Biography
Before the wave of pop duos such as Simon & Garfunkel, Brewer & Shipley, and Seals & Crofts, songwriters, guitarists, and vocalists Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle had already formed their own partnership. Early notice came through their material for Dean Ford & the Gaylords’ single “Mr. Heartbreak’s Here Instead,” after which the pair began recording both as a duo and as members of McGuinness Flint and Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance. While serving as staff songwriters for the Beatles’ Apple label they supplied Mary Hopkin with “Sparrow” and “International.” The title track from their sixth duo album, Breakaway, later received a cover by Art Garfunkel.
Gallagher and Lyle first performed together in Largs, a small town near Glasgow in Ayrshire, Scotland. After moving to London in 1967 they became full-time writers at Apple. Three years later they teamed with Tom McGuinness and Hughie Flint to create McGuinness Flint. Although the band scored hits with “When I’m Dead and Gone” and “Malt and Barley Blues,” it disbanded in 1971. Their self-titled debut duo album appeared on Capitol; by their next project they had moved to A&M, whose initial release was simply a reissue of that Capitol record.
During spring 1974 the pair joined Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance and stayed until May. While working with the band they also completed the duo albums How Come and The Last Cowboy. After the group dissolved they kept issuing records under their own name: Breakaway in 1975, Love on the Airwaves in 1977, and Showdown in 1978. They switched to Phonogram for their last album, Lonesome No More, recorded in 1979. Once the supporting tour ended, Gallagher and Lyle parted company. Lyle went on to collaborate with Terry Britten, most notably on “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” which became a hit for Tina Turner, and “Just Good Friends,” recorded by Michael Jackson.
Gallagher and Lyle first performed together in Largs, a small town near Glasgow in Ayrshire, Scotland. After moving to London in 1967 they became full-time writers at Apple. Three years later they teamed with Tom McGuinness and Hughie Flint to create McGuinness Flint. Although the band scored hits with “When I’m Dead and Gone” and “Malt and Barley Blues,” it disbanded in 1971. Their self-titled debut duo album appeared on Capitol; by their next project they had moved to A&M, whose initial release was simply a reissue of that Capitol record.
During spring 1974 the pair joined Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance and stayed until May. While working with the band they also completed the duo albums How Come and The Last Cowboy. After the group dissolved they kept issuing records under their own name: Breakaway in 1975, Love on the Airwaves in 1977, and Showdown in 1978. They switched to Phonogram for their last album, Lonesome No More, recorded in 1979. Once the supporting tour ended, Gallagher and Lyle parted company. Lyle went on to collaborate with Terry Britten, most notably on “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” which became a hit for Tina Turner, and “Just Good Friends,” recorded by Michael Jackson.
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