Years active 1965–1966 Genres Pop music, Beat music | Active until 1966 | |
 | ||
Past members Geoffrey Mortimer
Harry Dunn
Ricky Knight
Andrew Woonton
Mick Wayne Origin Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom (1965) Albums On Hullabaloo, England's Newest Singing Sensation Record labels Roulette Records, Columbia Graphophone Company Similar The Slades, Ivar Thomassen, Junior's Eyes, The Ivy League, Tommy Quickly | ||
The Hullaballoos were one of the original British Invasion bands. They are best known for their 1965 cover of Buddy Holly's "I'm Gonna Love You Too".
Contents
Biography
The Hullaballoos were created in August 1964, but had been working in the UK for over three years under the name of Ricky Knight and The Crusaders. They were not named after the American television programme Hullabaloo. Their name came from the city of Hull, England, whence they hailed. The band consisted of Geoffrey Mortimer (bass guitar and harmonies, born 1945), Harry Dunn (drums and harmonies, born December 1947, Kingston upon Hull), Ricky Knight (lead singer and rhythm guitar, born Ronald Mitchell, 1944) and Andy Woonton (lead guitar and harmonies, born Andrew Charles Wooton, 19 July 1943, London). They all sang harmony vocals.
The group's look (featuring long dyed blonde hair) and music was put together by Luigi Creatore and Hugo Peretti of Roulette Records to take advantage of the popularity in the United States of British Invasion bands. Signed to Roulette in the US, their UK records appeared on the Columbia label. They made numerous television appearances, most notably the Hullabaloo show. They recorded two albums: England's Newest Singing Sensations and On Hullabaloo (both 1965). Both albums are now available on a single CD.
Their music was reminiscent of Buddy Holly. The group split up soon after they started. Knight left first and was replaced for a short time by Mick Wayne (born Michael Wayne, 1945, Kingston upon Hull — died 26 June 1994) but the group broke up for good in 1966. In May 2010, original members Knight, Dunn, and Woonton re-united for one-off concert. Mortimer was unable to attend.
On 17 December 2016, Geoffrey Mortimer died from cancer.
Chart singles
Songs
Better Change Your WaysOn Hullabaloo · 2005
My Heart Keeps Telling MeOn Hullabaloo · 2005
I Won't Turn Away NowOn Hullabaloo · 2005