Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was thinking about how Chris Curtis formed Roundabout, only to flee the scene before anything came of it. The question is, what would have come of it?

We know that John Lord and Ritchie Blackmore went on to form Deep Purple, but would Roundabout have gone in such a musical direction? I don't think so. The family tree in the 30th Anniversary Collection calls Roundabout "a pop group," which suggests as much. I can't imagine that Roundabout would have rocked any harder than The Searchers. Chris could certainly rock out when he wanted to, but I think he felt more at home with more pop-oriented material. Look at his choices of songs for The Searchers, and the way he often sang in a more mellowed tone than the others. Plus, his version of "Aggravation," which came out shortly before Roundabout was formed, was in a decidedly "catchy pop" vein. Also, Tony Jackson told our robdave that Chris wanted The Searchers to be less rock-oriented.

continued.......

In the vast musical landscape of the late '60s, so many artists were experimenting with different types of music....I think, then, that it would have been really wild if Roundabout had done some work in the art-rock vein, or perhaps some rock with psychedelic touches. ("3.30" by Unit 4+2 is an example of what I'm thinking of, but I fear that not too many of us are familiar with that one!) Chris' voice would certainly have fit in with the more creative side of late '60s pop.

Whatever might have been, the fact that Chris formed a new group only to leave it before making any records is symbolic of what I believe was an internal conflict that developed during his time with The Searchers: one the one hand, he wanted to continue with his music, but on the other, the music business proved too much for him to handle.

What do you think?

S.J. I believe that Chris Curtis is a fine talent but concur with your characterization that there was much conflict for him during those days. I wish he would visit this Forum occasionally and add his comments about the "early days." Chis did a fine job expressing his emotions through his music and widh he would have continued. Having said that, it would seem that he had his fair share of disagreements with other group memebers which ultimately had him leaving. From what I read in Frank Allen's book, the Australian tour took its toll on everyone.

Any corrolation between Chris Curtis's group Roundabout and the song "Roundabout" by the group Yes?

Ed: There is no connection that I have been able to establish.

Another interesting point about Roundabout that I just learned from Michael Denger, is that Chris Curtis planned to be the lead singer and not the drummer for this group.

Peter: Really? Was he going to play any instruments at all? It's just so hard to imagine Chris just singing. I suppose, then, that he was going to build the group around his vocals instead of making it more of an ensemble-type affair. Another thing to consider when thinking about the style this group would have had.

Not really. In his interview Chris mentioned that he never sang lead on a single, because it didn't occur to him to "front" and the label/ management didn't want him to. But he also said re:Pete Best that he considered inviting him to be the Searchers' drummer, and playing guitar. He also, at some point recalled that "Noone Else Could Love Me" wasn't an 'A' side because he wasn't allowed to sing lead(I guess) in public. I have a hunch the idea came to him earlier than we think.

Yes his decision to venture out may have been simmering for a while. There was much conflict and perhaps jealousy that we haven't heard about. Chris was very determined in his approach, however, was unable to stay the course during the Australian tour. Had he lasted in OZ, he may not have left so soon.

Has anyone ever had the opportunity to talk to
John Lord and/or Ritchie Blackmore About Chris Curtis and his involvement with Roudabout? Just wondering?

Here are the members of Roundabout:
Chris Curtis: voc
Bobby Woodman: drums
Nick Simper: bass
John Lord: keyb
Ritchie Blackmore: g

It is only accidently that Chris' replacement was another Curtis - his first name was Dave.