Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Adam Faith was fascinating--a man who had several careers and never stopped trying something new. He passed away a few years ago. He also discovered and managed the career of Leo Sayer, and he produced Roger Daltrey's first solo album.

I recently read that he was touring South Africa--I think as early as 1964--and canceled the tour after seeing apartheid in action (blacks being beaten, arrested, not allowed to the concerts). So in this way, he was also one of the very first politically-charged rock stars.

I believe he was discovered at the legendary '2i's Coffee Bar' in Soho where he was in the resident band. This bar features heavily in the early history of UK rock and roll and many famous artistes were discovered or performed there. I think a book should be written on the subject! I seem to recall that this bar features in the early story of the Beatles but cannot remember the details.
Another interesting fact was that he was produced by John Barry who went on to write all the James Bond music.

From Rob

Some of his singles were produced by John Barry, though a lot think What Do You Want, his first number 1, which did owe a lot to Barry's production was his first release, it was in fact his fourth single and had it not been a hit there was a good chance the recording career would have been over.

You are correct Rob about the 2 I's, sure someone will have wrote a book, but can't think off top of my head.

Mark you are spot on too in your comments.

He also was partly responsible for discovering Sandie Shaw who had a lot of success in UK.

A lot has been made of his pronunciation of Baby (bye-bee) in What Do You Want. Any comments from UK members on why that was so different back then?

Faith got one of his first breaks in a short lived TV show called Drumbeat, one of the singers on that show was called Roy Young who to best of my knowledge had no success in his own right, most on the show were unknowns including Faith, story goes that it was Young who convinced Faith to do the Bay Bee bit convincing him it would have more effect.

He was right to some degree, John Barry produced that single but did not produce anymore for Faith. My earlier comment was inaccurate, I assumed he produced Poor me as well but I am wrong.


Bobby Vee actually covered What Do You Want but it was only released in US, may put up both versions if any interest.

Go Roy Go!

Yes, please, Sir.

In this song at least, Adam sounded like a carbon copy of Buddy Holly, which is where I'm sure he got his pronunciation of baby. Early Tommy Roe was another one who copied him to a T (Sheila, etc.). I have heard of him but could have never picked him out.

I have posted both Adam Faith's version of WDYW which made number 1 in UK in November 59 and Bobby Vee's version, recorded in January 1960.

This was in fact Bobby Vee's first solo release on Liberty, his first single was Suzie Baby credited to Bobby Vee and The Shadows which was issued on a small label.


Adam Faith's manager was astute enough to realise that when the beatgroup boom happened, Faith needed to change style, he was teamed up with a young group called The Roulettes, Russ Ballard was a member and together they made some fine singles, though the partnership did not last long, I suppose The Roulettes had aspirations of their own, they did release some singles and an Album but none were a success.

I have included 2 tracks which Faith recorded with them, both hits in UK and IMO are as good as any of the beat group sounds that were coming out in 64.
Click Here

Honestly speaking, i didn't really like the vocal style in either of the versions of "What do you want"... or maybe that's just the song? Faith's vocal style on other two songs (The first time and We are in love), however, sounds much better to my ear.
All imho.

48 Years on Sheena, they of course sound very dated, at 1 minute 38 seconds very short too.
But back in 1959 kids in UK were imitating the Bay Bee part.

I wouldn't say 1:38 is too short, i'd rather say 3:00 and more is a bit too long. And i actually didn't mean "dated", to me it rather sounds a bit too - hmmm - ceremonious, and i'd suggest it's not because the track is 48 years old, today's acts may sound that way too.

John Barry and Adam Faith released a number of cutting edge tunes and from the late 50s and early 60s perspective in Britain. I consider that "What Do You Want" is one of them. You have to love the pizzicato strings and the use of piano on this song as well.

The melody is certainly infectious and surely there must have been considerable discussion about "Bay Beh" and the whole idea of the cockney influence. How did the British teenagers like it is the big question and I suspect the answer is they loved it.

At the same time I also wonder if Barry and Faith received some criticism for what might be considered to be a "Buddy Holly for the British" presentation that shone through in a number of his tracks that I have heard.

Thanks for these songs, Roy. A book could certainly be written abut them.

Few entries but perhaps too hard, Mark,Brian and Peter of course managed to spot the singer in question was Adam Faith.

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