Jim McCarthy

Flowers In The Rain

In the pantheon of rock history - The Move have been overlooked but no longer. How do you describe The Move - one of the greatest British bands to come out the 1960s beat boom? Who incorporated the hippest, pop rock and mod soul influences. All in a unique dazzling fashion. Their residency at The Marquee in London's Soho. Marked them out immediately, as a formidable live outfit. Few (if any) bands on the fertile scene, could follow an incendiary Move set. They also had an emerging uber-talent in songwriter Roy Wood. A fast-developing songwriter. Wood under pressure, composed four top ten hits for the five-piece original band. And a later run of singles that charted until 1972. Like all great acts - the seeds of destruction may have been gestating from day one. Energy and talent was spread across the five charismatic, young men. An edgy, combustible combination. This overdue book examines their event-filled career including their crowning and most damning moment: Being sued by Harold Wilson; the extant British Prime Minister. 'Flowers In The Rain' sprouted all the way to the Number 2 spot in the charts. The catchy single, followed an edgy and careless publicity stunt by manager Tony Secunda. A limited-edition postcard - pushed through the door of Number 10 Downing Street. Depicting the PM with Marcia Falkender in an intimate moment. The "scandalous" image - brought the fury of the UK establishment down on The Move. Including surveillance by MI5, Britain's homeland Secret Intelligence Service Like The Sex Pistols furore, ten years later. The Move were punk forerunners in attitude and outrage. This book will examine in detail the High Court case. Plus, the machinations leading to Roy Wood losing all the royalties from the 'Flowers In The Rain' single. Along with Rob Caiger, the main archivist of The Move and their history, Jim McCarthy provides a detailed and illuminating reading experience.