City Boy

English rock band from Birmingham in the late 1970s and the beginning of the 80s.

Some say they were moderately successful. Their most popular songs were '5705' and 'The Day The Earth Caught Fire'.

In the early 1970s Lol Mason, Steve Broughton, Max Thomas and Chris Dunn were playing folk music in the Birmingham area. They toured the clubs of the Midlands until, towards the end of 1975, they decided to turn professional. Meanwhile Broughton had begun to write songs. They were offered a recording contract by Phonogram Records on condition that they change their name (they were called "Back In the Band") and add drums and electric guitar. This prompted them to recruit Roger Kent and Mike Slamer.

Their first albums were City Boy (1975) and Dinner At The Ritz (1976). It was not until 1978, that they had their first hit with the song '5705'. The single reached the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart.

Most of City Boy's albums were labelled and distributed by Vertigo Records, also known as PolyGram and Polydor.

Unable to secure a contract with any of the major companies, the band split up in 1982. Lol Mason formed The Maisonettes in 1982.

In the Philippines, the group was briefly popular for another song, "Speechless", the track from the band that played there. In 2000, Jorn Lande covered "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" with Ronni Le Tekro on guitar and Sid Ringsby on bass.

In August 2008, several City Boy albums, Book Early, Young Men Gone West, Dinner at the Ritz and the band's self-titled debut, were reissued.

Also see company profile City Boy (4)