Love Affair: Pioneers of British Pop and Soul

Love Affair was a British pop and soul group that rose to prominence in the late 1960s. Hailing from England, the band is best remembered for their chart-topping 1968 single "Everlasting Love," which became a defining sound of the era and sold over a million copies.

Early career

Love Affair formed in London in 1966, initially as a soul and R&B covers band. The original lineup featured vocalist Steve Ellis, keyboardist Morgan Fisher, guitarist Rex Brayley, bassist Mick Jackson, and drummer Maurice Bacon.

They were discovered by CBS Records A&R man Mike Smith, who signed them to the label's subsidiary, CBS Records. Their early releases were soul-infused pop tracks that laid the groundwork for their imminent success.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough arrived in late 1967 with their cover of Robert Knight's "Everlasting Love." Released in January 1968, the single soared to number one on the UK Singles Chart, cementing their status as teen idols.

The success led to a gold certification for the single and propelled their debut album, "The Everlasting Love Affair," which also charted successfully. Their polished, orchestrated pop-soul sound became highly influential on the British scene.

Key tracks

Everlasting Love — Their signature number-one hit that defined the orchestrated pop-soul sound of 1968.

A Day Without Love — This 1968 follow-up single secured another UK Top 10 hit, peaking at number six.

Rainbow Valley — A further Top 5 UK success that showcased the band's consistent chart appeal in 1968.

Bringing On Back the Good Times — This 1969 release marked another Top 10 entry, demonstrating their hit-making longevity.

Later career and legacy

Despite their chart success, Love Affair faced criticism for not playing on their early records, a common studio practice of the time. The band insisted on performing live and on later recordings to prove their musicianship.

Internal tensions and the changing musical landscape led to Steve Ellis's departure in 1969 for a solo career. The band continued with new vocalists, releasing further singles and the album "New Day" in 1970, but disbanded in 1971.

The music of Love Affair remains a staple of 1960s compilations, with "Everlasting Love" enduring as a classic. The original song has been covered by numerous artists across decades, a testament to the strength of the original hit by Love Affair.

For fans of the melodic, soul-tinged pop of late 1960s Britain, check out similar artists like The Equals, who also blended pop with other genres. The Herd shared a similar orchestrated pop sound and produced a young Peter Frampton. The Truth offered a grittier take on British blue-eyed soul. Finally, The Paper Dolls represented the female-fronted side of the era's chart-friendly pop scene.

The music of Love Affair maintains a strong rotation on dedicated classic pop FM stations and 60s gold radio streams. Their timeless hits are regularly featured on specialist programs celebrating the British Invasion and the soul-pop crossover era.

You can hear the enduring pop-soul anthems of Love Affair on radio stations featured across our network. Discover and listen to this iconic British group through the classic hits and specialist genre stations available on onairium.com.