's thriving performing circuit in 1966, with a unique sound which hinged around a mixed repertoire of soul classics, big beat numbers and whimsical originals from all four members.
The Groop originated as The Wesley Three, a folk trio formed by schoolfriends from Melbourne's exclusive Wesley College, Peter McKeddie, Max Ross and Richard Wright. This group is listed (erroneously?) in the Who's Who of Australia Rock as the Oxford Trio. The Wesley Three signed with CBS Australia label in 1964 and released a single, an EP and an album
The Wesley Three evolved into The Groop in 1965 with the addition of English-born guitarist Peter Bruce, who was recruited through a 'musicians wanted' ad in a music shop window. The Groop's publicity touted Bruce as being an ex-member of The Dave Clark Five, but this was only half-true. In the May 2002 issue of the Dave Clark Five magazine, Peter finally came clean to writer Alan Harvey about his link with Dave Clark. Peter had known Dave in the UK, when Clark because in 1957 DC had a skiffle band, The Dave Clark Quintet, and Bruce was in another skiffle band, The Hill City Skiffle Group (later Rocky Lee and his Cats). They played gigs together and Bruce did PR for both groups.
The Groop drew on a range of diverse musical influences including jug-band and Cab Calloway-style "jump" music, as well as zany vaudeville/cabaret material. They performed on the Melbourne upper-class social circuit, establishing a solid following with gigs at debutante balls, college formals and similar events. After signing to CBS in 1965 they released theur first two singles, "Ol' Hound Dog" and the double-entendre laden "The Best In Africa". Although considered by some as frivolous novelty records, they proved very popular both with radio programmers and the buying public, and both made the Top 20 in Melbourne.
