The Joystrings

The Joy Strings
The Joy Strings
Origin	England, United Kingdom
Genres	Gospel;
Years active	1963–69
Website	joystrings.co.uk
Past members	Bill Davidson; Peter Dalziel; Joy Webb; Sylvia Gair; Wycliffe Noble; See members section for others

The Joystrings (originally credited as The Joy Strings) were a 1960s UK Christian music group led by classically trained keyboard player and singer , an officer (now retired) in the Salvation Army.

History[]

After appearing on Cliff Michelmore's BBC Tonight television show, they were given a recording contract by EMI Records. In 1964, they became the first Salvation Army pop group to achieve chart success with "It's An Open Secret" and "On A Starry Night". The main members through the years were Joy Webb (who wrote the group's first hit), Peter and Sylvia Dalziel, Bill Davidson, and Wycliffe Noble. The group had a number of other singers drawn, at intervals, from cadets at the William Booth Memorial Training College, Denmark Hill in London.

They also recorded a version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," using the music of The Animals' "The House of the Rising Sun" -- an unusual blending. ^[1]

In September 2013, 50 years after the Joystrings' formation, group member Sylvia Dalziel wrote about the group in a book published by Shield Books. The book included an introduction by General John Larsson, a tribute from Sir Cliff Richard, a full discography and many photographs never previously published.^[2]

Discography[]

^[3]

Singles[]

"It's An Open Secret" (1964) – UK Number 32^[4] (Regal Zonophone: RZ501)
"Million Songs" (1964)
"A Starry Night" (1964) – UK Number 34^[4]
"All Alone" (1965)
"The Only One" (1965)
"No Time To Lose"/"Love That's All Around" (Epic Records (USA): 5-10195)
"Christmas Can Be Every Day For You" (1966)

EPs[]

The Joy Strings (1964)
The Song Break (1964)
Joy Strings Abroad (1965)
Have Faith in God (1965)
Christmas with The Joy Strings (1965)

Albums[]

"Well Seasoned" (1966)Uk Regal Zonophone, LRZ4016 mono

SLRZ4016 stereo.

Well Seasoned (1966) EPIC Records, USA
Carols Around The World (1967)
Joystrings Restrung (2011)
Joystrings Christmas Collection (2012)

Bibliography[]

Gilliard, A.J. (1967). Joy and the Joystrings: The Salvation Army's 'Pop Group'. Lutterworth Press.

Joy Webb (2000). Bridge of Songs. The Salvation Army. ISBN 085412683X

Sylvia Dalziel (2013). The Joystrings. The Salvation Army. ISBN 0854129065

References[]

^ YouTube, "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
^ Dalziel, S. 2013 The Joystrings: The Story of the Salvation Army Pop Group, Shield Books, ISBN 978-0854129065 [1]
^ Track Listing at joystrings.co.uk
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 291. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

External links[]

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[1] YouTube, "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

[2] Dalziel, S. 2013 The Joystrings: The Story of the Salvation Army Pop Group, Shield Books, ISBN 978-0854129065 [1]

[3] Track Listing at joystrings.co.uk

[British_Hit_Singles_&_Albums-4] Jump up to: ^a ^b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 291. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

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