The Allisons
The Allisons are one of the best-loved of all Britain's Eurovision Song Contest entries despite never having won the event; they finished second in the 1961 competition. Originally a duo of Brian Alford and John White, the roots of the Allisons sprang from the remains of a southwest London youth club band called the Shadows (again, no relation to the better-known instrumental combo). Originally performing as the Shadows Brothers, the pair were popular enough to appear on the television talent show Television Discoveries in 1958, but White quit in early 1959, and Alford attempted a solo career. By late summer 1959, however, he had teamed up with Colin Day and they took the new name -- changing their own surnames accordingly.
By 1960, the Allisons were performing at the legendary Bread Basket coffee bar, and later that year a demo tape of Alford's own compositions reached the ears of Fontana Records, which promptly entered one of the songs, "Are You Sure," for the U.K.'s Eurovision heats. Held just a month after the Allisons turned professional, the song was a runaway triumph at the regional contest, and remains one of the most deserving also-rans in the entire history of Eurovision. The single of "Are You Sure" reached number two on the U.K. chart in spring 1961, but follow-ups "Words" and "Lessons in Love" barely scratched the Top 40 and, by the mid-'60s, the duo had split. Alford continued as a songwriter, however, and occasionally convened new Allisons lineups, not only alongside Day, but also with other singers -- Mike Allison and Tony Allison both appeared alongside Alford over the years.
© Dave Thompson /TiVo
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Discography
9 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Golden Selection (Remastered)
Pop - Released by Master Tape Records on Sep 18, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Merry Christmas from The Allisons
Ambient/New Age - Released by Music Manager on Sep 16, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pop Nostalgia
Pop - Released by Old but Gold Music on Mar 11, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Allisons Presenting Are You Sure?
Pop - Released by Universal Digital Enterprises on Feb 4, 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Are You Sure
Pop - Released by Nostalgic Melody Music Production on Sep 17, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Unforgettable Legends
Pop/Rock - Released by AllisonParadise Publishing on Jul 22, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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This Is the Allisons
Pop/Rock - Released by Lightning Tears Music on Jan 21, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -