The Motels
Formed in Berkeley, California, in the early 70s, the early line-up of the Motels, originally known as the Warfield Foxes, comprised Martha Davis (b. 15 January 1951, Berkeley, California, USA; vocals), Dean Chamberlain (guitar), Robert Newman (drums) and Richard D'Andrea (bass). Relocating to Los Angeles, the band recorded a demo tape for Warner Brothers Records in 1975, but internal disagreements led to their break up. A new line-up, comprising Jeff Jourard (guitar), his brother Martin (keyboards, saxophone), Michael Goodroe (bass) and UK session drummer Brian Glascock (ex-Toe Fat), assembled for appearances at Hollywood's Whiskey club throughout July 1978, attracting a modicum of music industry interest in the process. In 1979, their stunning debut album was issued by Capitol Records. Like its remaining tracks, the hit ballad "Total Control" was produced by John Carter and composed by central figure Davis, whose eclectic tastes included blues, Broadway musicals and Stravinsky. Her onstage presence was "exceptionally charismatic", wrote The Los Angeles Times, wrongly predicting that she "could become one of the most influential female performers in rock". Her boyfriend, Tim McGovern, replaced Jeff Jourard during sessions for Careful, with a sleeve adorned with a print of a Dougie Fields painting.
Listen to The Motels
at Finetune.
Albums
- (2008) All Four One
- (2008) Classic Masters
- (2005) Essential Collection
- (1990) The Best Of The Motels: No Vacancy
Top Tracks
- Only the Lonely
- Suddenly Last Summer
- Only The Lonely (2001 Digital Remaster)
- Suddenly Last Summer (2002 Digital Remaster)
- Only The Lonely (Acoustic)
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