THE FORTUNES
The Sixties
Formed in Birmingham, England, in 1963 as the Cliftones, the group was originally a vocal trio consisting of Rod Allen (bass, lead vocals), Glen Dale (guitar, vocals), and Barry Pritchard (guitar, vocals) However, with the explosion of the Beatles and the Merseybeat sound, the group quickly rethought its direction, adding keyboardist David Carr and drummer Andy Brown, and changing their name to The Fortunes. Their first single, "Summertime, Summertime", was credited to the Fortunes and the Cliftones.
The Fortunes utilised their incredible vocal harmonies to some of the most melodic and enduring pop songs recorded during the 1960s and 70s by showcasing the talents of hit songwriting team Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook amongst others. A second Fortunes single 'Caroline' released the following year was adopted by the pirate radio station "Caroline" as its theme tune. Despite plenty of airplay, the record did not chart and their next single A-side titled 'I Like The Look Of You', although highly competent, failed also to chart.
Decca then tried a different approach., when Shel Talmy - with assistance from Mike Leander had The Fortunes cover Johnny Ray's 1957 hit ballad 'Look Homeward Angel' that featured Rod, Glen, and Barry's wonderful harmony vocals over a heavily orchestrated backdrop. The result was an incredible recording that clearly showed the group's potential but unfortunately it also failed to make the charts.
The Fortunes fifth single was a ballad written by professional songwriters Roger Greenaway & Roger Cook and the recording featured lavish instrumentation as well as the now trademark 3-part harmonies by the group featuring Rod Allen’s lead. The song “You’ve Got Your Troubles”, suited the band’s image perfectly with the record almost reaching the top spot in the British charts in August of 1965 and also climbing to No. 7 in the U.S. charts.
With a hit formula now established, a follow-up “Here It Comes Again” (also composed by Greenaway and Cook) was released soon after and gained a No. 4 chart placing. With this success, The Fortunes were able to undertake a package tour of the U.S.A. along with Peter & Gordon and The Moody Blues who were at that time enjoying the international success of their hit single Go Now.
In early 1966, the Fortunes 7th single “This Golden Ring” was released and reached No. 15 in the charts but a tragic blow occurred in June 1966 when the Fortunes’ manager Reg Calvert who also owned Radio City, a pirate radio station located in the Thames Estuary, was shot to death during a confrontation with an employee of Project Atlanta, which owned Caroline South. The Fortunes next few singles missed the charts and in July 1966, guitarist/vocalist Glen Dale left the group to go solo. He was replaced by Scotsman Shel MacRae.
In August of 1967, the Fortunes switched to the United Artists record label and released new singles consisting of self-composed material. The first of these was the excellent track “The Idol” by Rod Allen and Barry Pritchard. This change of direction, although promising, did not achieve chart results but the group soon found new success in recording “advertising jingles”, most notably “It’s The Real Thing” for Coca-Cola. This, along with regular bookings on the on the northern club circuit, sustained the band throughout the later 1960s.
The Seventies
David Carr then left the group in August 1968 and they carried on as a four piece when a switch to the Capitol Records label in 1971, saw the group hooked up once again to writers/producers Greenaway and Cook. The result of this partnership was a new single “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again” which gained the Fortunes a No. 15 chart placing in the USA. The comeback was complete when the next single “Freedom Come Freedom Go” made No. 6 in the British charts followed by “Storm In A Teacup” written by Lynsey De Paul a year later also making it into the top ten.
During the 70’s, The Fortunes had quite a few changes in personnel. Andy Brown decided to leave and Shel McRae also left to pursue a solo career. George McAllister joined the band on keyboards in 1970 and stayed for eight very successful years. Three new members in John Davey, Rick Purcell & John Trickett joined afterwards. The music, whilst centred around their hits, was more in keeping with the progressive rock being played globally at the time. As the 70’s declined and the 80’s approached, the kind of work open for sixties artists changed. The Cabaret Circuit was ‘in vogue’ and the grungy 70’s look was replaced by the velvet suits and the collar and tie.
The Fortunes then turned to comedy and relied heavily on John Davey’s fabulous impressions and their slick, highly polished vocal performances. Barry Pritchard’s brother David, joined the band for a short time but had to retire through ill health. In the early 80’s, Rick Purcell and John Davey left and Paul Keatley was recruited and The Fortunes continued as a four piece.
The Eighties
Early in 1983, Rod and Barry went to see Michael Smitham perform at a show in Coventry and asked him to join The Fortunes. A year later, John Trickett and Paul Keatley left and Paul Hooper, who had worked with Michael for many years. was also asked to join The Fortunes on drums.
This line-up continued very successfully throughout the 80’s, and in ’87 especially, The Fortunes had a big success in Holland and The Benelux Countries with a hit album named “All The Hits and More” recorded in Rosemalen in Holland.
This record and CD sold over 70,000 copies and earned them a Gold Disc, given live on Dutch television! Lots of TV shows and radio appearances followed and The Fortunes again became very popular in Holland. Up to the 90’s, trips to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore, Dubai and other Emirates followed in quick succession.
The Nineties
In January of 1999, Barry (Baz) Pritchard sadly passed away after a long illness and Bob Jackson of Badfinger fame was recruited on keyboards.
Throughout the late ’90’s and the ’00’s The Fortunes continued to tour the world and built on their reputation as one of the finest harmony bands in Europe.
Australia, New Zealand, The Middle East were all re-visited and British and European tours with other artists showcased Rod’s towering vocals and professionalism. Then in September 2008, Rod was diagnosed with liver cancer to which he very quickly succumbed on Jan 10th 2009…………….
The Noughties
Whilst Rod was having treatment, Eddie Mooney of ‘The Dakotas’ fame, was asked to stand in until Rod could return. When Rod was unable to do so, Eddie was made a permanent member of The Fortunes, and with Rod’s blessing, the band went on.
In the years since Rod’s passing, The Fortunes have recorded a new CD titled “Play On”, toured Canada, played Las Vegas with The Searchers, and have topped the bill in shows in Holland, Belgium, Sweden and Germany. They also performed on many cruise ships, including a 10 day cruise on Fred Olsen’s ‘Black Prince’ and ‘The Christmas Cruise’ around the Bahamas..
In April 2010 Paul Hooper decided to leave The Fortunes to concentrate on his video/film/photography business in the North of England and Glenn Taylor was recruited from the ranks of ‘Marmalade’ to fill the drummers seat.
In 2016, The Fortunes were added to the ranks of ‘Rock The Boat’ and completed cruises out of both Southampton and Adelaide in Australia. They also performed on ‘Saga Cruises’ and very successfully completed a tour in Australia in August 2018. They also took part in a monster 62 date tour with ‘The Sensational 60’s Experience’ and did 30 dates on ‘Sixties Gold’
Now........
in September of 2019, Bob Jackson unfortunately found himself to be very poorly and had to go into hospital for treatment which lasted on and off for six months. Whilst Bob was being cared for, Toni Baker (Dakotas) and Chris Hutchison stood in for Bob on keyboards. At the end of his treatment, Bob decided that The Fortunes upcoming workload would be a little too much, and decided to retire from the band to concentrate on his family, and getting well. The Fortunes then offered, with Bob’s blessing, Chris Hutchison the place in the band.
It goes without saying that Bob was liked and loved by many and will be sorely missed by fans, and of course the guys in the band. We all hope and trust that Bob recovers quickly and follows his passion for one of the other bands in his life – ‘Badfinger’ – and gets back on stage as soon as possible………