Summary
The Joystrings (originally credited as The Joy Strings) were a 1960s British Christian music group led by classically trained keyboard player and singer Joy Webb, who was an officer in the Salvation Army.[1]
The Joystrings | |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1963–1969 |
| Past members |
|
| Website | https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk |
History edit
After appearing on Cliff Michelmore's BBC Tonight television show, they were given a recording contract by EMI Records.[1] In 1964, they became the first Salvation Army pop group to achieve chart success with "It's An Open Secret" and "A Starry Night".[1] The main members through the years were Joy Webb (who wrote the group's first hit), Peter and Sylvia Dalziel, Bill Davidson, and Wycliffe Noble. The group had a number of other singers drawn, at intervals, from cadets at the William Booth Memorial Training College, Denmark Hill in London.
They also recorded a version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," using the music of The Animals' "The House of the Rising Sun" - an unusual blending.[2]
In September 2013, 50 years after the Joystrings' formation, group member Sylvia Dalziel published her memoir, The Joystrings: The Story of the Salvation Army Pop Group.[3]
Wycliffe Noble died on 1 April 2017, at the age of 91.[4] Joy Webb died on 1 October 2023, at the age of 91.[5]
Discography edit
Singles edit
- "It's An Open Secret" (1964) – UK Number 32[6] (Regal Zonophone: RZ501)
- "Million Songs" (1964)
- "A Starry Night" (1964) – UK Number 34[6]
- "All Alone" (1965)
- "The Only One" (1965)
- "No Time To Lose"/"Love That's All Around" (Epic Records (USA): 5-10195)
- "Christmas Can Be Every Day For You" (1966)
EPs edit
- The Joy Strings (1964)
- Have Faith in God (1965)
- Christmas with The Joy Strings (1965)
- Joy Strings abroad (1966)
- The song break (1967)
Albums edit
- Well Seasoned (1966) Regal Zonophone, LRZ4016 mono; SLRZ4016 stereo, UK
- Well Seasoned (1966) EPIC Records, US
- Carols Around The World (1967)
- Joystrings Restrung (2011)
- Joystrings Christmas Collection (2012)[7]
Bibliography edit
- Gilliard, A.J. (1967). Joy and the Joystrings: The Salvation Army's 'Pop Group'. Lutterworth Press.
- Joy Webb (2000). Bridge of Songs. The Salvation Army. ISBN 085412683X
- Sylvia Dalziel (2013). The Joystrings. The Salvation Army. ISBN 0854129065
References edit
- ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1329. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
- ^ YouTube, "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
- ^ Dalziel, S. 2013 The Joystrings: The Story of the Salvation Army Pop Group, Shield Books, ISBN 978-0854129065 [1]
- ^ "Obituary: Salvation Army drummer was part of one of Britain's first Christian pop groups". The Salvation Army. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Promoted to Glory: Major Joy Webb (OF)". Southern Spirit Online. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 291. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ [2] [dead link]
External links edit
- Rhythm Finds Its Groove: History of the Joystrings
- Joystrings tribute site
- Page at Cross Rhythms
- "The Joystrings" at 1960s Christian Music
- Pathé News report of the Joystrings performing "It's an Open Secret"