Not to be confused with the US outfit from James Taylor's pre-Apple Records days, this Flying Machine was the brainchild of British writers and producers Tony Macaulay and Geoff Stephens. Recorded by session musicians, "Smile A Little Smile For Me" failed to chart in the UK, but it soared to number 5 in the US in November 1969. For the purposes of touring, a group was assembled from the remnants of the British hit group, Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, wherein Anthony Newman (rhythm guitar/vocals), the sole surviving original member, was joined by Steve Jones (lead guitar), Stuart Colman (bass) and Paul Wilkinson (drums). A follow-up single version of "Baby Make It Soon", first recorded by the Marmalade, scraped the American Hot 100 the following year, but the group, somewhat ungratefully, grew frustrated with their pop-orientated style. A final single, "The Devil Has Possession Of Your Mind", suggested a change of direction, but the Flying Machine split up following its release. Stuart Colman later emerged as a noted radio broadcaster and producer of various rock 'n' roll-influenced acts.

Listen to The Flying Machine at Finetune.

• Smile a Little Smile for Me

• Herman's Hermits
• The Foundations
• Edison Lighthouse
• Tommy James & the Shondells
• The Beach Boys
• The Monkees
• The Archies
• The Lovin' Spoonful
• The Cowsills
• The Cyrkle
• White Plains
• Lou Christie
• Lulu
• The Cuff Links
• New Vaudeville Band
• Neil Sedaka
• Gary Lewis And The Playboys
• The Chiffons
• Bobby Sherman
• The Brotherhood of Man

• formsetter
• yjonno156
• libra_cusp_scorpio