Idle Race
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The Idle Race were an early rock group from Birmingham, England. Originally formed in the 1950s as Billy King And The Nightriders, they changed their name to Mike Sheridan And The Nightriders and then simply to Nightriders. Shortly after Jeff Lynne joined up with existing members Dave Pritchard (rhythm guitar), Roger Spencer (drums) and Greg Masters (bass) in 1966, the band renamed itself yet again to Idle Race.
The group, which was very well received by the music press for their melodies, whimsical lyrics, and inventive production, often appeared on the same bill with such bands as The Spencer Davis Group, The Who, The Small Faces, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, Status Quo, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Yes, Free, and The Move.
In 1970, Jeff Lynne quit the band to join The Move, led by ex-Mike Sheridan and The Nightriders member Roy Wood. After Lynne's departure Mike Hopkins (guitar) and Dave Walker (vocals) were hired to replace him.
In 1971 the band produced their final album "Time Is" before Pritchard, Spencer and Masters left the band. The remnants of the band gave birth to The Steve Gibbons Band.
Albums - The Birthday Party (1968), Idle Race (1969), Time Is (1971)
Singles - Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree (cover of song by The Move - 1967), Impostors Of Life's Magazine (1967), The Skeleton And The Roundabout (1968), The End Of The Road (1968), I Like My Toys (1968 - but never released), Days Of The Broken Arrows (1969), Come With Me (1969), In The Summertime (1970), Neanderthal Man (1970), Dancing Flower (1971)
The Skeleton And The Roundabout was re-issued in 1976 to cash in on the popularity of the Electric Light Orchestra.
A new Idle Race boxset is rumored to be available in late 2005.