The Moments were an R&B group from East London, England, formed by Steve Marriott in 1963, after giving up a promising early acting career.

Profile

The Moments started out being called "The Frantiks" or the "Frantik Ones" later changed to "Steve Marriott and The Moonlights", shortened later still to finally become "The Moments" - Due to Marriott's hyperactive nature, he had a habit of changing the group's name at this early time, until the success of later band The Small Faces made it commercially unviable to do so any more. The original "Frantiks" line-up included Marriott, Johnny Herve, Tony McIntyre, Colin Green and Dennis Thompson. Marriott would sometimes have his then girlfriend, English (actress) Adrienne Posta (they both met whilst pupils at the Italia Conti Academy) share vocals with him on duets. Their early musical style was heavily influenced by Buddy Holly whom Marriott was a big fan.

The "Frantiks" cut a cover version of Cliff Richard's song "Move It" with Ex-Shadows drummer Tony Meehan who was brought in to help with production. Despite the single being hawked around the major record companies, no one was interested and the song was consequently never released. It was at this point that original members Dennis Thompson and Johnny Herve quit the group and Marriott changed the bands' name, becoming "Steve Marriott and The Moments". The new line up now had Barry Hewitt on bass, Tony McIntyre on drums, Steve Marriott on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Johnny Weider (ex Johnny Kidd and the Pirates) on lead guitar and Allen Ellett on keyboards and vocals. They became more R&B orientated and they found a manager, Tony Calder. They were each earning a wage of £30 a week (£10 more than Marriott would later be paid by Don Arden in The Small Faces).

The band played gigs as often as six nights a week including spots at The Flamingo and London's famous 100 Club as a result they achieved a loyal mod following - particularly around their hometown the East End of London. The band started to write their own material, a blend of soul with fast and furious R&B, their next record endeavour was called "A Touch Of The Blues", written by Marriott and Ellet the song was in the same vein as The Dave Clark Five's hit at that time "Glad All Over". Andrew Loog Oldham (ex Rolling Stones manager) who had seen the band play was impressed with Marriott's powerful vocal performances, and produced the record, however for reasons unknown the record has never seen the light of day. For a short period in March 1964 Marriott briefly changed the name of the band again, this time to the "Wondering Ones", a month later he changed it back to "The Moments" this is noted by Mark Lewisohn who was the Beatles chronicler. At a gig at The Albion in Rainham, Essex, Marriott first viewed his future Small Faces partner Ronnie Lane who was appearing with his band "The Outcasts". In 1964 The Moments were asked by the World Artists Label to provide a cover of the Kinks hit "You Really Got Me" for American release only, the song however bombed and Marriott's fellow songwriter Ellet left the band.

In October 1964 "The Moments" told Marriott he was no longer wanted in the group, they needed someone older to represent the band, and so Marriott was given his marching orders, member Ellet pointed out that the group were often called "Steve Marriott's Moments" and this had started to grate on the other members and may have been a contributing factor.

The Moments never hit the big time, however original founding member Steve Marriott did, early the next year in his next group The Small Faces.

References

External links

• stevemarriott.co.uk The Official Steve Marriott website