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Thunderthighs

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This article is about a singing trio. For an album by Kimya Dawson, see Thunder Thighs.

Thunderthighs
OriginUnited Kingdom
Years active1973 (1973)–1977 (1977)
Past members
  • Karen Friedman
  • Dari Lalou
  • Casey Synge

Thunderthighs (also known as "Thunder Thighs") were a British backing vocal group, who released records in their own right.

Career

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The female trio, consisting of Karen Friedman, Dari Lalou (American) and Casey Synge,[1] provided the backing vocals to Lou Reed's hit single, "Walk on the Wild Side" (from his 1972 Transformer album) which became a top 10 hit in the UK.[2][3][4] It was around this vocal arrangement that singer-songwriter Lynsey de Paul wrote their first single, "Central Park Arrest", which reached number 30 in the UK Singles Chart in 1974.[5][6] It also reached number 3 on the Radio Northsea Toppers 20,[7] number 5 on the Swedish Poporama singles chart,[8] number 24 on London's Capital Radio chart and number 25 on the Radio Luxembourg top thirty.[9] The single received critical acclaim, being listed in the New Musical Express as one of the best singles released in 1974 in the End of Year Critic List.[10] De Paul recorded her own version of the song which was released as the B-side to her hit single "No, Honestly (song)" later that year.[11] Dari Lallou performed all the speaking parts throughout the song, including "Book him" at the end, misheard at the time as being a similar sounding profanity and getting the record temporarily banned by the BBC, until it was re-voiced.[12]

Further singles followed such as "Dracula's Daughter" (1974) (produced by Steve Rowland)[13] that received a glowing review from Record and Popswop Mirror[14] and reached number 16 on the Swedish Poporama single chart.[8] The song was also included on the 1975 compilation album, Ripper! 20 Original Smash Hits.[15] The trio changed label to EMI for their next single release "Stand Up and Cheer"[16] and the Blue Inc label for their final single release "Loving You Ain't Easy", co-written by Dari Lallou Wynne.[17][18] According to an interview with Karen Friedman, the trio also released "They'd Rather Be Making Money Than Making Love", another de Paul composed song, as a single in 1976.[19]

An album was recorded, but was shelved at the time since further hits were not forthcoming, although it is now available at BR Music and on iTunes.[20] The track listing is:-

  1. "Central Park Arrest"
  2. "Bronze Beach Hero"
  3. "Dracula's Daughter"
  4. "Great Male Robbery"
  5. "Lady"
  6. "Loving You Ain't Easy"
  7. "Sally Wants a Red Dress"
  8. "Shine Your Light on Me"
  9. "So Fine"
  10. "We've Got a Good Thing Going"
  11. "Shake Sheik Shake"

They were, however, in demand and provided backing vocals for Mott the Hoople on the single version of their hit, "Roll Away the Stone" (although de Paul delivered the spoken bridge on the later The Hoople album version), and their 1974 single Foxy, Foxy. Thunderthighs had already appeared on Mott the Hoople's earlier 1973 album, Mott, on the track "Hymn for the Dudes". They provided backing vocals for Elkie Brooks on two tracks on the 1975 original studio cast compilation album, Flash Fearless Versus The Zorg Women Parts 5 & 6.[21][22] They also provided backing vocals for Maggie Bell on her 1974 U.S. tour[23] that garnered positive reviews for Bell and for them.[24][25] In 1981, they provided the backing vocals on "Solid Gold Easy Action", a cover version of the Marc Bolan song recorded and released by the group Department S.[26]

In addition, Thunderthighs provided vocals for the following albums:[27]

Singles

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  • "Central Park Arrest" (June 1974) – Philips 6006 386 – UK Singles Chart – Number 30[5]
  • "Dracula's Daughter" (November 1974) – Philips 6006 413
  • "Stand Up and Cheer" (1975) – EMI
  • "Loving You Ain't Easy" (1981) – Blue Inc[28][29]

References

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  1. ^ Thunderthighs discography at Discogs
  2. ^ Bradford Brady and John Maron (30 April 2010). "Who sang backup on Lou Reed song?". Lewiston Tribune.
  3. ^ "Lou Reed: 'Working with him was joyous and delightful'". BBC News. 27 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 559. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. ^ "Thunderthighs". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
  7. ^ "Radio Northsea Toppers 20 – 1974 – Hitnoteringen". Hitnoteringen.nl. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  8. ^ a b Stefan Heiding: Poporama – Heta högen (1992) ISBN 91-971894-1-3
  9. ^ "Radio Luxembourg Top 20 / 30 / 40 – 1974 - Hitnoteringen". Archived from the original on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Rocklist.net...NME End of Year Lists 1974". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. 9 May 1992. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Lynsey De Paul - No Honestly". Discogs.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Central Park Arrest / Sally Wants a Red Dress by Thunderthighs". Rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  13. ^ "70s invasion; THUNDERTHIGHS". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  14. ^ Record review, 28/9/74. Record and Popswop Mirror
  15. ^ "Various - Ripper! 20 Original Smash Hits". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  16. ^ "Thunder Thighs – Stand Up And Cheer / I'm Free – EMI – UK – EMI 2276". 45cat.com. 21 March 1975. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  17. ^ "Thunderthighs – Loving You Ain't Easy / Shine A Light on Me – Blue Inc – UK – INC 12". 45cat.com. 13 March 1981. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  18. ^ "Thunder Thighs - Loving You Ain't Easy". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  19. ^ Billboard, 24 July 1976, p. 73
  20. ^ "Thunder Thighs – Original Masters – BR Music". Brmusic.nl. 1 January 1983. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  21. ^ "Various – Flash Fearless Versus The Zorg Women Parts 5 & 6 (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. 31 December 1974. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  22. ^ RPM Magazine, 31 May 1975, p. 18
  23. ^ Billboard, 2 March 1974, p. 50
  24. ^ Billboard, 16 March 1974, p. 22
  25. ^ Cash Box, 16 March 1974, p. 46
  26. ^ "LTM Recordings". Ltmrecordings.com. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Thunderthighs | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  28. ^ "Thunder Thighs* - Loving You Ain't Easy". Discogs.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  29. ^ "Thunderthighs - Loving You Ain't Easy". 45cat.com. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
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