Grapefruit

Biography

There are at least five bands with the name 'Grapefruit': a psychedelic rock band band from London (1), a punk band from Hawaii (2), a czech crossover band (3) and an anarcho-folk/punk duo from England (4) a electronic project in Portland, Oregon (5). (1) Grapefruit was a psychedelic rock band formed in 1967 by Scotland-born singer and guitarist George Alexander (b. Alexander Young), a member of the multi-talented Young family that also spawned his brothers George, the rhythm guitarist and fou...

There are at least five bands with the name 'Grapefruit': a psychedelic rock band band from London (1), a punk band from Hawaii (2), a czech crossover band (3) and an anarcho-folk/punk duo from England (4) a electronic project in Portland, Oregon (5).


(1) Grapefruit was a psychedelic rock band formed in 1967 by Scotland-born singer and guitarist George Alexander (b. Alexander Young), a member of the multi-talented Young family that also spawned his brothers George, the rhythm guitarist and founding member of The Easybeats and also Malcolm and Angus Young, both founding members of the Australian hard rock band, AC/DC. Alexander Young had chosen to remain in Britain when the rest of the Youngs emigrated to Australia.

Together with three former members of 'Tony Rivers & The Castaways' (namely John Perry, Geoff Swettenham and Pete Swettenham) Alexander formed 'The Grapefruit' (the band discarded the initial 'The' soon afterwards). Terry Doran, a friend of John Lennon, became their manager, seeing some commercial potential in them. Doran arranged for the band's music publishing rights (as songwriters) to be assigned to the publishing wing of The Beatles' new company Apple and they were the first writers to sign to the company, in early 1968.

Grapefruit's record career was launched in Spring 1968, albeit not on the Beatles' own Apple label, which opened for business a few months later, but on the UK Decca Records label. However, The Beatles continued to take some interest in Grapefruit, with John Lennon introducing the band to the media and inviting John Perry to join in on the recording of the hit single "Hey Jude".[1]

Grapefruit's recording career spanned only two years, from late 1967 to the end of 1969. They released two albums (Grapefruit in 1968, Around Grapefruit in 1969) and several of singles, none of which made a significant impact on the charts. Their best-known track is probably the Terry Melcher-produced "Dear Delilah", which was released in early 1968, but failed to enter the UK Top 20. Towards the end of their career, Grapefruit shifted from melodic pop to a more rough, blues-influenced style of music.

Grapefruit broke up in late 1969. Alexander remained in the music business as a session musician, while John Perry sung and played with artists including Cliff Richard and Bryn Haworth, before going solo in 1985.
For more information, check the official Grapefruit page
http://www.myspace.com/officialgrapefruit

(2) Grapefruit is a punk band from Hawaii.
For more information, check the official Grapefruit page http://www.myspace.com/grapefruit808

(3) Grapefruit is a czech crossover band from Stare Malenovice. Go check out their music webpage (in czech) at http://www.grapefruit.cz

(4) Grapefruit is a folk-punk band from England who play free shows and give away free music. http://myspace.com/grapefruitband

(5) is an electronic project in Portland, Oregon consisting of Charlie Salas-Hamara.
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