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Splinter at the Theatre des Champs Elysees in Paris November 1977 Photo : Jean Helfer

Splinter was an English two-man vocal group from South Shields, England, consisting of Bill Elliott (William Elliott) and Bobby Purvis (Robert J Purvis), who formed in the early 1970s.

They were connected with ex-Beatle George Harrison, and had groups of instrumentalists to back them on each album. Splinter was the first act signed to Harrison's Dark Horse Records label, when it was partnered with A&M Records. The band's sound has often been likened to that of The Beatles (particularly George Harrison and John Lennon) and Badfinger. The duo's biggest success came with their debut album, the critically admired The Place I Love (1974), which contained the hit single "Costafine Town". All of their albums have been remastered and reissued on compact disc on the Big Pink Music label from South Korea and Britain’s Grey Scale label.

Elliott died on 7 June 2021 following a sudden illness. According to the Legacy Project website: "He was always 100% supportive of the Legacy Project and we will continue to move this forward as planned. The next album Splinter Live In England will be released in the near future, and it displays Billy and Bobby as they were never intended to be heard on record."

History

[edit]

Making their debut album

[edit]

Splinter, who had worked together at various times in the Newcastle and London music scenes, first came to the attention of Harrison through Mal Evans, a longtime assistant to The Beatles and latterly a scout for Apple Records.[1][2] Harrison was impressed with one of their songs, "Lonely Man", which he felt would be ideal for a film he was producing, based on the stage play Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs. Harrison and his then bride of two weeks Patti Boyd attended the play's opening in 1966.[2][3]

Harrison initially intended to sign Splinter to Apple Records and held sessions at Apple Studio in central London to work on the song;[4] Harrison associate Pete Ham (of Badfinger) also participated in these sessions, held in mid-1973.[5] Plans were made for "Lonely Man" to be released as an Apple single and Splinter were shown performing the piece in the Apple film. In 1971, Bill Elliot was featured on an Apple single (#1835) "God Save Us" b/w "Do the Oz" both written by Lennon/Ono and under the moniker of "Bill Elliot and The Plastic Oz Band" on the A side. The B side was credited to the "Elastic Oz Band". Elliot was also featured on the 45rpm picture sleeve.

But, as Apple fell apart, Harrison decided to establish his own record label, setting up offices in London on Royal Avenue and in Los Angeles. Once Harrison heard more Splinter material, he invited them to record an album.[1][6] Work on this spanned 17 months, with the majority of the sessions taking place at Harrison's Friar Park studio, FPSHOT.[4] Also during this period, Purvis and Elliot co-wrote the song "Kyle" with Gary Wright, another friend of Harrison's who contributed to the lengthy sessions for Splinter's album.[7] ("Kyle" appeared on the 1974 Spooky Tooth album The Mirror.)

On their Dark Horse Records debut album, The Place I Love, Harrison produced all the songs and played a variety of instruments, including electric and acoustic guitars, dobro, bass guitar and harmonium.[8][9] As well as Wright, other musicians included Alvin Lee, Billy Preston, Jim Keltner, Klaus Voormann, Willie Weeks and Mel Collins.[8] The album was so heavy with George Harrison's participation that it was rumoured that this was secretly Harrison's new band.

Most of the songs were written by Purvis, with Elliott co-writing lyrics on "China Light" and "Costafine Town".[10] "Costafine Town" was an international hit single, reaching the top ten in Australia[8] and South Africa, and the top 20 in the United Kingdom.[11] Both this single and the album also charted on the Billboard charts in the United States.[12] The follow-up single, "Drink All Day", was banned in the UK by the BBC for the inclusion of the word "bloody".[3]

Working in the 70s

[edit]

In preparing for Splinter's second album, Harder to Live, Harrison arranged for them to record at A&M Studios in Los Angeles during the late spring and early summer of 1975.[13] The band were unable to use the studio time, however, due to Purvis suffering from hay fever, apparently brought on by the LA smog.[13] Since Harrison was in town working with fellow Dark Horse acts such as Keltner's band Attitudes, he instead used the pre-booked studio time to record his own album, Extra Texture.[14][15] This would be Harrison's last Apple album.

Harrison only participated on one track on Harder to Live – a new version of "Lonely Man".[16] The original recording from 1973 remains unreleased, apart from its appearance in the Little Malcolm movie. The song was co-produced by Harrison and Tom Scott, and featured Harrison on guitar.[16][17] "Lonely Man" was a hit in Japan,[17] and, in recording a version of the song in Japanese, Splinter became the first western artists to sing in that language. They were helped to achieve this by Japanese actor and singer Masatoshi Nakamura. The Japanese single credited the song as written by B Pervis/M Evans. Another set of musicians provided backing: Chris Spedding, Waddy Wachtel and John Taylor. Recently the film "Little Malcolm" has been released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK.

Also during this period, Splinter won the Outstanding Song Award at the 1976 Yamaha World Popular Song Festival, held at the Budokan in Tokyo, with their song "Love Is Not Enough". This performance was released on an album that documented this annual song festival. As a result of this success, "Love Is Not Enough" was released as a single in Japan. This first version was produced by Tom Scott, and is a different arrangement from the one that subsequently appeared on Two Man Band.

After Two Man Band, Splinter recorded two more albums that were each released in just two countries. The first of these, Streets at Night, was issued only in Japan, in 1979. Purvis and Elliott produced and arranged this album themselves. Streets at Night featured Alan Clark, who played keyboards, synthesizers and clavinet.

During this period, Splinter were associated with the Japanese music TV station NTVM, and worked with the Japanese rock band Godiego. A single of Splinter singing the Godiego song "Ghandara" (associated with the TV show Monkey) was released, and they also appeared on a compilation album, Our Favourite Songs, a set led by members of Godiego. A single "Danger Zone" b/w "Swear to God" was released in the UK in 1979 on Barn Records.

Last albums and splitting up

[edit]

Splinter toured America briefly as an opening act for Duran Duran and other 80s British bands touring at the time.

Although the duo of Purvis and Elliott continued to perform together until 1984, Two Man Band was the last Splinter album released in most countries and their final album on Dark Horse Records.[9] Harrison is credited as co-executive producer, and played some of the guitar.[18] The main production duties were entrusted to Norbert Putnam. This album had two singles released "Round & Round" b/w "I'll Bend for You" (the latter was a non-LP track) and "Motions of Love", a double- sided promo single in 1977. "Motions" did get released in 1978 with a B side of "I Need Your Love".

The final Splinter album was Splinter, which was released in the UK in 1980 on the Bellaphon label. The album was also issued in Japan the following year under the title Sail Away, with a song called "Pigalle" used in place of "All That Love".

Splinter finally split up in 1984. In recent years, Purvis has re-emerged as a performer and composer, working for a British cancer research charity.[9]

Legacy project

[edit]

In 2019, both members of Splinter, realising their recordings were not on the market and had not been for some considerable time (except on unofficial Korean and British reissues), decided to commence a Legacy Project, thus ensuring that unreleased material will be made available to fans. In October 2020, they released Never Went Back, an album consisting of recordings of rehearsals for their 1981 tour.[19]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • 1974: The Place I Love (US Dark Horse SP 22001) (UK AMLH 22001) (Japan King AML-220)
  • 1975: Splinter (Dark Horse DH2) Promo album of acoustic demos released in plain white sleeve. Said to have been limited to 100 copies.
  • 1975: Harder to Live (US Dark Horse SP-22006) (UK AMLH 22006) (Japan King GP-270)[16]
  • 1976: World Popular Song Festival in Tokio '76 (Yamaha YL 7615)
  • 1977: Two Man Band (US Dark Horse DH 3073 or Warner K 17009 ) (UK DRC 8439) (Japan Warner P-10425D)
  • 1979: Streets at Night (Columbia YX-7228-AX)
  • 1979: Our Favourite Songs (Columbia YX-7240-AX)
  • 1980: Splinter (Bellaphon BPLP 002)
    • 1981: Sail Away (Columbia Japan YX-7292-AX; same tracks as Splinter)
  • 2020: Never Went Back (Gonzo Multimedia, Cat No 207916)

Album details

[edit]

The Place I Love

[edit]

See The Place I Love

Harder to Live

[edit]

Track listing:

  1. "Please Help Me"
  2. "Sixty Miles Too Far"
  3. "Harder to Live"
  4. "Half Way There"
  5. "Which Way Will I Get Home"
  6. "Berkley House Hotel"
  7. "After Five Years"
  8. "Green Line Bus"
  9. "Lonely Man"
  10. "What Is It (If You Never Ever Tried It Yourself)"

Two Man Band

[edit]

Track listing:

  1. "Little Girl"
  2. "Round & Round"
  3. "Baby Love"
  4. "I Apologize"
  5. "Black Friday"
  6. "New York City (Who Am I)"
  7. "I Need Your Love"
  8. "Motions of Love"
  9. "Silver"
  10. "Love Is Not Enough"

Streets At Night

[edit]

Track listing:

  1. "Streets At Night"
  2. "I Can't Turn You On"
  3. "Is It for Life"
  4. "Stateside Girl"
  5. "Evergreen"
  6. "Danger Zone"
  7. "When Will You Let Go"
  8. "Where Do I Go from Here?"
  9. "Took My Breath Away"
  10. "Flyin' Blind"

Splinter

[edit]

Track listing:

  1. "Innocent"
  2. "Plane Leaving Tokyo"
  3. "Another Time Another Place"
  4. "Too Far Down the Line"
  5. "Take It or Leave It"
  6. "Passing Through"
  7. "Touch Yet Never Feel"
  8. "Don't Leave Me Now"
  9. "All That Love"
  10. "Sailaway"

Singles

[edit]
  • 1971: "God Save Us" Bill Elliot and The Elastic Oz Band /B side "Do the Oz" Elastic Oz Band (Apple 1835)
  • 1974: "Costafine Town" / "Elly-May" (UK AMS 7135) (US DH 10002) (Japan King AM-232) (Germany 13 607 AT) – UK No. 17[11] AUS No. 16[20]
  • 1975: "Drink All Day" / "Haven't Got Time" (UK AMS 5501) (Germany 13 842 AT)
  • 1975: "China Light" / "Drink All Day" (UK AMS 5502)
  • 1975: "China Light" / "Haven't Got Time" (US DH 10003)
  • 1975: "Which Way Will I Get Home" / "Green Line Bus" (UK AMS 5503)
  • 1976: "Which Way Will I Get Home" / "What Is It" (US DH 10007)
  • 1976: "Half Way There" / "What Is It" (UK AMS 5506) AUS No. 85[20]
  • 1976: "After Five Years" / "Half Way There" (US DH 10010)
  • 1976: "Lonely Man" (in Japanese) / "Lonely Man" (Japan King CM 2006)
  • 1976: "Love Is Not Enough" / "White Shoe Weather" (Japan Warner P-77D)
  • 1977: "Sun Shine on Me" / "What Is It" (Japan Warner P-94D)
  • 1977: "Round and Round" / "I'll Bend for You" (US DRC 8439) (UK K 17009)
  • 1977: "Motions of Love" / "Motions of Love' Promo (DRC 8523)
  • 1977: "Black Friday" / "Silver" (Japan Warner P-239D)
  • 1978: "Motions of Love" / "I Need Your Love" (US DRC 8523)
  • 1978: "New York City" / "Baby Love" (UK K 17116)
  • 1978: "Taking Off / "Touch and Go" (Japan Columbia YK-113-AX)
  • 1979: "I Can't Turn You On" / "Where Do I Go from Here?" (Japan Columbia YK-115-AX)
  • 1979: "If Somewhere and Somehow" / "Gandhara" (Japan Columbia YK-129-AX)
  • 1979: "Danger Zone" /"Swear to God" (Uk Barn Records Barn 004)
  • 1981: "Touch Yet Never Feel" / "Pigalle" (Japan Columbia YH-2-AX)
  • 1981: "I Can't Turn You On" / "Touch Yet Never Feel" (Japan Columbia TD-1067) (sample only)

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Splinter (band)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Splinter was a British pop/rock duo formed in the early 1970s by vocalists and Bobby Purvis, best known for their association with and their 1974 hit single "Costafine Town." The band was discovered by Harrison's associate in a and signed as one of the inaugural acts to Harrison's label in 1973, after initial struggles at . Their debut album, The Place I Love, released in 1974, was the first official release on and was produced by Harrison (credited pseudonymously as Hari Georgeson) at his studio, featuring contributions from guests including , , and . Blending , folk, and harmonious pop influences reminiscent of and , Splinter achieved modest chart success with "Costafine Town" reaching number 17 in the UK and top 10 in , alongside singles like "Drink All Day (Got to Find Your Own Way Home)" and "China Light." Over the decade, they released four more albums on Dark Horse—Harder to Live (1975), Two Man Band (1977), Savoir Faire (1978), and Branch Out (1980)—before disbanding around 1984, though Elliott continued session work, including with in 1971. In later years, unreleased material and reissues, such as a 2023 vinyl edition of The Place I Love, revived interest in their legacy, particularly after Elliott's death in June 2021.

Background

Formation

Splinter originated in South Shields, a coastal town in North East England near Newcastle upon Tyne, where Bill Elliott and Bobby Purvis, both local musicians, formed a two-man vocal harmony group in the early 1970s. Elliott and Purvis had previously performed together in the regional rock band Half Breed (previously known as Stone Blind and briefly as Elastic Oz Band), appearing at venues such as Newcastle Mayfair and Sunderland Mecca, which provided the foundation for their partnership. In their early days, Elliott and Purvis focused on local performances and recording basic demos to hone their material, performing at small venues in the North East before seeking broader opportunities. This period solidified their close collaboration, with Purvis often handling alongside their signature harmonies.

Members

Splinter was a two-man vocal duo from , , comprising Bill Elliott and Bobby Purvis, who formed the group in the early 1970s. The pair's signature sound relied heavily on their intricate vocal harmonies, with no permanent additional members joining the lineup during their active years. , born William Elliott on July 28, 1950, in , served as the band's lead vocalist and guitarist. After Splinter disbanded in 1984, Elliott continued occasional session work in the music industry while raising a family; he later retired to . Bobby Purvis, born Robert J. Purvis on May 31, 1950, in , contributed vocals and acoustic guitar to the duo. Following the band's split, Purvis remained in and stayed involved in music. Elliott passed away on June 6, 2021, at age 70 following a short illness.

History

Early career and discovery

Formed in the early 1970s in , , by and Bobby Purvis, Splinter began performing in local music scenes around Newcastle before gaining wider attention. In 1973, the duo was discovered by , the longtime roadie and associate of , who scouted talent for and passed their demo tape to . Harrison initially found the tape "not bad" but deemed it insufficient for immediate interest, though Evans persisted by recommending them for a role in Harrison's low-budget film Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs. Splinter contributed vocals to the song "Lonely Man" for a scene in the film, which Harrison produced and financed, ultimately impressing him with their songwriting and vocal abilities. Encouraged by their performance, Harrison invited the duo to in mid-1973 for audition sessions, where they recorded early versions of "" alongside musicians like Badfinger's . These sessions led Harrison to produce their debut single and oversee album recordings, marking a pivotal shift in their career. Following the dissolution of , Splinter became the first act signed to Harrison's newly launched label in 1973, which was distributed through a partnership with ; this deal involved negotiations to secure their position amid the transition from Apple. To facilitate recording, the band relocated from their base to , where they began extended sessions at Harrison's studio, facing delays due to the producer's scheduling commitments. Prior to their major label debut, they undertook initial promotional efforts in the UK, including live appearances to build industry buzz.

Debut and 1970s breakthrough

Splinter's debut album, The Place I Love, was released in April 1974 on George Harrison's label, marking the first release from the imprint. Produced by Harrison under the pseudonym Hari Georgeson, the album was recorded over nine months primarily at his home studio in , , with additional sessions featuring a range of guest musicians including on bass, on keyboards, on drums, and guitar contributions from and Ron Wood. The tracklist blended folk-rock elements with harmonious vocals, opening with the title song and including upbeat numbers like "" alongside introspective pieces such as "," showcasing the duo's close vocal interplay and Harrison's intricate guitar arrangements. The album's lead single, "Costafine Town," released in September 1974, became Splinter's breakthrough hit, peaking at No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 16 in . Written by band members and Bob Purvis, the song evoked themes of through its wistful lyrics about fleeing to a sun-drenched coastal paradise, drawing comparisons to ' storytelling style. Critics praised it as a standout track, highlighting its melodic hooks and Harrison's polished production that amplified the duo's ethereal harmonies. Building on this momentum, Splinter released their follow-up album Harder to Live in October 1975, also on , with production led by Tom Scott and co-production by Harrison on select tracks like "." Recorded at A&M Studios in , the album reflected a maturation in the duo's songwriting, delving into themes of personal struggles and emotional resilience, as evident in the title track's raw exploration of life's hardships and tracks like "About Time" addressing relational tensions. While it achieved moderate commercial success without matching the debut's chart impact, the record solidified their reputation for introspective folk-rock. To promote their early releases, Splinter undertook and international tours in 1974 and 1975, including stops in and , while gaining visibility through appearances on shows like and live sessions at the Hippodrome in . These efforts helped cultivate a dedicated niche audience appreciative of their harmonious, Beatles-influenced sound.

Later albums and disbandment

Following their breakthrough in the mid-1970s, Splinter's output shifted toward more independent production efforts, marking a departure from the involvement of , who had co-executive produced their earlier work. The duo's 1977 album Two Man Band, released on , was primarily produced by , with Harrison contributing only in a co-executive capacity. This record incorporated elements alongside emerging influences in tracks like "Black Friday" and "Love Is Not Enough," reflecting a more commercial, radio-friendly sound amid the era's musical trends. However, it failed to achieve significant chart success or widespread promotion, becoming the last Splinter album distributed internationally by before the label's priorities shifted toward Harrison's solo endeavors. By 1979, Splinter had taken full control of their creative process for Streets at Night, which they produced and arranged themselves without external oversight. Recorded at Guardian Music Studios in , the album emphasized ballad-heavy arrangements with a natural, stripped-back sound, incorporating bluegrass touches in "Evergreen" and rockier edges in "Where Do I Go From Here?" Themes evoked urban solitude and introspective longing, as suggested by the title track's nocturnal city imagery and overall mood of quiet reflection on personal transitions. Limited to a Japan-only release on Nippon Columbia, it received minimal global exposure and no notable commercial impact, underscoring Dark Horse's waning support and the duo's struggle for broader distribution. A related single appeared on the Barn label, but it too garnered little attention. The band's final studio album, the self-titled in 1980, further highlighted their move toward self-sufficiency, produced by Jimmy Horowitz and released on Bellaphon in the UK. Characterized by mellow easy-listening and adult-contemporary styles, it explored introspective themes of emotional distance and quiet resilience in songs like "Plane Leaving " and "Too Far Down the Line," aligning with a subdued urban amid personal and relational strains. Commercial performance remained negligible, confined to limited markets including a Japanese edition on Columbia retitled Sail Away, which included a sporadic single of the same name in 1981. This lack of promotional backing from former labels, coupled with unfulfilled projects due to shifting industry priorities, contributed to the duo's fading visibility. Dark Horse's evolving focus post-1977, prioritizing Harrison's solo career over artist development, led to diminished label resources for Splinter, resulting in restricted promotion and repeated chart failures across their later releases. By the early 1980s, the duo's activities became increasingly sporadic, limited to occasional live performances and unmaterialized recording efforts amid financial pressures from low sales. Splinter disbanded in 1984 after ceasing joint performances, driven by creative divergences, economic challenges, and individual personal commitments that pulled and Bob Purvis toward separate paths while maintaining their friendship. Their final shows marked a quiet end to the initial phase of their career, with no major farewell events documented.

Revival and legacy

After disbanding in 1984, Splinter entered a long hiatus spanning nearly four decades, during which Bill Elliott and Bobby Purvis pursued individual musical endeavors outside the spotlight, while a dedicated fan base maintained interest through online communities and archival discussions.) This period saw limited public activity from the duo until the late 2010s, when renewed efforts to preserve their catalog emerged, bridging the gap to their revival. The band's revival culminated in the release of their first new album in 39 years, Never Went Back, on November 6, 2020, via the independent label Gonzo Multimedia as part of The Legacy Series Volume 1. Comprising polished recordings from rehearsals for their 1981 tour supporting Leo Sayer, the album features reflective themes centered on nostalgia, passage of time, and enduring partnership, with tracks like "Passing Through" and "Another Time Another Place" evoking introspection on their career's twists. Produced by Bobby Purvis, it captures the duo's signature close vocal harmonies in an acoustic, unplugged style, earning praise for its nostalgic appeal and demonstration of their timeless chemistry despite the years apart. Central to this resurgence was the Legacy project, launched around 2019–2020 through the official website, which serves as a comprehensive of the band's , photos, and unreleased material. The initiative facilitated several archival releases, including remastered editions of early works, and announced plans for Splinter Live in —a compilation of live recordings from 1974–1977—as The Legacy Series Volume 2 shortly after the 2020 album. Released on October 15, 2021, via the same label, the live album showcased raw performances highlighting their folk-rock energy, though its finalization was impacted by the sudden death of on June 7, 2021, from a brief illness. In the , Splinter's legacy endures through their influence on subsequent folk harmony acts, with their intricate vocal interplay—pioneered on —cited as a touchstone for duo-based acoustic pop and ensembles. Tributes have appeared in music retrospectives, and Elliott's passing prompted widespread obituaries that underscored the band's unique connection to , reigniting interest in their contributions to 1970s British folk-rock. Fan-driven efforts, including online forums and the Legacy project, have addressed the hiatus's obscurity, ensuring Splinter's harmonious sound remains accessible to new generations.

Musical style and influences

Genre and sound

Splinter's primary genre is folk rock, characterized by a blend of acoustic-driven folk traditions with pop and rock elements that emerged from the British music scene of the era. Their sound draws from the 1960s British folk revival, incorporating melodic songwriting and harmonious arrangements typical of the period's vocal-oriented acts. The duo's signature feature is their emphasis on close-harmony vocals, delivered by and Bobby Purvis, which form the emotional core of their music and evoke a sense of intimacy and craftsmanship. These harmonies are supported by acoustic guitar-led , often augmented with subtle electric rock textures, bass, and occasional session additions such as keyboards or strings to add depth and lushness without overpowering the vocal focus. Over their career, Splinter's sound evolved from the polished, pop-folk of their early Harrison-produced albums, which highlighted intricate arrangements and mainstream appeal, to a rawer, more introspective style in later self-produced works that emphasized personal and stripped-back duo dynamics. This progression reflected greater artistic while retaining their foundation.

Key collaborations

Splinter's most prominent collaboration came with , who signed the duo to his label and took an active role in their early recordings. Harrison produced their debut album, The Place I Love (1974), at his home studio, where he also contributed lead and rhythm guitar across multiple tracks, along with slide guitar and backing vocals, which significantly enhanced the album's polished sound and Beatles-esque harmonies. For their follow-up, Harder to Live (1975), Harrison served as co-producer and executive producer, playing guitar on several tracks including the title song, while the primary production was handled by Tom Scott; this involvement continued to infuse the record with high-caliber arrangements recorded at A&M Studios in . The band's early albums also featured notable session musicians from the broader rock scene, many drawn from Harrison's network. On The Place I Love, bassist and keyboardist provided key contributions, with Voormann's bass lines adding a steady groove and Preston's organ work enriching the melodic layers. Similarly, Harder to Live included drummer , whose precise rhythms supported the duo's vocal interplay, alongside keyboardist John Taylor and bassist Bill Dickinson. These partnerships brought professional expertise that elevated Splinter's sound beyond a simple vocal duo. As Splinter transitioned away from Dark Horse after 1977, their collaborations shifted toward independent producers, reflecting a more self-reliant phase. The 1977 album Two Man Band was primarily produced by , with Harrison contributing guitar as executive producer, and featured additional musicians like keyboardist and bassist himself. By the late 1970s and into 1980, releases such as Streets at Night (1979, Japan-only) and the self-titled Splinter (1980) saw the duo taking greater control, self-producing Streets at Night and working with producer Jimmy Horowitz on the latter, incorporating session players like Mel Collins on horns and pedal steel guitarist Roger Rettig. This evolution marked a departure from major-label guidance toward a DIY , allowing more direct creative input but reducing external star power. Harrison's mentorship proved pivotal, lending Splinter immediate credibility through 's prestige and exposure via Harrison's promotional efforts, which helped tracks like "Costafine Town" reach the Top 20. The post-Harrison period fostered a more autonomous approach, evident in their self-handling of later projects, including the album Never Went Back, produced entirely by and Bobby Purvis. Broader connections to circle originated with Apple road manager , who discovered the duo in 1971 and initially scouted them for before their move to , facilitating their entry into this influential network. No major external collaborations followed until the duo's self-produced revival efforts in the .

Discography

Studio albums

Splinter, the English duo consisting of and Bobby Purvis, released six studio albums over their career, spanning from their debut in 1974 to an independent comeback in 2020. The band's early output was closely tied to George Harrison's label, where the first three albums were issued, with Harrison producing the initial two efforts. Later releases shifted to RCA (in some markets Columbia or Bellaphon) before the group went independent for their final album. Original formats were primarily vinyl LPs, with subsequent CD reissues emerging in the from labels like and Greyscale, followed by digital remasters in the 2020s available on streaming platforms. The following table summarizes the band's studio albums, including release years, primary labels, and key production notes:
Album TitleRelease YearLabel(s)Key Notes
The Place I Love1974Dark Horse RecordsProduced by George Harrison; featured contributions from Harrison on guitar, Billy Preston on keyboards, and Klaus Voormann on bass. The album's lead single "Costafine Town" achieved commercial success, peaking at No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart.
Harder to Live1975Dark Horse RecordsProduced by Tom Scott with George Harrison as co-producer on select tracks; included guest appearances by Billy Preston, Jim Keltner, and Ralph MacDonald.
Two Man Band1977Dark Horse RecordsThe duo's final Dark Horse release; emphasized their vocal harmonies and acoustic elements. Reissued on CD in 2017 by Greyscale Records.
Streets at Night1979RCA Victor / ColumbiaMarked the band's move to a major label; focused on a more polished pop-rock sound. Reissued in expanded CD format in 2021 with bonus tracks.
Splinter1980RCA Victor / BellaphonSelf-titled effort serving as the band's fifth album; produced independently with a blend of rock and folk influences. Reissued on CD by Big Pink in the 2010s.
Never Went Back2020Independent (Gonzo Multimedia)Long-awaited reunion album after a 40-year gap; recorded by Elliott and Purvis, featuring 11 original tracks in a contemporary production style. Released on CD and digital formats.

Singles

Splinter released a series of singles primarily during the , with output totaling around 10 main releases on 7-inch vinyl through , focusing on the market and with minimal promotion. These singles often served to promote their studio albums, featuring B-sides that were either album tracks or non-album recordings, and many have since become available digitally via reissues and streaming platforms. Their chart success was concentrated in 1974, after which subsequent releases failed to enter major charts, mirroring the band's declining commercial trajectory.
TitleYearB-SideLabelChart Performance
Costafine Town1974Elly-MayUK No. 17; No. 16; No. 77
China Light1974Drink All Day (Got to Find Your Own Way Home)Did not chart
Which Way Will I Get Home1975Green Line BusDid not chart
1976What Is It (If You Never Ever Tried It Yourself)Did not chart
Round and Round1977Makin' UpDid not chart
Motions of Love1978I Need Your LoveDid not chart
(Who Am I)1978Baby LoveDid not chart
Danger Zone1979Swear to GodBarnDid not chart
Later singles from 1977 to 1980, such as "Black Friday" and "Sun Shine on Me," were sporadic and received limited distribution, primarily in the UK and select international markets, without notable sales or airplay.

References

  1. https://www.jpgr.co.uk/boot_gr332.html
  2. https://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/16479
  3. https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/albumconsidered/9500/splinter-the-place-i-love-considered-1974-and-introducing-hari-georgeson/
  4. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/splinter-mn0001511167
  5. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/hail-dark-horse/
  6. https://myvintagerock.com/2014/06/23/splinter-costafine-town-live-at-newcastle-city-hall/
  7. https://sacharts.wordpress.com/2022/09/07/splinter-uk/
  8. http://badcatrecords.com/SPLINTER.htm
  9. https://www.discogs.com/artist/118249-Splinter-2
  10. https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/entertainment/local/2017/01/17/sounds-splinter-blessed-by-beatles/17657164007/
  11. https://www.tumblr.com/krispyweiss/653630008015929345/splinters-bill-elliott-dies-after-sudden
  12. https://www.westcoast.dk/artists/s/splinter/
  13. https://harrisonarchive.tumblr.com/post/763248602685505536
  14. https://www.discogs.com/master/330416-Splinter-The-Place-I-Love
  15. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/splinter-costafine-town/
  16. https://bangagong.com.au/costafine-town-splinter/
  17. https://www.discogs.com/master/466087-Splinter-Harder-To-Live
  18. https://www.sessiondays.com/2021/09/1975-splinter-harder-to-live/
  19. https://www.allmusic.com/album/harder-to-live-mw0000850212
  20. https://totparchive.co.uk/artist.php?name=splinter
  21. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01jvktp
  22. https://www.discogs.com/release/1761760-Splinter-Two-Man-Band
  23. http://rarebird9.net/splinter.html
  24. https://cactusrecords.net/UPC/5060230869742
  25. https://www.discogs.com/release/3566808-Splinter-Streets-At-Night
  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/13799856-Splinter-Streets-At-Night
  27. https://www.discogs.com/release/3834902-Splinter-Splinter
  28. https://us.rarevinyl.com/products/splinter-splinter-uk-vinyl-lp-album-record-bplp002-193746
  29. https://www.splinterlegacy.com/
  30. https://www.allmusic.com/album/never-went-back-mw0003435575
  31. https://spillmagazine.com/spill-album-review-splinter-never-went-back/
  32. https://propermusic.com/products/splinter-neverwentback
  33. https://www.splinterlegacy.com/new-splinter-album-to-be-released-later-this-year/
  34. https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-england-mw0003571204
  35. https://bestclassicbands.com/musician-deaths-2021-12-10-21/
  36. http://therockasteria.blogspot.com/2017/10/splinter-harder-to-live-1975-uk.html
  37. https://www.splinterlegacy.com/news/
  38. https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/george-harrison-dark-horse-label-olivia-harrison-dhani-harrison-interview-961427/
  39. https://americana-uk.com/americana-vinyl-treasures-splinter-the-place-i-love-dark-horse-records-1974
  40. https://www.discogs.com/master/67563-Splinter-Two-Man-Band
  41. https://harrisonarchive.tumblr.com/post/763248602685505536/splinter-and-george-harrison-on-the-cover-of
  42. https://991.com/Buy/ProductListing.aspx?ArtistName=Splinter&FullDiscography=on&Sort=3&Page=1
  43. https://www.discogs.com/master/1046544-Splinter-Splinter
  44. https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/products/splinter-never-went-back-brand-new-cd-album
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/27389670-Splinter-Never-Went-Back-The-Legacy-Series-Volume-1
  46. https://www.musicvf.com/Splinter.songs
  47. https://www.discogs.com/release/1284853-Splinter-Half-Way-There
  48. https://www.discogs.com/release/1284893-Splinter-Motions-Of-Love
  49. https://www.discogs.com/release/7443133-Splinter-New-York-City-Who-Am-I
  50. https://www.discogs.com/release/7664571-Splinter-Danger-Zone
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