THE LOVE AFFAIR – “Everlasting Love”
I don’t normally go into the “making of” stuff on Popular, but this one is a great little snapshot of the 60s pop biz at work. The band formed as a rich man’s present to his aspirational drummer son – all photogenic teen boys, they worked their way round the London soul clubs, looking for a breakthrough, found it in this song. They could play a bit, but didn’t on this record – or any of their other hits. “Everlasting Love” struggled in the charts, was helped along by the band getting into trouble for climbing the Piccadilly Eros, and also by the £200 that Dad – a handbag magnate – slipped to Radio Caroline for airplay. It hit number one and the band were hearththrobs for a year, then vanished. Perfect.
The record’s pretty great, too. The label surely made the right decision ignoring the demo (on which the Love Affair actually played) in favour of sessionmen a full orchestra – in contrast to a lot of over-arranged 60s hits, “Everlasting Love” is tightly and smartly constructed: every element is there simply to make the record more exciting – the sudden stop and whistling breakdown before the climax chorus, the bass, the brass. None of it gets in the way of Steve Ellis’ vocal – the only member of the band on the hit, he puts in a fantastic performance. He’s taking his cues from soul music, but Ellis was only 18, which shows not in any fluffs or mis-steps but in a tremulous hoarse intensity – as the chorus hits again and again, he nails the overwhelming urgency of teenage love superbly. What you get is ruthless studio craft allied to hormone rush: classic boyband formula.
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Tom in FT / Popular • 10,464 views • Share/Save
Isn’t the biggest factor whether you look like a boyband, though?
Would be embarrassing if you turned out to be girls, for instance. But anyway, fans of *NSync and Backstreet Boys in the years 1997 through 2001 probably didn’t use “boyband” as a derogatory term, either. That’s just my guess, mind you.
Everlasting Love has a great drum break by Clem Cattini, hopelessly mimed on TOTPs by Maurice Bacon.
I think young Trevor Horn must have listened long and hard to that drum break near the end…
Also some very fine bass playing going on there, almost Nigerian hi-life in style…sounds like Herbie Flowers, though I suppose it could have been Brian Odges…
According to Clem Cattini it was session player, Russ Stableford, playing a fender bas, who did the memorable bass lines on Everlasting Love
Read with interest various snippets on Love Affair, but can you help very desperate!!!!!!! Is there anywhere on this planet you can get black and white footage 68/69 of Everlasting Love or Bringing on Back the Good Times. All I have is Beat Club German A Day Without Love.. Seen Steve 4 times had a few words with him, got his autograph, and it is true still has a great voice. I look for more gigs on his site but he dosnt seem to be doing anything, maybe he is window cleaning in Brighton!!! Record Collector says he appeared on old grey whistle test early 76, with rock band widowmaker cotacted the mag with no luck as the mag said it hadnt been swiped.
your steve rudge
Hey, my father-in-law played with Love Affair as the bassist at some point in the band’s history. I don’t know all the details and I would really like to find out some for my husband. Does anyone have any info on Robin Boyle?
Re last 2 emails, You Tube.com has b&w 1968 footage of Love Affair singing Rainbow Valley. Robin Boyle isnt listed as a member of any of the line-ups of Love Affair that continued into the 1980’s-though there were a couple of counterfeit Love Affairs (!) playing on the cabaret circuit for a while
This is Russell Stablefords wife and grandson. Well spotted Bramble, Russell Stableford was the bassist on ‘Everlasting Love’. Nice to see somebdy know’s their stuff, since other sites credit the bassline to Herbie Flowers. If my Grandmother’s memory serves her correctly, all the session musicians arrived, and all they had to work with was the song, no music. As it was a long time ago she’s not 100% sure of the details of this, but if she is correct i think it goes to show the amazing talent of all the musicians who worked on this song to make it one of those legendary songs time wont forget.
sorry to be so dilatory, Lord Sukrat but it was the good old Music Hall in Shrewsbury (also saw Judus Priest and Bebop Deluxe there, in the same month Steve Ellis played)
i saw penetration and the buzzcocks there! supported by some local act who played in black and white checks and had a foam rubber “comedy” guitar
(also — a bit earlier — the PANTO every year, feat.the WENDY EVEREST DANCERS!)
(Your search – “WENDY EVEREST DANCERS” – did not match any documents.)
I think even Herbie thinks he was the bassplayer on the track!
Hi. This is Herbie Flowers. I’ve just found this great site regarding ‘Everlasting Love’ by The Love Affair. Can I make it clear that dear Russ Stableford played the memorable bass line on this recording. How my name was attached to it I’ve no idea. Russ was mainly responsible for helping me get ‘on the circuit’ by getting me to occasionally dep for him on gigs with Ray McVay & the like. That was after the work he did for Love Affair. I am eternally grateful to him for that. Probably Russ played on many many more hits than he is credited for. His sound is so distinctive, as was his gentle manner. He certainly played on many Serge Gainsburg records too to no acclaim. How I wish that record companies who claim not to have kept a history of who played on what would come clean, dig in their files and help truth be known. There is now a scheme called PAMRA that holds a little money for those musicians who actually played on loads of classic recordings. Seems such a shame others are getting it. God blesses you forever, Russ.
Thanks for posting, Herbie. You might also be interested in – and have memories to share on – Tom’s later post on “Grandad”:
http://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2006/11/clive-dunn-grandad/
Interesting single to say the least,especially because of the number of cover. didn’t robert knight do the original (& rainbow valley)
A Kind of british version of Motown, together with a singer that sounds identical to Felix Cavaliere (the young rascals)
LOVED LOVE AFFAIR, THEY LOOKED GREAT AND SOUNDED FANTASTIC. I WAS ONLY 15 WHEN I FIRST SAW AND HEARD THEM, WHERE ARE THEY NOW DOES ANYBODY KNOW ?
hi can some1 please tell me how i can get a copy of this record and has it got everlasting love on it thanks my email address is
simikate2004@yahoo.co.uk thanks xxxx
STEVE ELLIS has carried on SINGING and PERFORMING despite having FEET CRUSHED in horrible DOCK WORKER accident when he went back to ORIGINAL TRADE in EARLY EIGHTIES.
MORGAN FISHER went on to join MOTT THE HOOPLE then diversified into AVANT-AMBIENT IMPROV with RECIDIVIST RENEGADES e.g. LUSCIOUS LOL COXHILL!
Dunno about the REST OF THEM but I hope they’re WELL.
This was the original “pub singer” song, surely?
It always comes back to me as fat bloke with a pint and a mic going “Heart gooes astrayyyyy, giving hurrrrrr when they goinnnnnnnn….”
Don’t know about that – I would have thought there were far likelier candidates in the charts of ’68, e.g. Delilah, What A Wonderful World, She Wears My Ring etc.
What, and they were all hits in January? Blimey, that’s one heck of a christmas pub stayback!
Not all in January, but I can’t say I’ve ever heard Everlasting Love done in the Club Style, unlike She Wears My Ring which dribbled out of every Jimmy Logan wannabe in seventies Glasgow, especially at wedding receptions.
Glad to say, I think I’ve heard it once, but that’s all.
I loved them in the 60’s b Steve Ellis was my hearthrob not only for just 1 year but for 40 yrs – still love his voice ! hopin to see him next year with the ‘new Amen Corner’ who i last saw when i was 14 many many years ago
The love affair and Steve Ellis were my hearthrobs for 37 years.Imet them at Top Rank in Leicester,all them years ago,and ill never forget…..xxxxx
Hey thanks Herbie for the kind words and recognition for my dad Russ Stableford, he had a great deal of regard for you too as an excellent musician and bassist.
As for myself I thought the stuff you did in the band Sky with your other fellow professional musicians was excellent…not too sure about the tubor playing and the funny pixie outfit or were you dressed as Noddy…it was brave though and got a laugh!! Thanks again Herbie.
Cheers
Glyn
Hello Playmates,what a carry on! First & foremost Russ was the Bass player not Herbie or Brian although all are seriously talented..R.I.P.Russ.& thanks.
To clarify.The band formed in `66 & were called Soul Survivors the name was changed (Love Affair) for a flop on Decca Records & I hated it.Next up popped “Everlasting Love” at rehearsals by Southern Soul singer Robert Knight we learnt it & recorded it at Island records but da management decided it was not good enough although I hasten to add we were a pretty tight band having played the Mod & Soul Clubs & Allnighters.
Keith Mansfield was brought in to arrange it & MIke Smith to produce I did it in two takes (with session musicians) it sounded so good.Were we a boyband? Well we were boys but we were not manufactured.
I met Robert Knight a couple of years later he was a gent & had a hit with it in USA so was not remotely bothered that I sang it.
Thanks for the nice comments everyone.
Be lucky.
Steve Ellis.
P.S. We had five other hits for the record & split up Christmas 1969 mainly because we toured constantly for almost four years without a break & thats all I have to say about that.
It’s great when the performers or others associated with a record come on here and comment, they’re always very welcome. You’d hope it’s not the kind of thing someone would hoax us about, although occasionally you need to be a little wary about who people claim to be.
In this case we’ve had lots of input from the Stablefords and Herbie Flowers, and Steve’s post does link to his official homepage – so I’m sure we can take it as legit – it’s just a pity he chose to post on April 1st!
So welcome aboard Steve and thanks for your post. (There’s a fascinating biog on his site if you follow the link – a very well connected bloke…)
Does anyone remember a TV show on BBC2 in 1969 that featured the Love Affair? It was a half hour long on a Saturday night and was part of a series that also featured Jethro Tull. It may have been “Disco 2″ I can’t recall. Great info on Russ Stableford! I always wondered who the bass player on the record was. It must have been him on “Eloise” by Barry Ryan too. I heard “Everlasting Love” today on the radio, and Steve Ellis’ voice really does sound great!
Re #54 – You’re in luck. 68 editions of Disco 2 were made in 1970 1nd 1971, and the one that features Love Affair is one of the only two that survive!;
(LINE-UP’S) DISCO 2: with Jimmy Campbell, Mike Harding, L.A. (Love Affair), Rare Bird, UFO (1970)
HI GLYN STABLEFORD. FERGIE MAYNARD HERE.I TOOK OVER FROM GINGER BAKER SO THAT HE COULD RUN “CREAM” DID A YEAR WITH DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY THEN WORKED TOURED AND LIVED WITH YOUR GREAT SWINGING BASS PLAYING DAD. WE SHARED HOTEL ROOMS AND USED MY JAGUAR OR YOUR DAD`S CAR. SO I HAVE A COUPLE OF PHOTOGRAPHS THAT YOU MIGHT LIKE.WE BOTH WORKED TOGETHER FOR HENRY(HANK)MANCINI, NELSON RIDDLE, NAT KING COLE WHO THOUGHT THAT YOUR DAD WAS GREAT AND ANITA O DAY WHO SANG TEA FOR TWO SO FAST THAT TONY HATCH SAID MY LEGS WENT FASTER THAN EGG WHISKS AND BOB LEAPER LAUGHED AT MY GRENSON SHOES BECAUSE THEY WERE THE COLOUR OF COW MUCK. (MUSHROOM REALLY) RUSS TOLD ME TO MARRY VIKKI CARR AND SO DID HENRY MANCINI,BUT I HAVEN`T MANAGED THAT YET. I WORKED IN A CLUB WITH HERBIE FLOWERS ONCE OR TWICE AND YOUR DAD RUSS AND HERBIE ARE ABOUT THE BEST FROM A DRUMMERS POINT OF VIEW. WE DID SOME FILM MUSIC TOO AND IT WAS ONLY WHEN I WAS AN ACTOR IN “EMMA” WITH GWYNETH PALTROW IN 1995 I MENTIONED RUSS STABLEFORD AND MALCOLM MITCHELL AND TO MY DISMAY HEARD THAT BOTH HAD PASSED AWAY. KINDEST REGARDS TAKE CARE. FERGIE MAYNARD.
This is becoming the Love Affair’s Facebook page! Good stuff, chaps, keep it going.
Hi Glyn. Is there any info available on your Dad’s gear? I presume a Fender Jazz Bass was involved? I’m a bassist too and have always wanted that exact sound. Its unbeatable! Cheers, Dave.
Hi, early claim to fame was that the Love Affair lived in my street, Eton Avenue in Finchley. Not sure the whole band lived there but I used to see the occasional fan on my way to school (I was 12)
One of the best singles of late 60’s
I always used to pick out the backing singer on it. Heard the lovely Kiki Dee on radio recently saying it was her on backing vocals. No wonder I always thought it was a familiar voice.
Hello Love Affair and Steve Ellis! Everlasting Love By Love Affair is super and fantastic Song!
This is a message for Fergie Maynard. Your cousin Beryl is hoping to make contact with you. Please feel free to e-mail me and I will put you in touch with her.
Regards
Andrew
EVERLASTING LOVE, RUSS STABLEFORDS BASS INTRO. FERGIE MAYNARD HERE AGAIN . THANKS ANDREW SEND ME AN E.MAIL CAN`T SEEM TO GET THROUGH ON FREAKYTRIGGER@HOTMAIL.COM FORGOT TO MENTION THAT RUSS AND I WERE SUMMONED TO THE BBC RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP AT THE MAIDA VALE STUDIOS LONDON. THEY HAD BASS GUITAR LIKE FINGERBOARDS ON THE BENCH AMONGST OTHER EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT. WE WERE ASKED TO RECORD ALL THE SOUNDS WE COULD THINK OF ON DRUMS OR BASS. RUSS PLAYED LOADS OF HARMONICS AND CLIMBED ALL OVER HIS BASS WHILE I DID A MIAMI VICE APPROACH WITH STICKS MALLETS BRUSHES AND A PAN DRUM WITH A HUGE WAD OF CHEWING GUM STUCK UNDER THE HEAD TO LOWER THE SOUND.RUSS PRODUCED UNBELIEVABLE SOUNDS FROM HIS BASS AND THE SMALL STUDIO GAVE GOOD ACOUSTICS. RUSS GAVE THE BBC ENGINEER MORE THAN ENOUGH TO WORK WITH. THEY HAD A STRANGE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CALLED A WOBULATER, WHATEVER THAT MEANS.THIS WAS ALL IN 1959 1960 WHEN WE DID THE MALCOLM MITCHELL SHOW AND THE ROYAL VARIETY SHOW PLUS TWO WEEKS AT THE PALLADIUM WITH NINA AND FREDERICK. rUSS SHOWED ME HOW WE COULD TUNE THE DRUM TO HIS COMMON BASS NOTES FOR THE CALYPSO AND AFRO CUBAN RHYTHMS USED IN SOME OF NINA AND FREDERIKS SONGS. FOR ANY DRUMMERS INTERESTED THE BEST SOUNDS I EVER GOT WERE FROM A “buffalo” OIL FILLED HEAD KINDLY GIVEN TO ME BY MAX BEAZLEY.GOOD LUCK TO ALL BASS PLAYERS THEY KEEP THE MUSIC ALIVE.REGARDS TO ALL Fergie.
The great bass sound from Russ Stableford is also reminiscent of the bass sound on `Groovin with Mr Bloe` Does anyone know if Russ Stableford also play bass on the Mr Bloe sessions?
FERGIE MAYNARD DRUMS RUSS STABLEFORD BASS.”GROOVIN WITH MR BLOE” HI A.D. RUSS STABLEFORD AND I PLAYED IN THE BBC MAIDA VALE STUDIOS NEXT TO THE BBC RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP. I PLAYED DRUMS ON A WEEKLY BROADCAST FROM THERE WITH THE TALENTED “MR BLOE”. RUSS AND I kNEW HIM AS “ZACK” I AM ALMOST CERTAIN THAT RUSS CARRIED ON PLAYING BASS FOR “GROOVIN WITH MR BLOE”
I HAVE LOST TOUCH WITH MOST OF THEM BUT IF MR BLOE READS THIS HE MIGHT STILL BE AROUND AND TELL US. I ENJOYED THE SESSIONS VERY MUCH. THE LAST TIME THAT I SPOKE TO ZACK WE DISCUSSED “BLUESETTE” AND I THINK THAT RUSS ALSO SPOKE TO ZACK ABOUT PLAYING FOR JAZZ VOCALIST MARK MURPHY. REGARDS FERGIE MAYNARD
Hi Fergie.Just found out via Mike Reads excellent web site,the bass player on `Groovin with Mr Bloe was one Dave Glover.Does that ring a bell?? Where are you now Dave?
Just harking back to `Everlasting Love` by the Love Affair,I see above the backing vocals have been credited to KiKi Dee.This is incorrect.The backing vocals were supplied by Madeline Bell,Lesley Duncan and Kay Garner (details as supplied by Madeline Bell via http://www.spencerleigh.demon.co.uk/interview_bell
MESSAGE FOR FERGIE MAYNARD! Is there a website I can log onto with an email link so I can contact you. I was one of your pupils back in 1972!
Regards, Richard Malin, Leamington Spa