Billy Nicholls

While still in his teens, Billy Nicholls recorded one of the more sought-after rarities of British psychedelic pop, "Would You Believe." Nicholls was one of the most Beach Boys-influenced British singer/songwriters, and "Would You Believe" often recalled the Pet Sounds/SMiLE period in its melodic construction and ornate production. The album understandably betrayed greater traces of late-'60s British psychedelia than the Beach Boys' efforts did, and it would be foolish to put Nicholls on the same level as Brian Wilson, as "Would You Believe" ultimately displayed more promise than pure genius. Nonetheless, that promise was considerable, and it is a shame that the album was essentially unreleased after it was finished in 1968 (although a few dozen promotional copies went out). This short-circuited Nicholls' career, and although he did some recording in later years, he's mostly known by mainstream rock fans (if at all) for his peripheral role in some group and individual member projects by the Who. Nicholls was only 16 in 1966 when he worked up the nerve to ask George Harrison for help in getting his songs heard and recorded. After some demos for Beatles publisher Dick James, Nicholls came to the attention of Rolling Stones manager Andrew Oldham, then starting his progressive but short-lived Immediate label. Nicholls was hired as a staff songwriter for Immediate, and wrote songs for fellow Immediate act Del Shannon; the Nicholls compositions "Led Along, " "Cut and Come Again, " and "Friendly with You, " none of which were on Nicholls' own album, were all recorded by Shannon in February 1967. Nicholls soon became a recording artist for the label as well, putting out the "Would You Believe"/"Daytime Girl" single in January 1968. This was a collision of Los Angeles sunshine...