Description
Label Review.
After a lone single for Pye, he hit the top spot with his first of many 45s for Decca, 'Well I Ask You', which now appropriately lends its name to the first-ever compilation of Eden's entire recorded output. It was followed by three more Top 10 UK hits over the next year: 'Get Lost' (no. 10), 'Forget Me Not' (no. 3) and 'I Don't Know Why' (no. 7). In due course, Eden made seven singles, three EPs and an album for Decca before switching to Fontana Records in 1963. Again, the relationship yielded an album and seven singles (alongside an EP) but while Eden's music matured, he struggled to maintain the same level of chart success as before. In addition to all of Eden's Pye, Decca and Fontana recordings, this new 2-CD set also boasts his rarest offerings which followed, from three elusive singles only available in Australia/New Zealand to an obscure Bell 45 from 1970. RPM.
Our Overview.
Eden Kane was one of England's pre-Beatles teen idols, part of the same wave of youthful pop/rockers that produced John Leyton, Adam Faith, et al. His main impact on music was confined to the early '60s, although he was popular enough to have enjoyed 40 years in the music business.
Eden Kane was born Richard Graham Sarstedt in New Delhi, India in 1942. In March of 1954, the family moved to England.Eden realised early on that he had a special talent since the Sarstedt's had long been a musical family.When Eden first picked up a guitar that a friend had brought to school, he was hooked, especially when he saw Bill Haley live on stage in Croydon. Little did Eden know, he was watching the north of something he could relate to....Rock and Roll music.
He formed a skiffle group which included his younger brothers Peter and Clive. They called themselves "The Fabulous 5" and played in coffee bars and youth clubs around London. The stage was set for Eden and his brothers to enthusiastically launch themselves onto the music scene. In 1961, Eden entered a talent contest staged at the Classic Cinema on Kings Road in Chelsea. In the audience was a Record Producer, Phillip Waddilove, who realised Eden's potential and immediately called his business partner, Michael Barclay, who then became Eden's managers. Eden won the contest and things were looking up! The prize for the contest was a contract to promote Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate. With this win, his first recording was sponsored by Cadbury's Chocolate and the song was called "Hot Chocolate Crazy", an advertising jingle used on Radio Luxembourg, which Richard wrote. With it went the title "Chocolate Time Troubadour."
As soon as Decca Records heard this song, they moved in with an offer for a record deal. The first move was a chance of stage name for Richard. "Eden" came about because of it's biblical reference, and "Kane" because of Citizen Kane was Michael Barclay's favorite film. Then came the image....the immaculate white suit!
Success was instantaneous! The first Eden Kane single for Decca "Well I Ask You" quickly climbed to the number 1 slot on the 1961 charts. Then came a string of hits the made it to the Top-5 such as "Get Lost". "Forget me Not", "I Don't Know Why", and "Boys' Cry", to name a few. Over a relatively shirt period of three years, Eden Kane records were featured on the charts for no less the 74 weeks. Eden's brother's, Peter and Clive became involved in the band. Peter was the road manager at first and then the bass player, Clive (aka Robin) was to join in on guitar. Along with his chart success came concert tout offers from promoters, such as Larry Parnes and Arthur Howe. They saw Eden performing along side Cliff Richard, Billy Fury, Joe Brown, Helen Shapiro, Marty Wilde, John Leyton, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Animals and Dusty Springfield just to name a few. He did a few tours in Australia and New Zealand with some of the greats, Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, The Searchers, Peter & Gordon and PJ Proby.
In 1972, the three Sarstedt brothers reunited for their album "World's Apart Together", under the management of their sister Lorraine (and David Joseph). On June 20th 1973, the brothers made their first joint appearance as a group at Croydon's Fairfield Halls.
Eden, Peter and Robin went on to win a joint BASCA Award for composing and songwriting. Eden Kane has since recorded for Bell, Monarch, HMV and Festival (the last two being Australian releases). He has also occasionally joined "oldies" tours in the UK with Marty Wilde, John Leyton, Brian Hyland and others, notably as part of the "Solid Gold Rock and Roll" tour.
In addition to all of Eden's Pye, Decca and Fontana recordings, this new 2-CD set also boasts his rarest offerings which followed, from three elusive singles only available in Australia/New Zealand to an obscure Bell 45 from 1970. Many of the tracks are here as the first time on CD, also another rarity many in true stereo. Compiled and curated with the full cooperation of Eden Kane, Well I Ask You pays due respect to an artist who still tours to this day.