Thunderthighs | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Years active | 1973 (1973)–1977 (1977) |
| Past members |
|
Thunderthighs (also known as "Thunder Thighs") were a British backing vocal group, who released records in their own right.
The femaletrio, consisting of Karen Friedman, Dari Lalou (American) and Casey Synge,[1] provided the backing vocals toLou Reed'shit single, "Walk on the Wild Side" (from his 1972Transformer album) which became a top 10 hit in the UK.[2][3][4] It was around this vocal arrangement that singer-songwriterLynsey de Paul wrote their first single, "Central Park Arrest", which reached number 30 in theUK Singles Chart in 1974.[5][6] It also reached number 3 on the Radio Northsea Toppers 20,[7] number 5 on the SwedishPoporama singles chart,[8] number 24 on London'sCapital Radio chart and number 25 on theRadio Luxembourg top thirty.[9] The single received critical acclaim, being listed in theNew Musical Express as one of the best singles released in 1974 in the End of Year Critic List.[10] De Paul recorded her own version of the song which was released as the B-side to her hit single "No, Honestly (song)" later that year.[11] Dari Lallou performed all the speaking parts throughout the song, including "Book him" at the end, misheard at the time as being a similar sounding profanity and getting the record temporarily banned by the BBC, until it was re-voiced.[12]
Further singles followed such as "Dracula's Daughter" (1974) (produced bySteve Rowland)[13] that received a glowing review fromRecord and Popswop Mirror[14] and reached number 16 on the SwedishPoporama single chart.[8] The song was also included on the 1975 compilation album,Ripper! 20 Original Smash Hits.[15] The trio changed label to EMI for their next single release "Stand Up and Cheer"[16] and the Blue Inc label for their final single release "Loving You Ain't Easy", co-written by Dari Lallou Wynne.[17][18] According to an interview with Karen Friedman, the trio also released "They'd Rather Be Making Money Than Making Love", another de Paul composed song, as a single in 1976.[19]
An album wasrecorded, but was shelved at the time since further hits were not forthcoming, although it is now available at BR Music and on iTunes.[20] The track listing is:-
They were, however, in demand and provided backing vocals forMott the Hoople on the single version of their hit, "Roll Away the Stone" (although de Paul delivered thespokenbridge on the laterThe Hoople album version), and their 1974 singleFoxy, Foxy. Thunderthighs had already appeared on Mott the Hoople's earlier 1973 album,Mott, on the track "Hymn for the Dudes". They provided backing vocals forElkie Brooks on two tracks on the 1975 original studio cast compilation album,Flash Fearless Versus The Zorg Women Parts 5 & 6.[21][22] They also provided backing vocals forMaggie Bell on her 1974 U.S. tour[23] that garnered positive reviews for Bell and for them.[24][25] In 1981, they provided the backing vocals on "Solid Gold Easy Action", a cover version of theMarc Bolan song recorded and released by the groupDepartment S.[26]
In addition, Thunderthighs provided vocals for the following albums:[27]
