Wishful Thinking (British band)


Wishful Thinking is a British Rock Band, originally formed in the 1960s.
The band's biggest success was the song Hiroshima, in 1978, achieving a top ten position in the German charts.
They had previously had a small success in 1966 with the song "Step by Step", which listed in the "Big L Fab 40", a hit parade at the pirate radio station Wonderful Radio London.

History

In 1963, Roy Daniels, Richard Taylor, Alan Elkins, Roger Charles and Brian Allen formed the group "Emeralds" which was renamed to "Wishful Thinking" from 1965 onwards. In 1964 Alan Elkins left the formation.
The band's first single in 1963, and two more in 1965 were released under the initial band name "Emeralds".
It was common practice in the 1960s to use experienced session musicians in the studio due to the cost of studio time.
Their second single "Don't Listen to Your Friends" featured session guitarist Big Jim Sullivan from the Tom Jones band. Their third single "King Lonely The Blue" featured session guitarist Jimmy Page who later became famous with Led Zeppelin. A subsequent single "Count To Ten" featured some session drumming from Mitch Mitchell from The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
In 1965, Richard Taylor was replaced by Terry New. In 1966 the song "Step by Step" was listed in the "Big L Fab 40", a hit parade at the pirate radio station Wonderful Radio London.
Singer Roy Daniels left the band in 1967. He was replaced by Kevin Scott, who also used the name Danny Finn and was later singer with the New Seekers from 1976 to 1978. In 1967, Terry New was replaced by John Franklin and Roger Charles was replaced by Tony Collier. Tony Collier also performed the lead vocals on several songs. In the early 1970s, Brian Allen was replaced by Pete Ridley, and then John Redpath - who remained with the band until 1979.
Wishful Thinking recorded the album titled "Hiroshima" at Chappel Recording Studios, Wimbledon, London. The first release in Germany in 1971 was simply titled "Wishful Thinking". John "Speedy Fingers" Timperley was the audio engineer. Ruan O'Lochlainn who also worked with Jethro Tull, Rick Wakeman and Ringo Starr, did cover artwork and photography. Lou Reizner was producer of the single and album.
In 1973, Wishful Thinking was involved in the soundtrack for the British music film That'll Be the Day. They contributed the song "It'll be Me" and they can be seen next to Billy Fury at a dance contest.
In 1980, the group became inactive. On 16.April 2005, the band members Kevin Finn, Brian Allen, Tony Collier, and John Franklin reunited to perform on television for the RTL.
In May 2012, drummer Brian Allen died. In February 2016, Kevin Finn died after a brief illness.

The song "Hiroshima"

The band's song Hiroshima was originally released in 1971 but it was not until its second release in May 1978 that it gained recognition. Lou Reizner was producer of the single and album, and also provided the spoken text on the single. At various points in time it was released in the UK, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Denmark and Spain. It proved popular in continental Europe, staying 44 weeks in the German Top 40 Charts, and reaching a highest position of number 8 on 22 May 1978.
The song was written in 1969 by Dave Morgan who was a 1980s member of ELO - The Electric Light Orchestra.
The album of the same name was released in 1971 in the UK, Germany, Canada and the USA; as well as being re-released in Germany several times, including on CD in 1988. As at 2019, Sony Music in Germany have the distribution rights for the "Global Records and Tapes" and Ariola catalog.
In 1982, a German language cover version of Hiroshima was released by the rock band Puhdys from East Germany - DDR.
In 1990, German singer Sandra released the song, which did not chart in the United Kingdom, but charted at number four in Germany, Switzerland and Israel and at sixteen in France.

Television

16. April 2005, RTL, on the TV Program Die Ultimative Chartshow.

Professional Ratings

album rating of the 1971 album release of "Wishful Thinking" :

Discography

Albums