Nickelodeon

Though originally written by Richard Hudson and John Ford as The Brothers, the hit single “Part of the Union” b/w “Will You Go” was released by the Strawbs in 1973. Following a US tour to support the Bursting At The Seams album, the duo split from the Strawbs and signed to A&M Records, with Hudson switching to guitar. Another UK Top 10 hit, “Pick Up the Pieces” b/w “This is Not the Way (To End a War or to Die)” reached No. 8 in August. Their debut album, Nickelodeon, was recorded with session musicians, including Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, former Fotheringay drummer Gerry Conway, and Strawbs’ producer Tom Allom. It’s a mix of mostly feel-good pop tunes à la Badfinger, along with a few progressive gems, such as the brief acoustic folk of “Tea Leaf (For Joss)” and “Solitude,” and the slightly epic reprise of “Revelations.” Foremost, the album is a showcase of the songwriting talents of Hudson Ford. Early 1974 saw another hit, “Burn Baby Burn” b/w “Angels,” reach the UK No. 15. Subsequent albums didn’t change their fortunes much, including a switch to the CBS label, and by the end of the decade the band had run its course. Hudson and Ford then teamed with future Strawbs guitarist Brian Willoughby, rebranded themselves as a punk band, The Monks, and had a fluke hit with the single “Nice Legs Shame about Her Face” b/w “You’ll Be the Death of Me” in 1979. The follow-up, “Johnny B. Rotten” b/w “Drugs in My Pocket,” didn’t (surprise, surprise), and by the early 80s the band relocated to Canada where they enjoyed moderate success.