Whoever books the talent for the Jimmy Fallon show didn’t do his or her research. The non-original Little River Band has been booked on the show to celebrate 40 years of a band that hasn’t had an original member in decades.
The last man out of the original line-up was drummer Derek Pellicci in 1997. Current owner of the name Steve Housden joined in 1981.
Under Housden’s command Little River Band have not had a hit album or single except for his co-write with Graeham Goble of Little River Band’s last hit song was 1988’s ‘Love Is A Bridge’ sung by founding member Glenn Shorrock and featuring founders Goble and Derek Pellicci still in the band.
Little River Band has never had a hit record without a founding member.
Jimmy Fallon has basically booked a “covers” band to come on and talk and play about a history they were not part of for January 12.
The original Little River Band, featuring Glenn Shorrock, Graeham Goble, Beeb Birtles, Derek Pellicci. Ric Formosa and David Briggs are inductees of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.
The founding members of Little River Band had bonafide Top 40 hits in America with ‘It’s a Long Way There’, ‘Help Is On Its Way’, ‘Happy Anniversary’, ‘Reminiscing’, ‘Lady’, ‘Lonesome Loser’, ‘Cool Change’, ‘The Night Owls’, ‘Take It Easy On Me’, ‘Man On Your Mind’, ‘The Other Guy’, ‘We Two’.
In the late 70s, early 80s, the original Little River Band rivalled the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac in the USA. Nelson’s current line-up had nothing to do with the legacy.
‘Night Owls’ (sung by Wayne Nelson) was written by Goble.
There are no Australian based members in the current line-up of LRB and have not been since Derek Pellicci left. It is true that Stephen Housden legally owns the name and has done everything he can legally do to stop the founding members referring to their legacy. The fact is Wayne Nelson may own a brand name but he will never own the heritage of Little River Band.
Jimmy Fallon will be showcasing a line-up that has never had a hit but legally owns a brand name. That is pretty poor programming Jimmy Fallon.
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