OLIVER!
Oliver! is an English musical, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. It premiered in the West End in 1960, enjoying a long run, and successful long runs on Broadway, tours and revivals, after being brought to the US by producer David Merrick in 1963. It was made into a musical film in 1968. Oliver! also received thousands of performances in British schools, particularly in the 1970s, when it was by far the most popular school musical. (More from Wikipedia)
The article on Small Faces in Allmusic opens: “Small Faces were the best English band never to hit it big in America.” Frontman Steve Marriott was the lead guitarist and lead vocalist for the band; he had already appeared in a key role in the musical Oliver!.
(April 2014)
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The Search Party had its origins in the Rejects, a garage rock band that originally formed in about 1963. Later Tim King was recruited as the new drummer, and Jacques Fourie was added as a rhythm guitarist. The musicians were also in various other bands as well as the school band and glee club. Nick Freund discovered Joanie Goff (now Joan Goff Nelson) when he put together a high school choir in Sacramento. He asked her to be the female lead in their production of Oliver!.
(September 2014)
