Ace were a British rock music band, who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. They are notable for their part in the early career of Paul Carrack, who later became famous as a solo artist, and as a member of several other groups. The band was formed in December 1972 as Ace Flash And The Dynamos, but this name was quickly abbreviated to just Ace.

Original band members

• Paul Carrack (born 22 April 1951, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England; keyboards, vocals).
• Alan "Bam" King (born 18 September 1946, Kentish Town, London; guitar, vocals).
• Phil Harris (born Philip Harris, 18 July 1948, Muswell Hill, London; guitar, vocals)
• Terry "Tex" Comer (born 23 February 1949, Burnley, Lancashire, England; bass)
• Steve Witherington (born 26 December 1953, Enfield, Middlesex, England; drums).

Career

The members were assembled from various other professional bands, and were all competent musicians. Carrack and Comer had previously played with Warm Dust, and King with Mighty Baby, whose antecedents were the highly regarded 1960s band The Action. Ace were popular on the pub rock circuit. Their music was pop with a funk influence.

Before the recording of their debut album, Five-A-Side, ex-Bees Make Honey drummer Fran Byrne (born 17 March 1948, Dublin, Ireland) replaced Witherington. The single "How Long" (a song about one of the members leaving for another group) was taken from this record, and was a significant chart success, achieving a top twenty place in the UK Singles Chart, and reaching number three in the U.S. charts. Its bass introduction was similar to that of "Travelling Song" by Pentangle. Carrack's electric piano was also prominent on the recording. In addition, "How Long" is believed to have been an instrumental influence on Steely Dan as well as shaping the vocal styling of Boz Scaggs.

The band eventually moved to America, and replaced Phil Harris with Jon Woodhead in 1976. But it was all in vain as they disbanded in July 1977, when most of the remaining members joined Frankie Miller's band.

Carrack has since played in Eric Clapton's band, joined Squeeze in the early 1980s, and later played with Mike + The Mechanics. He also re-recorded "How Long", as a solo artist, which became a UK Top 40 hit again in 1996.

Discography

Albums

• Five-a-side - 1974
• Time For Another - 1975
• No Strings - 1977
• Six-a-side - 1982 (compilation)
• The Best Of Ace - 1987 (compilation)
• The Very Best Of Ace - 1993 (compilation)

Singles

• "How Long" - 1974
• "I Ain't Gonna Stand For This" - 1975
• "Rock & Roll Runaway" - 1975
• "No Future In Your Eyes" - 1975
• "You're All That I Need" - 1977
• "Found Out The Hard Way" - 1977

References

• The Great Rock Discography - 5th Edition - ISBN 1-84195-017-3
• Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X