The Equals

The Equals were a British pop, R&B and rock group^[1] that formed in North London, England in 1965.^[3] They are mainly remembered for their million-selling chart-topper, "Baby, Come Back". Eddy Grant, at times sporting dyed blond hair, founded the group. Completing the original line-up were John Hall, Pat Lloyd, and twin brothers Derv and Lincoln Gordon.^[3]

History

In 1965, the group began playing together on a Hornsey Rise council estate.^[4] The Equals released "Hold Me Closer" / "Baby, Come Back" single in 1966. It did not do well in the United Kingdom, but went to the number one position in Germany and the Netherlands.^[3] On the song's re-issue in the UK, it also reached the top position, giving President Records their only number one hit.^[5] In June 1969, the group received a gold disc for a combined one million sales of the disc.^[4] The year 1968 saw the release of "I Get So Excited", and reached the Top 50 of the UK Singles Chart. In September 1969, according to reports, all five group members were injured in a motorway car accident in Germany.^[6]

A string of single releases followed up to 1970, all of which charted in the UK. The group also attracted attention as one of the few racially integrated bands of the 1960s, which was reflected in the group's name: The Equals.^[3]

At the beginning of 1971, Grant suffered a collapsed lung and heart infection, following which he returned to Guyana.^[7] He promptly left The Equals to pursue his solo career. In the late 1970s and early 1980s Grant released several Top 40 singles, including "Living On The Front Line", "Electric Avenue" and "Romancing the Stone". Grant also topped the UK Singles Chart in 1982 with "I Don't Wanna Dance". Although The Equals never charted again after Grant's departure, they remained a popular live act, performing into the late 1970s.^[3]

Influence

The Equals music has continued to be influential. In 1980, The Clash recorded a cover version of The Equals' song "Police On My Back" (a track from the group's Baby, Come Back album).^[8] In 2006 Willie Nile released his cover of "Police on My Back" on his Streets of New York CD.^[9] The Equals' song "Green Light" was covered by The Detroit Cobras, on their 2007 album, Tied & True.^[10] Pato Banton scored a UK number one with his cover "Baby Come Back."^[11] Chelsea Handler described a meeting with Pat Lloyd in chapter 6 of her book, Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.

Original line-up

• Dervin "Derv" Gordon (born 29 June 1948, Jamaica) – vocals
• Eddy Grant (born 5 March 1948, Plaisance, Guyana) – guitar
• Patrick "Pat" Lloyd (born 17 March 1948, Holloway, London) – guitar
• Lincoln Gordon (born 29 June 1948, Jamaica) – bass
• John Hall (born 25 October 1946, Islington, London)^[4] – drums

Discography

Singles

Albums

• Unequalled Equals – (1967) (UK no. 10)
• Supreme – (1968)
• Equals Explosion – (1968) (UK no. 32)^[15]
• Sensational – (1968)
• Baby, Come Back - (1968)^[16]
• Strike Again - (1969)^[16]
• Equals At The Top - (1970)^[16]

Selected compilation albums

• First Among Equals – The Greatest Hits – (1996)^[17]
• Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys – The Anthology – (1999)^[18]

See also

• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
• List of number-one singles from the 1960s (UK)
• UK No.1 Hits of 1968
• List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States
• List of performances on Top of the Pops
• List of performers on Top of the Pops
• Caribbean music in the United Kingdom
• IBC Studios
• Laurie Records
• RCA Records

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Equals.

• The Equals discography at Discogs
• Complete list of LPs and singles