City Boy

City Boy was a moderately successful English rock band in the late 1970s, characterised by complex vocal arrangements and heavy guitars. The band consisted of Lol Mason (vocals), Steve Broughton (guitar), Max Thomas (keyboards, guitar), Chris Dunn (bass, guitar), Roger Kent (drums), Mike Slamer (guitar, bass), and Roy Ward (drums). Their most popular songs were "5.7.0.5." and "The Day The Earth Caught Fire."

History

In the early 1970s, Lol Mason, Steve Broughton, Max Thomas and Chris Dunn were playing folk music in the Birmingham area. They toured the clubs of the Midlands and turned professional towards the end of 1975. They were offered a recording contract by Phonogram Records on condition that they change their name from "Back In the Band" and add drums and electric guitar. This prompted them to recruit Roger Kent and Mike Slamer.

City Boy's first five albums were produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and are among the first albums he produced. Their breakthrough came in 1978 with their hit song "5.7.0.5." and the subsequent album Book Early. The single reached the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, achieving also a silver award for 200,000 copies sold, although the album failed to scratch the UK Albums Chart. The single also made the top 30 in the U.S., peaking at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Their next album, 1979's The Day The Earth Caught Fire, produced a minor UK hit in the title song. This album marked an early recording appearance by Huey Lewis, who played harmonica on the second track "Only The End of The World."

Broughton left the band, and City Boy released Heads Are Rolling in 1980. Their final album, It's Personal from 1981, failed to attract any attention. Unable to secure a contract with any of the major companies, the band split up in 1982. Lol Mason formed The Maisonettes that year. Most of City Boy's albums were labelled and distributed by Vertigo Records, also known as PolyGram and Polydor.

In the Philippines, the group was briefly popular for another song, "Speechless", the track from the band that played there. In 2000, Jorn Lande covered "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" with Ronni Le Tekro on guitar and Sid Ringsby on bass.

In August 2008, several City Boy albums, Book Early, Young Men Gone West, Dinner at the Ritz and the band's self-titled debut, were reissued.

Selected discography

Singles
"Shake my Head and Leave" (1975)
"Hap-ki-do Kid" (1976)
"Surgery Hours" (1976)
"She's got style" (1977)
"I've been Spun" (1977)
"Turn on to Jesus" (1977)
"5.7.0.5." (1978) UK #8, U.S. #27
"What A Night" (1978) UK #39
"The Day The Earth Caught Fire" (1979) UK #67
"Heads are Rolling" (1980)
"Lovers" (1981)

Albums
City Boy (1976)
Dinner at the Ritz (1976)
Young Men Gone West (1977)
Book Early (1978)
The Day The Earth Caught Fire (1979)
Heads Are Rolling (1980)
It's Personal (1981)

Audio sample

City Boy - "5.7.0.5." excerpt
An excerpt from "5.7.0.5."