Fabulous Poodles - History

History

The Fabulous Poodles started out just as The Poodles. The original Fabulous Poodles consisted of founder Bob Suffolk on piano, Tony De Meur on lead vocals and guitar, Richie Robertson on bass and vocals, Bobby Valentino (UK) on violin, mandolin and vocals and Bryn Burrows on drums.

Many of the band's lyrics were written by John Parsons (The Invisible Man), an artist/poet, who wrote “Chicago Boxcar”, about a hair cut, for deMeur to put music to. Suffolk recognised a possible hit and asked deMeur to join the band. The song was taken to Private Stock Records who released it as a single in connection with Dave Woods.

The Poodles began touring England and the continent. Eventually Suffolk left the band and went on to design recording studios (Suffolk Studio Design). while the final line up settled down to life on the road with Parsons as van driver, road manager and warm-up act as the Blue Poodle on a unicycle, often with his Jack Russell dog, Nipper, who howled to the harmonica. Parsons designed all the promotional material and merchandise. In 1979 the Fabulous Poodles embarked on an American tour supporting such notable acts as the Ramones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

The Fabulous Poodles were very heavily influenced by such British 1960s acts as The Who and The Kinks. Their first album was produced by John Entwistle, who also played eight- string bass on a few songs. Their second LP, Unsuitable, featured their two best known songs, Mirror Star and Chicago Boxcar (Boston Back) and was produced by Muff Winwood. In 1978 they undertook a UK tour with special guest Tom Sorahan. Their manager was Brian Lane manager of Yes.

In 1979 the final album Think Pink was recorded and released, the title being the only lyrics to one of the songs, Pink City Twist. In 1980 the Fabulous Poodles released their final single, Stompin' on the Cat b/w Anna Rexia and Don't You Lie To Me. Bryn Burrows later joined Freur and was in the original lineup of Underworld.