Early Career
Chapman was born in Queensland, Australia, but moved to Britain where he became a member of the Downliners Sect and then in 1968 joined the group Tangerine Peel. They released an album in 1969 and had several near-hit singles between 1967 and 1970. In 1970 met Nicky Chinn while working as a waiter at a London nightclub, Tramp. The pair struck up a song-writing partnership, and began working with high-profile producer Mickie Most on his RAK Records label, which quickly became home to a roster of artists including Suzi Quatro, Smokie, and Mud.
Chinn recalled:
| “ | We decided to meet someone who was making hit records instead of going round to publishers’ offices and playing our songs to people who didn’t know what they were talking about. I got hold of Mickie’s home number because I thought a secretary might block the call at the office. His wife, Chris, put him on and I said, ‘We write hits and it would be great to meet up.’ Mickie said, ‘Okay, 11.30 tomorrow morning.’ We played him some songs, all of which he didn’t like, until the last one which was "Tom Tom Turnaround". He gave it to New World and it was a Top 5 record. | ” |
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