Formation and Initial Success (1973-1979)
An early version of Sniff 'n' The Tears had been gigging in England as early as 1973. They were unable to land a record deal, and the band's singer/songwriter Paul Roberts decided to dissolve the group and move to France.
A few years later drummer of a band called Moon, Luigi Salvoni listened to some demos that he and Roberts had cut in about 1975 for a French record label. Hearing some potential in them, he contacted Roberts about approaching Chiswick Records for a deal. Sniff 'n' The Tears subsequently debuted in 1977 as a six piece band, consisting of Paul Roberts (vocals, acoustic guitar), Loz Netto (guitars), Mick Dyche (guitars), Chris Birkin (bass), Alan Fealdman (keyboards), and Luigi Salvoni (drums & percussion). This line-up recorded the band's first album, Fickle Heart, which was produced by Salvoni.
Though recorded in 1978, the album sat unreleased for over a year because Chiswick were in the process of changing their distribution. The band then had a substantial international hit with Fickle Heart's lead single "Driver's Seat", in 1979. However, Sniff 'n' The Tears fractured almost immediately after the album's release; in a matter of months, Birkin, Fealdman and Salvoni all left the group to pursue other interests.
Nick South took over on bass, and would become a permanent member of the band. On tour, Sniff 'n' The Tears were augmented by drummer Paul Robinson and keyboardist Keith Miller (who, as a guest musician, had played the Moog solo on "Driver's Seat").
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