Brotherhood of Man rose to fame in the 1970s with catchy melodies, polished vocals, and Eurovision glory. Known best for their 1976 international hit “Save Your Kisses for Me,” the British pop group enjoyed a string of chart-toppers in the UK and Europe. Their upbeat, harmony-rich sound earned comparisons to ABBA, though the group forged a distinct identity with their own flair.
While their lineup changed over time, their golden era produced multiple UK hits, television appearances, and a legacy that lives on in the nostalgia circuit. Here’s the story of how Brotherhood of Man went from studio project to chart-topping pop group.
| Group Name | Brotherhood of Man |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Formed | 1969 |
| Genres | Pop, Vocal, Easy Listening |
| Founder | Tony Hiller |
| Major Hits | “United We Stand”, “Save Your Kisses for Me”, “Angelo”, “Figaro”, “Oh Boy (The Mood I’m In)” |
| Labels | Deram, Pye, Dazzle, EMI |
| Eurovision Win | 1976 – “Save Your Kisses for Me” |
| Current Members (Classic Lineup) | Martin Lee, Lee Sheriden, Nicky Stevens, Sandra Stevens |
Formation and Early Years
Brotherhood of Man was formed in 1969 by British producer and songwriter Tony Hiller, who wanted to create a vocal pop group in the mold of the 5th Dimension or Mamas and the Papas. The original lineup included:
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Tony Burrows – session singer and former member of Edison Lighthouse
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John Goodison – Hiller’s songwriting partner
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Roger Greenaway – known for his work with Roger Cook
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Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie – established session singers (Sue and Sunny)
The group signed with Deram Records, a Decca subsidiary. Their debut single, “Love One Another,” failed to chart, but the follow-up “United We Stand” changed their fortunes.
Breakthrough: “United We Stand”
Released in 1970, “United We Stand” became a Top 10 hit in the UK (#10) and climbed to #13 in the U.S. The song’s message of unity and optimism resonated with audiences during a time of social unrest.
Their next single, “Where Are You Going to My Love,” also charted well:
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#22 UK
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#61 U.S. Hot 100
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#11 U.S. Adult Contemporary
It was later covered by several artists, including Olivia Newton-John and The Osmonds.
However, lineup instability soon followed. Burrows left and was replaced by American singer Hal Atkinson. Then Greenaway exited and was replaced by Russell Stone. Despite brief success, subsequent singles flopped, and Deram dropped the group.
A Fresh Start: New Lineup, New Sound
Rather than give up, Hiller rebooted the group in 1972 with a completely new lineup:
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Martin Lee – vocals
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Lee Sheriden – vocals, arrangements
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Nicky Stevens – vocals
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Sandra Stevens – vocals
This quartet became the classic and most successful Brotherhood of Man lineup.
They initially released “When Love Catches Up on You” in 1974, which went unnoticed. However, their 1975 single “Lady” found success in Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Then came the moment that transformed their career.
Eurovision Triumph: “Save Your Kisses for Me”
In 1976, Brotherhood of Man entered the Eurovision Song Contest with “Save Your Kisses for Me.” The upbeat love song, delivered with polished choreography and wholesome charm, won the contest, beating entries from 17 other countries.
It became a massive commercial hit:
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#1 UK (six weeks)
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#1 in many European countries
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#27 U.S. Billboard Hot 100
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#1 U.S. Adult Contemporary
It sold over six million copies worldwide, making it one of Eurovision’s biggest-selling singles ever.
The group’s album Love and Kisses from Brotherhood of Man also reached the UK Top 20. That same year, “Save Your Kisses for Me” earned three Ivor Novello Awards, including:
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Most Performed British Work
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Best-Selling British Record
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International Hit of the Year
Continued Success: More Chart Hits
Though often compared to ABBA, the band embraced the pop formula that worked. They followed their Eurovision success with a series of UK hits:
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“My Sweet Rosalie” – #30 UK (1976)
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“Oh Boy (The Mood I’m In)” – #8 UK (1977)
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“Angelo” – #1 UK (1977)
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“Figaro” – #1 UK (1978)
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“Beautiful Lover” – #15 UK (1978)
“Angelo” and “Figaro” each sold over 900,000 copies in the UK alone, cementing the group’s status as a pop powerhouse of the era.
Their vocal harmonies, wholesome image, and simple, melodic songwriting defined their peak years.
Late Career and Changes
Their final charting single was “Lightning Flash” (#67 UK). By this point, the group had transitioned from pop stardom to the cabaret and nostalgia circuit.
In later years, the classic four-member lineup reunited (without Hiller) and continued to perform at revival shows, Eurovision events, and UK summer festivals.
Legacy and Recognition
In 2006, Brotherhood of Man appeared at Eurovision’s 50th anniversary celebration, where “Save Your Kisses for Me” was voted the UK’s most popular Eurovision entry of all time.
The group may not have maintained international stardom, but they built a lasting legacy in British pop. Their music still features on retro playlists, TV compilations, and 1970s retrospectives.
Discography Highlights
Studio Albums (Selected):
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United We Stand (1970)
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Love and Kisses from Brotherhood of Man (1976)
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Images (1977)
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B for Brotherhood (1978)
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Higher Than High (1979)
Key Singles:
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“United We Stand” (1970)
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“Where Are You Going to My Love” (1970)
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“Save Your Kisses for Me” (1976)
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“Angelo” (1977)
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“Figaro” (1978)
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“Oh Boy (The Mood I’m In)” (1977)
Final Thoughts
Brotherhood of Man found the right combination of timing, talent, and tunes. From Eurovision champions to UK chart regulars, they made their mark with sweet harmonies and pop simplicity. While their sound may feel nostalgic today, it captured the hearts of millions in its time.
They continue to perform, bringing joy to audiences who remember an era when the biggest hits were sung in unison, in matching outfits, and with a smile.