After Dinner Speakers: New Seekers, Frank Meeks, Christina Aguilera

The original New Seekers comprised ex-Nocturnes Eve Graham (b. 19 April 1943, Perth, Scotland; vocals), Sally Graham (vocals), Chris Barrington (bass, vocals), Laurie Heath (guitar, vocals), and Marty Kristian (b. 27 May 1947, Leipzig, Germany - a Latvian who had been raised in Australia; guitar, vocals). This line-up recorded only one album, The New Seekers, before Heath, Barrington and Sally Graham were replaced by Lyn Paul (b. 16 February 1949, Manchester, England; ex-Nocturnes), Peter Doyle (b. 28 July 1949, Melbourne, Australia), and Paul Layton (b. 4 August 1947, Beaconsfield, England). Ex-Seekers Keith Potger was originally a member of the group, but retreated to the less public role of manager. The male contingent played guitars in concert, but the act's main strengths were its interweaving vocal harmonies and a clean, winsome image. Their entertainments also embraced dance and comedy routines. Initially they appealed to US consumers who thrust a cover of Melanie's "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma" and "Beautiful People" - all unsuccessful in Britain - high up the Billboard Hot 100. A UK breakthrough came with "Never Ending Song Of Love" which reached number 2, and, even better, a re-write of a Coca-Cola commercial, "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony)", topping foreign charts too, and overtaking the Hillside Singers' original version in the USA. Their Eurovision Song Contest entry, "Beg Steal Or Borrow' and the title track of 1972"s Circles were also hits, but revivals of the Fleetwoods' "Come Softly To Me" and Eclection's "Nevertheless" were among 1973 singles whose modest Top 40 placings were hard-won, though the year ended well with another UK number 1 in "You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me". By 1974, Doyle had left the group and had been replaced by Peter Oliver (b. 15 January 1952, Southampton, England; guitar, vocals). He appeared on Together and Farewell Album. The next single "I Get A Little Sentimental Over You" hurtled up the charts in spring 1974, but the five disbanded with a farewell tour of Britain. However, two years later the lure of a CBS Records contract brought about a re-formation - minus Lyn Paul who had had a minor solo hit in 1975 with "It Oughta Sell A Million". Oliver had now been replaced by Danny Finn, but subsequent releases "It's So Nice (To Have You Home)", "I Wanna Go Back" and "Anthem (One Day In Every Week)" failed to re-establish the group as a major chart attraction, and they disbanded once more in 1978. After an initially successful solo career, Lyn Paul endured numerous personal and professional problems, and in 1994 declared herself bankrupt. A year later she was making a comeback, paired in cabaret at London's Café Royal with another former British pop star, Mike Berry. In October 1997, Paul's rehabilitation moved another significant step forward when she took over the leading role of Mrs. Johnstone in the West End production of Willy Russell's long-running musical, Blood Brothers.