Paper Lace

Paper Lace earned a reputation as a quintessential one-hit wonder act on American shores, whereas British audiences encountered them as a two-hit phenomenon. The ensemble came together in Nottingham, England, during 1969, its lineup consisting of Michael Vaughn, Chris Morris, Carlo Santanna, Cliff Fish, and Phillip Wright. Like countless other English pop groups of the era, the band pursued mainstream success through an endless circuit of modest club dates and fleeting television spots. Their pivotal opportunity arrived in 1974 when their recording of the sentimental bubblegum number “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero” captured first place on the ITV talent program Opportunity Knocks. That track propelled them to the summit of the U.K. singles chart, although Bo Donaldson & the Haywoods’ rendition claimed the American market. Their follow-up release, “The Night Chicago Died,” ascended to the top position on U.S. charts while reaching number three in Britain, after which the group’s momentum evaporated. Two long-playing collections appeared—Paper Lace and Other Bits of Material in 1974 and First Edition in 1975—before the act receded from widespread attention. A momentary resurgence occurred in 1978 when they collaborated with Nottingham Forest FC on a communal rendition of “We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands,” only to vanish once more.