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The Troggs had a primitive rock and roll sound for the late 1960s; doubtless some of their numbers would have sounded right if played almost ten years earlier. Their strong Hampshire accents enhanced their rustic appeal and they were never overburdened with an expectation to be 'progressive' despite the era. They had started life as the Troglodytes, but after the loss of two members and gaining Britton and Staples from the remnant of a group called 'Ten Foot Five', they abbreviated to the Troggs. The group signed to the management of Larry Page who secured them an opportunity to record with CBS. Unfortunately, the resulting single - both sides of which had been written by Reg Ball- was largely ignored by record buyers. However, by then Page had started his new 'Page One' recording company and had secured distribution through Fontana. The group's next single 'Wild Thing' proved to be a refreshing contrast to the songs being produced by other bands of the time and it gave them their first hit going all the way to #2. The band then followed this with another Ball original, only by this time he had adopted the name Presley. Its sound contrasted well with their first hit and took them to #1, effectively consolidating their position as chartbreakers. A string of hits followed which further underpinned their songwriting skills, particularly those of Presley. |
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The EP shown on the left (POE001) is effectively one of a pair issued during 1967- more or less at the time that the format started to become unfashionable. Record buyers were beginning to buy far more LPs ("albums") as the 1960s decade neared its end, so these Troggs EPs are particularly nice things to see. |
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However, by 1968 the group's popularity had waned and though the flow of singles continued unabated the hits were absent. By the early 1970s the Troggs became subject to major personnel changes, but none improved their fortunes. They continued as a live act however, but as the 1970s drew to a close so too did the supply of 45s. |
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