Introduction to the Fortunes
The Fortunes are a British pop group, formed in Birmingham, England in 1963. Riding in the crest of the British Invasion, they scored their only major US hit “You’ve Got Your Troubles” in 1965. The best-known lineup consisted of Rod Allen (1944-2008), Glen Dale (born in 1943), Barry Pritchard (1944-1999), Andy Brown, (born in 1946) and David Carr (1943-2011) After the success of “You’ve Got Your Troubles” in 1965, the group were facing difficulties in following it up with another hit Stateside, especially with psychedelia sweeping over the in the late 1960s. After a series of flop singles, the Fortunes came back to the US Top 20 with “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again” in 1971. But after this, the band fell pretty much into the same predicament again, and they became contented with just performing for the oldies circuit.
From the Cliftones to the Fortunes
Beat pop group The Fortunes originated from Birmingham, England in 1963. They were originally a vocal trio caled the Cliftones, initially consisting of Rod Allen, Glen Dale and Barry Pritchard.
However, with the success of the Beatles and the popularity of the Merseyside sound, the group wanted to take that direction and decided to wield instruments. Allen began to play the bass, Dale and Pritchard picked up their guitars; plus, they recruited drummer Andy Brown, and keyboardist Dave Carr. They abandoned the Cliftones name and re-named themselves as The Fortunes. However, oddly enough, their first single “Summertime, Summertime” was credited to both Cliftones and Fortunes. The band’s follow-up single “Caroline,” found its way towards the famed pirate radio station Radio Caroline, which played the song as its theme tune.
From a vocal group to a “proper” pop band
Beat pop group The Fortunes originated from Birmingham, England in 1963. They were originally a vocal trio caled the Cliftones, initially consisting of Rod Allen, Glen Dale and Barry Pritchard.
However, with the success of the Beatles and the popularity of the Merseyside sound, the group wanted to take that direction and decided to wield instruments. Allen began to play the bass, Dale and Pritchard picked up their guitars; plus, they recruited drummer Andy Brown, and keyboardist Dave Carr. They abandoned the Cliftones name and re-named themselves as The Fortunes. However, oddly enough, their first single “Summertime, Summertime” was credited to both Cliftones and Fortunes. The band’s follow-up single “Caroline,” found its way towards the famed pirate radio station Radio Caroline, which played the song as its theme tune.
“You’ve Got Your Troubles” — The Fortunes’ biggest hit
After a couple of singles that failed to chart, in 1965 the Fortunes at last achieved a major hit with the Roger Greenaway-Roger Cook song “You’ve Got Your Troubles.” It became a hit not only in the UK (where it reached #2) but also in the US, where it peaked at #7.
“You’ve Got Your Troubles” was followed with “Here It Comes Again,” written by Barry Mason and Les Reed. It also became a Top 10 hit in the UK at #4 and a Top 40 US Billboard hit at #27. In 1966, another Greenaway-Cook composition “This Golden Ring” became another UK Top 20 hit. Although these became decent sellers, each sold less than the previous releases. Summer in that same year, Dale left the band to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Shell McCrae. Unfortunately for the Fortunes, psychedelia was becoming the rage at that time and the band was having a hard time fitting into the recent trend.
Bouncing back (of sorts)
In 1967 the band left Decca and signed for United Artists where they continued to wax out singles. Although they tried to get back by releasing singles such as “Fire Brigade,” the band still received little sales.
In 1971 the Fortunes signed with Capitol, where they still continued to release singles. They bounced back somewhat that same year through the single “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again,” which brought the band back into the Billboard Top 20 (at #15). It also reached the Billboard adult contemporary Top 10 (at #8).
Later career
Also in the early 1970s, Fortunes notched two straight UK top 10 hits: “Freedom Come, Freedom Go” (#6 UK, #72 US pop, #12 US adult contemporary) and “Storm in a Teacup” (#7 UK).
The Fortunes paid the bills around this time by recording Coca-Cola jingles in the States. These jingles include “Things Go Better with Coke” (1967) and the more popular “It’s The Real Thing.”
With the hits were now behind them, the Fortunes contented themselves in playing in the club and oldies circuit. Rod Allen continued to lead his ever-shifting group until his death in 2008. The latest incarnation of the Fortunes consists of new lead vocalist Eddie Mooney (formerly of the Dakotas), Michael Smithman, Paul Hooper, and Bob Jackson (keyboardist of Badfinger).