The Allisons
OriginEngland
GenresPop
Years active1961–1963
LabelsFontana Records
Past membersBob Day
John Alford

The Allisons were an English pop duo consisting of Bob Day (born Bernard Colin Day; 2 February 1941 – 25 November 2013)[1] and John Alford (born Brian Henry John Alford, 31 December 1939).[2] They were marketed as being brothers, using the surname of Allison.

Career

The Allisons represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1961 with the song "Are You Sure?". They came second with 24 points. The song was released as a single on the Fontana label, and climbed to number 1 on the UK NME pop chart, while in the chart compiled by the Official Charts Company the song spent six weeks at number 2 and a further three weeks in the top 4.[3] "Are You Sure" sold over one million records, earning a gold disc.[2] In Germany the single reached number 11.[4] Despite a couple of minor follow-up hits, the duo disbanded in 1963.

Alford initially tried songwriting, but he and Day teamed up for short tours to keep the 'Allisons' name alive. Additionally, in the 1970s and 1980s Alford was joined by other "brothers" — Mike "Allison" and Tony "Allison". By the 1990s, Day and Alford regularly reunited to perform on the oldies circuit.

The Allisons' final public performance was at the "Tales from the Woods" British R'n'Roll Heritage Show #8 at The Borderline Club in London, 2012. A clip from that show can be found on the 'Tales From The Woods' YouTube channel

Bob Day died on 25 November 2013, aged 72, after a long illness.[5]

Discography

Albums

Year Title UK Record label
1961 Are You Sure[6] — Fontana Records

Singles

Year Title US UK Record label B-side
1961 "Are You Sure?"[7] 102 2 Fontana Records "There's One Thing More"
"Words"[8] — 34 Fontana Records "Blue Tears"
"What a Mess"[9] — — Fontana Records "Lorraine"
1962 "Lessons in Love"[10] — 30 Fontana Records "Oh, My Love"
"I'll Cross My Fingers"[11] — — Fontana Records "You Should Be Sorry"

References

  1. ↑ "Bob Allison | The Allisons Star Dies At 72". Contactmusic.com. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 131. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  3. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 20. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ↑ Ehnert, Günter (ed.): Hit Bilanz. Deutsche Chart Singles 1956-1980. Hamburg: Taurus Press, 1990, S. 15
  5. ↑ Leigh, Spencer (1 January 2014). "Bob Allison: Eurovision contestant who was fielded as one half of the British answer to the hitmaking Everly Brothers". The Independent.
  6. ↑ "Allisons, The - Are You Sure (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 5 December 1961. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Allisons, The - Are You Sure (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. February 1961. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "Allisons, The - Words (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 5 December 1961. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "Allisons, The - What A Mess (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 5 December 1961. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "Allisons, The - Lessons In Love (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. February 1962. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  11. ↑ "Allisons, The - I'll Cross My Fingers (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 5 December 1962. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
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