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Graham Parker & the Rumour

Graham Parker & the Rumour were a late 1970s Pub Rock band, where The Rumour were a recording band in their own right but also the backing unit for Graham Parker, together and separately they had quite some success.

Members of The Rumour came from a number of various pub rock bands such as Brinsley Schwarz, Ducks Deluxe and Bontemps Roulez. 

Throughout most of their existence (1975–1980), The Rumour consisted of founding members Bob Andrews (keyboards), Brinsley Schwarz (guitar), Martin Belmont (guitar), Andrew Bodnar (bass), and Stephen Goulding (drums). Lead vocals were shared amongst all group members and obviously later on with Graham Parker himself.

1979 was the peak period for the band and they had a couple of notable chart successes which I liked. 'Holdback the Night' being the first of these...


The other was 'Hey Lord don't ask me Questions'


Members of The Rumour (often, but not always, acting as a unit) also kept themselves busy during this era appearing as session musicians on various recordings issued by acts associated with pub rock and new wave. 

At various points, and on various recordings, The Rumour backed Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Carlene Carter and other acts. As well, in 1977 Bodnar and Goulding played bass and drums, respectively, on Elvis Costello's first UK chart hit









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