The Montanas

One of the more obscure bands that was part of the original '60s British Invasion movement, the Montanas are known primarily for their lone hit, "You've Got to Be Loved." The group originated in Birmingham in 1964 -- Bill Hayward, who'd previously played in other local bands like the Crossfires and the Connoisseurs, was the lead guitarist, Graham Crewe was the original drummer, and Ralph Oakley was the bassist, with John Jones as lead singer. The group had a very theatrical presentation, which included bits of comedy between the songs. The Montanas were managed by Roger Allen, who was able to get them a contract with Pye Records, which brought them under the wing of songwriters Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent. At the time, this probably seemed like a good move, and it was, as Hatch and Trent also wrote hits for Petula Clark (Hatch also produced Clark and the Searchers), who was a regular occupant of the top of the pop charts. The group also received a major boost in their musical resources in 1966 when Terry Rowley, the lead guitarist with the Mountain Kings, joined the Montanas. Rowley switched to keyboards in his new berth, but he was also a first-rate arranger and composer, and played a role within the Montanas similar to the one played by Paul Samwell-Smith in the Yardbirds. They had three songs, "Ciao Baby," "You've Got to Be Loved," and "Let's Get a Little Sentimental," that were favorites among reviewers, and got very heavy radio play, all without scoring any major chart action in England. Somehow, however, "You've Got to Be Loved" managed to make the American Top 50 -- but they lacked the resources to come to the United States to promote the record, and watched as it rose and fell from the sales listings, all under its own power. Jake Elcock, formerly of the...